DI to match wit Underwood

[tito mangialajo]

I have some problem with the balanced xlr output (pre and post eq) of my 20 years old GKMB200. it makes a bad noise, too bad for the sound guys.
I decided to buy a DI that can match well with my Underwood, so I will plug the Underwood in the DI and will give an xlr output from DI to PA and link jack output to input of GK whe i need. sometimes I can only run to DI - PA and monitor. any suggestion for a DI for my purpose?

[bopeuph]

I've used DI boxes provided by the sound guy and they were fine. Also, my S-Direct works fine, too. I don't think you need to get a special DI at all. The underwood is a decent enough pickup that it shouldn't matter.

Nick

[Marc Piane]

I use the Fishman Platinum EQ which has an XLR out. Has a few handy features (EQ, HPF, phase switch) and a switch that will make them either pre or post XLR out. Can be handy if the soundman is having trouble with your sound. I've used the ones provided by the house and they are fine too.

[Francois Blais]

Just make sure the input impedance is at least 1 mega-ohms.

[Michael Glynn]

I'm using the Tech21 Sansamp bass driver DI and I think it works great with the Underwood. I'm using it as a preamp and running it into the effects return of my AI clarus. The Underwood sounds much better this way than it did through the AI preamp.

Originally Posted by bopeuph

I've used DI boxes provided by the sound guy and they were fine...I don't think you need to get a special DI at all. The underwood is a decent enough pickup that it shouldn't matter.

I don't entirely agree with this. If the sound guy has any kind of decent active DI, it should be fine, but on occasion I've had guys use a passive DI (much lower impedance) and the bass can end up sounding like an electric banjo. As Francois suggests, high impedance is important.

[Jason Hollar]

Countryman.

[Rvl]

I use the Countryman too.
It has a 10M ohm input

Thanks

Robert VanLane

[mstclairmiller]

If the sound guy has any kind of decent active DI, it should be fine, but on occasion I've had guys use a passive DI (much lower impedance) and the bass can end up sounding like an electric banjo. As Francois suggests, high impedance is important.

+1 - "electric banjo' sums it up nicely. I wondered for ages why some DIs sound like crap and some sound great, then I bought an AI amp and forgot about this problem with my Underwood.

[bopeuph]

Originally Posted by Michael Glynn

I don't entirely agree with this. If the sound guy has any kind of decent active DI, it should be fine, but on occasion I've had guys use a passive DI (much lower impedance) and the bass can end up sounding like an electric banjo. As Francois suggests, high impedance is important.

Another clue to this might be because I use fdeck's HPF. I played a musical at the local performing arts center, and they used passive DIs. They looked like serious boxes, though, and I had the HPF in the chain. I got a lot of compliments that night, though, I never heard myself through the house.

Nick

[Francois Blais]

The HPF is a great unit, but more a preamp than a DI.
It doesn't have a XLR output. (yet)

[Marc Piane]

Originally Posted by Michael Glynn

I'm using the Tech21 Sansamp bass driver DI and I think it works great with the Underwood. I'm using it as a preamp and running it into the effects return of my AI clarus. The Underwood sounds much better this way than it did through the AI preamp.

Gotta try that. I recently got a Clarus used and while I like the power and portability the tone is not killin' me. Did you try running the Sansamp straight into the regular input? I tried that and got a decent soound. I guess the question is... what is the advantage to bypassing the AI pre.

[Rvl]

I sometimes use the original Sansamp
I guess they call it Sansamp Classic now
It helps me warm up , smooth out or add a little bass to piezo`s. But I tried out the newer Sansamp Di and didnt like it as much.
I would be interested if anyone uses the Classic one and wants to discuss their micro switches settings

But I am looking for fdeck's HPF , unfortunately he wont sell to Japan

Thanks

Robert VanLane

[Michael Glynn]

Originally Posted by fingers

Gotta try that. I recently got a Clarus used and while I like the power and portability the tone is not killin' me. Did you try running the Sansamp straight into the regular input? I tried that and got a decent soound. I guess the question is... what is the advantage to bypassing the AI pre.

