Looking for recommendations on DI box

felixthejazzcat · #1 10-05-2009, 10:01 PM

Hi All,

This is my first post on Talkbass. I recently started playing again, and I'm looking for recommendations on a direct input box. I'm looking for high clarity in tone, with good string separation and lots of detail. My bass is a fretless with Aero Instrument J-4 pickups.

Thanks!

FelixTheJazzCat

bongomania · #2 10-05-2009, 10:15 PM

Welcome to TB. There are hundreds of threads recommending DI's with lots of pro and con discussion, so you'll want to do some reading.

That said, the "industry standards" are the Radial JDI, Radial J48, Countryman Type 85, and BSS AR-133.

At a higher price point, you might like the Avalon U5.

JimmyM · #3 10-06-2009, 12:54 AM

DI's are just like amps...you can pay a lot or pay a little. The cheapest usable ones start at around $150. You are probably looking at the $500+ range to get what you want. Avalon U5 is somewhat of a standard for clarity at that price range. Also, bass preamps like Demeter, Mike Pope, Warwick Hellborg, Kern, Summit, Universal Audio, and a handful I'm forgetting are really nice for clarity as well plus they have tone shaping. But don't sell the $150 DIs and preamps short. They've been on a lot of hit records and a lot of them are very clear. But the U5 is probably the most used in the higher price ranges.

bakjewel · #4 10-06-2009, 04:30 AM

Behringer's BDI21 is $50

DavC · #5 10-08-2009, 09:33 PM

very happy using my Aguilar Tone Hammer ....

i power it from the mixers Phantom Power ... no 9 volts needed ..!

i believe there's used ones around here ...

and other preamps w/some tone control ... EBS , Sadowsky and others already mentioned .. and you can choose from FET or Op Amp circuits , or tubes ..or hybrid mixes of those .

i think it depends on the other price points surrounding the bass/project ... i wouldn't usually run a $5k bass thru a $50 DI ... ( but if it makes the right sound ..!! ) ...

or i wouldn't spend $500 on a DI to run a dirt cheap bass thru ..?? you get the picture ... i'd try to get the sound YOU like within a reasonable price range for the application .!?

DC

Craig_S · #6 10-08-2009, 11:19 PM

U5s are the $#!+. I've used one several times, in the studio. I haven't used my countryman to record anything, but it sounds great live.

fretlessrock · #7 10-10-2009, 10:55 AM

I like the Radial ProDI and ProD2 for a passive DI, and I have been using the Radial Bassbone and it has a very good DI section. I'd try to narrow it down to passive or active DI, and if active, whether or not you want any gain or tone shaping sections. Pretty much anything with a balance XLR output at mic level can claim to be a DI. There is such a wide variety of gear that fits the bill that it is impossible to say "best" about any of them.

Jim Carr · #8 10-10-2009, 04:28 PM

For a direct injection box, I like the Countryman type 85. It is great for electric bass and also for high impedance upright pickups. I use one on stage several times a week.

http://www.zzounds.com/item--CTYTYPE85

these_go211 · #9 10-10-2009, 09:32 PM

+1 on the countryman 85. i think it's less than $200. while the avalon U5 is a great piece of kit you sure don't need to spend $500+ for a good di. if you have a good sounding bass, playing thru the countryman will highlight that.