DI/Preamp

[hgrind]

This may be a really stupid question, but here it goes...

What does it take for a unit to "become" a preamp? Is it just high impedance inputs? If I want a preamp for my upright piezo pickup before it enters a low impedance input on a bass amp, but don't want any eq or anything like that, would a DI with high impedance input work as a preamp (such as a Countryman, Demeter VTDB-2B, Radial JDV Mk3), or does it need anyting else to be a preamp?

[improvpwnd]

A preamp will convert the signal to line-level. A DI will convert impedance similar to that of a microphone so that when plugged in to a recording console your level will be nice and strong (not trying to fight its way through all that resistance). A DI will also convert your unbalanced signal into a balanced signal so you can run longer cables without RI. They do two different jobs, however some products do both things (SansAmp BDDI for example).

[MR PC]

The Demeter works very well in front of an amp input IMHO. The 1/4" output is buffered through the tube, so you don't need a 1/4" to XLR cable for the interface.

You will need this kind of cable if you want to use the Countryman, as it's 1/4" output isn't routed through the active curcuit.

Otherwise the Countryman works great in front of an amp. Probably the best active D.I. for the money. At least it was the last time I checked.

And I do own and gig both of these going on 20 years now.