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DI Level Control - Necessary? New Poll

Is a DI Level control an important feature, based on your experience?

  • Yes, I use a DI level often and consider it a must have on a high end amplifier.

    Votes: 99 48.3%

  • No. I've never needed to adjust my DI level and could care less if an amp has one or not.

    Votes: 83 40.5%

  • What's a DI level control?

    Votes: 23 11.2%
  • Total voters
    205
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R Baer

R Baer

Supporting Member
Commercial User
Jun 5, 2008
2,869
2,304
www.baeramps.com
Disclosures
President, Baer Amplification
#1
Hey TB,
I want to get your opinion on the importance of having a DI level control on your amplifier. Right now we are including one on our amp, but I have been toying with the idea of dropping it, in the name of simplification and reducing cost. Personally, in over 30 years of playing, I can only think of maybe a couple times, when a sound engineer has asked me to adjust the level coming from my DI, so IMO, it's a fairly unnecessary feature, but I wanted to put it out there and see if any of you find this a must have feature on an amp.

So, here's the question: Is a DI Level control on an amplifier an important feature to you?
 
#2
Never saw the use of a DI level control. All but the cheapest of boards have input pad controls that can handle literally any mic or line level signal.

I guess there are some bands playing local bars and such that have everything going though the front of house with no sound person, but even then, adjusting front of house volume from the stage seems to be a fool's errand.

My guess is, anyone who would purchase a high end, boutique amp like yours would have no need for that control.

IMO.
 
#5
It's not important to me unless the signal was so hot or weak that it was difficult to get a good clean/strong signal to the console.

Most everything else I own does not have a level control and it has never been an issue.
 
#11
thatbasskid597 said:
Where do you guys think would be a good spot to set it? I usually run it at noon on my 1001 RB-II. I've never had a soundman comment on it, so I wasn't sure.
Click to expand...

In a club setting, I always ask whoever is working sound. I'll say "how's my DI level, do you need more or less?" then if you don't get feedback from the sound person, just leave it.

I used to have the MOST difficulties with my Mesa 400+, where I used to get complaints of it being way too hot even padded back. Many recordings I heard off of the board showed distortion on the line...I wished I had a level control on that one.
 
#12
MichaelIncledon said:
In years of playing and FOH sound duties, i've never needed it. In fact, the fewer the number of things the guy on stage has to monkey with (that have virtually no impact on tone) the better.
Click to expand...

defeated by a trim knob, eh?
hopefully you won't ever run sound in our state so as to not accidentally run into you. :)
 
#14
billfitzmaurice said:
Murphy's Law Correllary: The first guy to buy one without it will end up needing it. :D
Click to expand...

This is absolutely correct.

Is the level control you're currently using a purely passive control? If it is, then is it gives maximum transparency at 100%? As opposed to an active control where maximum transparency is at a detent at noon?

Big generalization here... What's always bothered me at foh is having noise from a cranked active di level, and no one knows why... then we have a bunch of noise in the amp di and end up using a di straight off the bass, which is not completely awesome. :p

My personal preference would be for either a pad or a passive level control, and instructions to always leave it at 100%. I can't imagine ever needing a boost at the di. Proper gain staging is magical, after all.
 
#16
The DI level control on my amp is at 7. It's always at 7. The reason it's at 7 is that I don't like to crank stuff like that up all the way to 10. If there was no knob, I wouldn't be too worried about it. My DI box doesn't have a level control.....
 
#17
I agree with Burningskies on the 400+. I could never use its DI as every techie would say it was too hot. My SVT VR one has a level control which is basically set once and forget, I set it on the first gig and have never touched it since.
 
#18
billfitzmaurice said:
Murphy's Law Correllary: The first guy to buy one without it will end up needing it. :D
Click to expand...

:D Also, I guess I've also ignored that fact that many 'feel' they need it, or that it in some way indicates a 'better' DI.

Hard decision for an amp manufacturer to make. On only the pure merits, I would eliminate it from the build if there was a cost or 'space' reason for doing so. However, the perception of the customer is a powerful thing. I assume this is why Roger is asking the question.
 
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