A Built-In DI?

mrtn400 · #1 01-30-2009, 11:32 PM

Has anyone on here thought about, or seen for that matter, a bass that's had a passive DI modded into it?

I've thought about modding one into my bass and then one into my preamp, and adding in an XLR or TRS jack, to try to reduce hum, but do you think it's feasible? It'd only cost me about $60.

20db pad · #2 01-30-2009, 11:46 PM

It's been done for decades, but usually in a very select number of really high-end basses. I've seen Alembic, Wal, and Jaydee basses equipped with XLR outs. The idea didn't seem to capture the imagination or attention of most bassists, as standard 1/4" cabling and jacks do a pretty good job, all things considered.

Anthony Jackson's personal Fodera Anthony Jackson Contrabass has an XLR out and no other jack at all. He chose this arrangement so he could plug into the high quality audio preamps he prefers to use.

CoffeeBass · #3 01-31-2009, 12:03 AM

Let me begin by saying that I have a very limited understanding of how DIs work. It would seem that a passive DI is basically a transformer to an XLR out. Is this correct? So, would you be mounting the transformer internally? I have been considering this preamp from Artec (http://www.artecsound.com/acou/image...er-blender.pdf) for a build I am working on and it has the option of being configured with an xlr out. Is this the same? Is a transformers only purpose to..um..transform..the signal from unbalanced to balanced XLR?

I hope this is not Hijacking this thread, I am really interested in having my DI built into the bass and also building my own DI box/preamp thingy.

Coffee

mrtn400 · #4 01-31-2009, 01:30 AM

A DI takes a signal and converts it to a low impedance, balanced signal, which greatly lowers noise and signal loss over long distances. But yeah, I'm thinking about gutting a passive DI and mounting it in my bass.

Only get the XLR out on your preamp if everything else (or at least the majority) in your rack uses XLRs.

cnltb · #5 01-31-2009, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 20db pad

Anthony Jackson's personal Fodera Anthony Jackson Contrabass has an XLR out and no other jack at all. He chose this arrangement so he could plug into the high quality audio preamps he prefers to use.

He uses a DI before the pre tho...which he could do , using a standard 1/4" instrument jack.
My guess is that it was more about the more secure connection offered by xlr , over standard non locking 1/4 inch sockets.

JustDavid · #6 01-31-2009, 08:16 AM

Having the onboard DI feed a TRS output jack would minimize the carving required. Might want a TRS/XLR cable, depending on what you are feeding your signal into.

Whether this reduces hum or not depends on where the hum is coming from.

Aurel · #7 01-31-2009, 08:40 AM

For those who use active basses it might also be possible to power the internal preamp with the XLR cable when plugged on a mixing board.

AndroWal · #8 01-31-2009, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aurel

For those who use active basses it might also be possible to power the internal preamp with the XLR cable when plugged on a mixing board.

With our Wals, the XLR only functions if the 1/4 is inserted to turn-on the power...ie the XLR doesn't function on its own.

JustDavid · #9 01-31-2009, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndroWal

With our Wals, the XLR only functions if the 1/4 is inserted to turn-on the power...ie the XLR doesn't function on its own.

You could rig up a 1/4" jack that's connected to a Wal wart.

Seriously though, all you'd need is a 1/4" TS jack part & could cut off everything that clears the bass body. Just leave enough to readily pull the chopped connector out.

deaf pea · #10 01-31-2009, 10:59 AM

My '59 Pbass had a Jensen DB-E/XLR-3 "built-in direct box" in it for more than 25 years . . . I just recently removed it ( a couple'a years ago), thinking of selling the bass . . . but then I decided NOT to sell . . .

mrtn400 · #11 01-31-2009, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deaf pea

My '59 Pbass had a Jensen DB-E/XLR-3 "built-in direct box" in it for more than 25 years . . . I just recently removed it ( a couple'a years ago), thinking of selling the bass . . . but then I decided NOT to sell . . .

Those DB-Es look like the best solution. A 1"x1" passive DI with just leads is something I didn't even expect to see.

Showdown · #12 01-31-2009, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndroWal

With our Wals, the XLR only functions if the 1/4 is inserted to turn-on the power...ie the XLR doesn't function on its own.

I use to have an Epiphone ABG like that, but it came with a dummy plug to insert into the 1/4 if you just wanted to use the XLR. You could do the same thing by just buying a 1/4 connector and inserting it into the jack.

deaf pea · #13 02-02-2009, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrtn400

Those DB-Es look like the best solution. A 1"x1" passive DI with just leads is something I didn't even expect to see.

But JUST the DB-E will cost you more than your $60 "estimate" . . .

mrtn400 · #14 02-02-2009, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deaf pea

But JUST the DB-E will cost you more than your $60 "estimate" . . .

I bookmarked a site with the encased model for only $59.99.

Then I can just buy any passive DI with a good signal response to set on my amp.