DI Question (Relating to my last thread)

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Okay, this relates to my "effects loop isn't recording" thread.

I'm looking for the simplest solution to my issue. I have a rackmount looper that only takes line level signal and the audio in/outs only accept unbalanced tip sleeve (ie instrument cables). The output is also line level.

The Direct Out on my amp is pre-fx loop, so the looper does not record when in the effects loop. Also, the effects loop does not have an adjustable output, and the looper is not receiving enough input so there is a fair amount of hiss. I can probably have the amp adjusted by a tech, but I'd like to see if there is a way I can avoid that.

Seeing as how I know nothing about DI boxes , I was curious if I could do either of these things with a DI or other similar SMALL device:
1. Send the signal from my bass into a DI, which could convert the signal to line level, send it to the looper with unbalanced instrument cables, have the looper return the signal to the DI, and then have the DI send an instrument level signal to the amp.
Or
2. Have the Direct Out of my amp go into a DI box, have the box send unbalanced instrument cable outs to the looper (at line level), return the signal to the box, and then send the signal on it's way to my mixer or straight to my Delta 44.

Any other suggestions if neither of these would work would be great. If either would work, any suggestions as to what particular type of DI to get would be great as well. I basically need to get a non-buffered line level output to the looper if I want to avoid taking my amp to a tech. I'm getting a Boss VF-1 in the mail this week and I can try routing through that, but I wanted to see if there was another way I could solve these issues.

I would like to avoid using my mixer for any step in this process up until it being the last link in the chain going straight out to my Delta 44.

[James Hart]

do you have a "Preamp Out" and a "Poweramp In"? You could tap it there with a DI.

other than that I don't know.... I'm far to envious of your Looperlative to pay attention to your theads

[seanm]

Think of a DI as a transformer. It takes an unbalanced instrument level and produces a balanced instrument level signal.

Have you tried just gettting some form of booster and putting it in front of the looper in the effects loop? Try the booster by itself first to make sure it dosen't distort at line levels.

[emils]

Can you go from FX out to the looper and then from looper out to your mixer and on to the sound card. FX out should be at line level and the signal should be strong enough not to create any hiss. Just a thought.

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Originally Posted by James Hart

do you have a "Preamp Out" and a "Poweramp In"? You could tap it there with a DI.

I've got a preamp out but no power amp in.

Originally Posted by seanm

Think of a DI as a transformer. It takes an unbalanced instrument level and produces a balanced instrument level signal.

Have you tried just gettting some form of booster and putting it in front of the looper in the effects loop? Try the booster by itself first to make sure it dosen't distort at line levels.

I haven't tried that yet, although I've thought of it. Bill Fitzmaurice advised that it might be self-defeating as adding new gear to the chain always adds noise, and suggested going to a tech. Unfortunately, with my being unable to drive and my wife unable to walk after ankle surgery, it's far easier for me to order a piece of equipment than it is to get out of the house to the next town over.

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Originally Posted by emils

Can you go from FX out to the looper and then from looper out to your mixer and on to the sound card. FX out should be at line level and the signal should be strong enough not to create any hiss. Just a thought.

As I said in the first post though, it's not- the signal going out is not strong enough. The Looperlative has an input meter showing how much is going into it, and it's not at a very high level.

[seanm]

Did you try it in the effects loop with both series and parallel?

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Yup.

[emils]

What about preamp out to looper and on to the mixer and soundcard?

[niftydog]

A DI won't normally produce line level outputs or accept line level inputs.

You need some kind of external FX looping device that works the way your amp is supposed to work. (ie; the direct out should be post FX!) [That's got me totally confused!]

I suggested you use one output of the looper to feed your amps FX loop, and one to send to the mixing desk. That's similar to using the direct out, only you're getting an unbalanced line level signal to the mixing desk.

[anderbass]

You need a amp with a F/X loop to use a line level F/X device correctly.

[Bryan R. Tyler]

My amp has an effects loop, as I previously mentioned.