Venue DI

[neddyrow]

Anyone using the L.R. Baggs Venue DI? I have been using my K&K rockabilly pickup instead of my mics lately and the venue looks exactly like what I need. I like the onboard tuner and boost option with all the other standard preamp features. I did read some reviews saying it's not super rugged but I saw Sam Grisman using one at GreyFox this summer so I am hoping its got to be decent. Let me know what you guys think before I drop $300.

[Jeremy Darrow]

I haven't used it a lot myself, but I work often with a few folks who do and they really like it. I've played with it a few times myself and have been impressed, I use Baggs' Para-Acoustic DI and love it. The Venue has similar controls, but more of them. The volume boost is handy and the tuner works well. There's not much more that you need in a bass rig. I haven't seen one break over two years of steady touring, so I think they're sturdy enough. My only complaint is that it can't run on phantom power.

[Clarkybass]

I used one for some time in my current band (folk/blues/flamenco; playing double bass) and in my previous band (swamp blues; playing a Baby Bass) and I thought it was an excellent piece of kit. The tuner and boost are very useful. My only gripe - and the reason I sold mine - was that the EQ is a bit too complex for me. Less is more where I'm concerned, especially for something thats destined for stage (rather than recording) use.

[neddyrow]

Thanks! I see that it is quite heavy in the EQ department. I too wish that was simpler there and could provide rather than run on phantom power like the headway or para acoustic. That way I could use it for my mics as well.

[Stereo Joe]

I can chime in here. I've been using the Venue D.I. for almost a month now and I'm very happy with it. I was using it between an Underwood pickup and A.I. Ten2 combo. It made a huge difference in getting rid of the nasal piezo sound from the Underwood but I did have to experiment quite a bit with the tone controls. I've since switched to a Rev Solo pickup into the Venue/AI and the sound is even better. I have much less need to EQ for just a basic sound.

Speaking of EQ, I find that the Venue DI has lots of knobs to twiddle with but the tone shaping tends to be more subtle than drastic (which I prefer). There is a lot of power in the EQ but the range on the knobs seems to lean more towards making fine adjustments. Drastic changes require really cranking the knobs.

Build quality seems decent. The case is metal and the knobs have a firm feel. There is lots of rubber-ish non-stick material on the bottom of the pedal so it can sit on top of my angled Ten2 without slipping. The week spot is likely going to be the plastic battery door which is slightly loose already (and I don't even use it). It comes with a cheap but functional carry case that helps protect it.

The foot switches work well but have an audible mechanical 'click' when engaged.

The tuner is adequate - not the quickest at tracking but enough to keep me happy, especially since I don't have to bring a separate tuner with me.

I haven't really used the notch filter or the boost much but they seem to do what they're supposed to.

Overall, I'd say I'm happy with the Venue DI. It would be a better deal if the tuner was better or the price was $75 cheaper but I still feel it was a worthwhile purchase. I prefer its feature set to the Headway EDB-1 (which is a great-sounding and all-around awesome preamp) but that's because any blending I do occurs at my amp and not at the preamp. I haven't done a slab gig since I got the Venue DI but I'm hoping it will work in that scenario as well to replace my Para Driver DI.

Hope that helps!

[neddyrow]

Thanks joe!

I'm getting one today. Appreciate the info.