I did try the Sansamp into the regular input. I don't think there is much difference if you leave the AI EQ flat. The main reason I am running it the Sansamp into the effects return is that I am running a mic into the AI pre. I suppose it also keeps the signal path shorter by not going through a second preamp/EQ, which might be a good thing.

I was actually using a whole bunch of different equipment (Full Circle, DTAR Solstice, other stuff) that all died in the space of a couple of months. I pulled out all of my old gear and tried various combinations to get the best sound. I ended up with my 15-year old Underwood through the Sansamp (that I used for electric bass) into the effects return, mixed with a Audio-Technica ATM25 (wrapped in a towel, wedged under the tailpiece) into a XLR-1/4" converter/transformer into the AI pre input. I never would have guessed that this would sound as good as it does. Anyway, if you have an single channel AI, and a stand alone Pre with EQ, this is a good way to mix a (dynamic) mic and pickup without having to buy a separate mixer or upgrade to the 2 channel clarus. I tried the other way (mic into sansamp, pickup into AI pre) and it was not as good. I felt that the mic was better with the cleanest pre, while the Underwood benefited from some of the faux-tube sound of the Sansamp.

[Marc Piane]

Originally Posted by Michael Glynn

Anyway, if you have an single channel AI, and a stand alone Pre with EQ, this is a good way to mix a (dynamic) mic and pickup without having to buy a separate mixer or upgrade to the 2 channel clarus. I tried the other way (mic into sansamp, pickup into AI pre) and it was not as good. I felt that the mic was better with the cleanest pre, while the Underwood benefited from some of the faux-tube sound of the Sansamp.

Wow. Cool idea. You are much smarter than I am. Mine is the single channel. I'm gonna have to try this. Sweet.

[Francois Blais]

Originally Posted by Rvl

But I am looking for fdeck's HPF , unfortunately he wont sell to Japan

Thanks

Robert VanLane

I think he still needs to get CE certification to be able to export to Europe and the like.

Regards,
François

[Rvl]

Originally Posted by francois

I think he still needs to get CE certification to be able to export to Europe and the like.

Regards,
François

But they can be shipped to Japan as a personal import
I understand(from Ken Smith) that Europe has become quite strict about certification
So I am hoping that one of fdeck's HPF pops up used and I will pounce on it

Thanks

Robert

[Francois Blais]

Check the Classifieds regularly.
I've seen a couple ads in the past months.

[Marc Piane]

Originally Posted by Michael Glynn

I ended up with my 15-year old Underwood through the Sansamp (that I used for electric bass) into the effects return, mixed with a Audio-Technica ATM25 (wrapped in a towel, wedged under the tailpiece) into a XLR-1/4" converter/transformer into the AI pre input. I never would have guessed that this would sound as good as it does. Anyway, if you have an single channel AI, and a stand alone Pre with EQ, this is a good way to mix a (dynamic) mic and pickup without having to buy a separate mixer or upgrade to the 2 channel clarus.

So I tried this and it works well!!! Question though. Is there any danger of damaging the amp this way? I hope not.

[tito mangialajo]

I ended up with my 15-year old Underwood through the Sansamp (that I used for electric bass) into the effects return, mixed with a Audio-Technica ATM25 (wrapped in a towel, wedged under the tailpiece) into a XLR-1/4" converter/transformer into the AI pre input. I never would have guessed that this would sound as good as it does. Anyway, if you have an single channel AI, and a stand alone Pre with EQ, this is a good way to mix a (dynamic) mic and pickup without having to buy a separate mixer or upgrade to the 2 channel clarus. I tried the other way (mic into sansamp, pickup into AI pre) and it was not as good. I felt that the mic was better with the cleanest pre, while the Underwood benefited from some of the faux-tube sound of the Sansamp.[/quote]

Very interesting. Where can I find an XLR-1/4 converter/transformer?
Can you suggest to me the brand and model of your so can I search it on the WEB?

[Marc Piane]

I really like Mike's idea a bunch. I still am wondering though if is there any danger of damaging the amp this way?