Active or Passive DI

[pshep68]

Hi,
I have a 4 string Fender American Jazz with DiMarzio DP123 pups. Can you folks suggest a good DI? I didn't want a unit with a preamp. Should I be looking for an active or passive Di?

 

[kucor]

Klark Teknik Dn100.

 

[pfschim]

I went through this search earlier this year. Got tired of using whatever DI the Backline sound company would throw at me.
I've been having great results with the old stand-by Countryman Type 85. Handles Line/instrument and Speaker level input if that matters to you. I use it both ways. Bass - DI - FOH or Bass - Tube Amp - Speaker out - FOH

There is also the legendary REDDI too. Several on TB classified right now (I'm not affiliated with any seller)

Also the Tech21 bass DI products are well known and get a lot of love too.

lots to choose from.
good luck

 

[Al Kraft]

It's hard to go wrong with the Countryman 85, especially for the money. I'd say that in many ways it enjoys the same kind of legendary reputation as the Fender Jazz Bass itself.

 

[Gearhead17]

Radial JDI (Passive) perfect for Active Basses, not so much with passive basses.
Radial J48 (Active) perfect for passive basses and works well with active basses.

Those are two good ones.

 

[seanm]

You probably want an active DI with a passive bass. A passive DI can load down the bass a bit and cut highs.

I use the Countryman 85, but the Radial J48 is just as good. I believe they are about the same price.

I prefer to run the Countryman from phantom power. If the band provides the PA and uses a low-end mixer, make sure it can provide 48V. My old Yamaha could not and the Countryman would not work without batteries.

 

[4Mal]

I would try to AB a passive like the Radial Pro and an active like the Countryman, Radial or DBX DI 12.

active and passive have different characters. You might prefer one or the other

 

[Ulf_Hansson]

I have a Radial J48 which sounds good with all my basses. (It is active.) Usually I go with what the engineers bring me, but bringing your own DI is always a nice backup.

 

[taylor16]

Just make sure I'm clear on this- if a DI is placed after something that buffers the signal, such as a compressor/limiter or even a simple Polytune tuner, the signal essentially is "active" and buffered and one could theoretically use a passive DI with optimal results?

 

[Al Kraft]

Just make sure I'm clear on this- if a DI is placed after something that buffers the signal, such as a compressor/limiter or even a simple Polytune tuner, the signal essentially is "active" and buffered and one could theoretically use a passive DI with optimal results?

I'm no expert on all the possible pedal and buffer/bypass combinations, but let me say that some pedals (like a tuner or other occasional use only effect) may only act as a buffer when the pedal/effect is engaged. For instance, the Polytune if I recall is true bybass and so theoretically it should act as if it wasn't even there if it is switched off. In contrast, I believe most Boss pedals in fact have a buffered bypass.

If you have a bass with active pickups/on-board preamp or are using something like an external preamp then you have the "buffer benefit" already covered. I think there is a section on the Ovnilabs site under FAQs that may be helpful to get more insight.