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Any Radial JDV mk5 Users? Opinions?

Pat C.

Pat C.

Jan 1, 2005
979
871
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
patrickcognitore.com
#1
I'm looking to upgrade my DI, currently a near 20-year-old passive Whirlwind Imp 2. I also am looking to add a HPF to my signal chain for speaker protection and rumble clean-up, so I had the Fdeck S3 in my sights.

The [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] seems like a perfect solution. It's a super high quality active DI with adjustable HPF, adjustable impedance (drag), two blendable inputs (including compatibility with microphones and/or piezo pickups) and phase adjustment.

It would see primary use for my passive electric bass for recording and live use. And while I have a separate pre-amp and DI for my upright bass (Fishman Platinum Pro) the Radial has more than enough capability to handle any various DB signals as well.

Only downside - cost (~$450). But if I'm already looking at dropping ~$200 on a good quality DI (eg. Radial J48) plus ~$110 on an Fdeck HPF, it's not that big of a leap to the JDV, right? So, I guess my question...is it worth it? What say you, JDV users?

I know that the mk5 version of this unit is fairly new, but I'd love to hear input form anyone who has used any version of the JDV. TIA.

jdvmk5-panels-lrg.jpg
 
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#4
Very cool, thanks for linking that testing. They all sounded great, with distinct flavor differences (I just did a quick listen of the fingerstyle clips). Could be some confirmation bias on my end, but I liked the JDV the best. :p In all honesty, though, and without reading through the thread, I felt the JDV seemed to have the fullest lows and mids, but seemed a bit darker in the highs compares to the mic and 2di4. The JDI was similar to the JDV, and the 2di4 signal sounded the closest the mic signal, IMO. I wonder if placement in the signal chain had any effect on signal response (I'll read the thread to see if this was discussed).

Thanks for the input.

N. Kentucky Bass said:
JDV is excellent DI technology.

Here are some recordings I made comparing the quality of JDV MK3, JDI, Sonic Farm 2di4 DIs and a condenser mic in various configurations with a P-bass, fingerstyle and pick.
Sonic Farm 2di4 | Page 2 | TalkBass.com

The JDV is one of the best!
Click to expand...
 
#7
JimmyM said:
Anything will be better than the Imp 2. I've got two of them, and they are excellent for sticking under cabs to tilt them back :D
Click to expand...
Ha, agreed. I did fail to mention that I've used a Demeter VTBP201 as my main pre-amp and DI (w/ jensen) for the last 15 years or so. But I just sold my rack rig in favor of a Aguilar TH500 (which has a decent DI itself). So the JDV, if I go that way, will be my primary direct sound to the board live and when recording. I will likely be running a separate Wet DI signal from my EFX unit (Zoom B3) as well when appropriate. The Imp 2 will continue to be a back-up.
 
#8
I have a lot of DIs and the JDV is truly the cleanest of all of them.

If you really really love the sound of Your instrument in and off itself...Them no questions asked get the JDV.

I used it live for years, but I now use the Basswitch for its other features (boost and preamp for a amp less situations).
I still use one "safe line" when recording for ramping and that is the JDV.
 
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#9
TonyP- said:
If you really really love the sound of Your instrument in and off itself...Them no questions asked get the JDV.
Click to expand...
I definitely do. I've had one primary electric bass that I've used for everything for the last 17 years, and never wanted for something different. Getting the precise sound of the bass (unfortunately, with me playing it) across is exactly what I'm looking for.
 
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#10
#12
edwinhurwitz said:
I bet it's a great DI. I've thought about getting one for years, but now I've got a Grace Design Felix and my DI search is over. It's pricier, though.
Click to expand...
The Felix looks amazing. If I had looked at it before I started this whole rig overhaul I may have been tempted. It can almost take the place of my Fishman preamp and A/B Looper. But that ship has sailed and even if I get the JDV my cost for all those units combined will still be a few hundred dollars under what the Felix would have cost. And I will have a little bit more versatility and flexibility. It's amazing how once you're willing to spend a lot of money how many good options there are out there.
 
#13
Don't be too hard on yourself, the Felix is quite new! I have serial # 004. There are a couple of things I wish it had, such as a stereo insert and a stereo unbalanced parallel output. But, it looks like Alembic is putting together a stereo FET version of its F1X that will have everything I want. It's never ending!

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]


217377.jpg


217421.jpg


"The front is very much like 2 F-1X preamps, but with 2 5-pin inputs and an HF control only for the treble pickups.

The back has an additional mono input for emergencies or guests, tuner output, and each channel has effects send and return and a choice of outputs. The outputs are direct with a ground lift option, or 2 different full range outputs, one with the tone controls, and one without."




Meanwhile, I have a Grace M103 that is probably the most superb sounding DI I've ever used sitting idle. I will list that in the classifieds. It's transformerless and the low end is simply the most in phase and deep sound I've heard from a bass guitar. But, it's even MORE expensive than the Felix.
 
#15
Munjibunga said:
For me, the JDV would be serious overkill. I'd probably go with the new Bassbone instead. As it is, I like my JDIs and J48s. Simple.
Click to expand...
I had considered and rejected the Bassbone (and it's various versions) when I started building up my new rig. It just didn't quite have the features that I wanted. For example, it has two channels, but not independent DI outputs; has a high pass filter, but the frequencies are fixed (and not where I want them) and not adjustable. The Bassbone OD has overdrive, which I did not need. The Bassbone v2 was closer with it's boost switch and switchable effect loop, but still not quite there.

And now that I've already made the investment in the Fishman Platinum Pro pre-amp for my upright, and a custom A/B looper for instrument switching and true-bypass effect loop, I just need a good quality DI and high-pass filter for the electric bass (I do not need or want a tull-featured "pre-amp" at this stage of the signal chain). The J48 would be more than adequate, but lacks the HPF that I want to use with my live rig. The JDV has the HPF, in addition to adjustable input impedances, which makes it a more versatile tool for recording EB and DB. As you can see, I've given this a lot (too much?) thought.

Overkill? Yeah, a little. But possible the only tool out that has exactly what I'm looking for in one package. If there is another one out there with the same features, great sound at a lower price I'd love to hear about it.

Thanks for the input.
 
#16
edwinhurwitz said:
I bet it's a great DI. I've thought about getting one for years, but now I've got a Grace Design Felix and my DI search is over. It's pricier, though.
Click to expand...

Grace products are known for their low noise floor and uncolored sound. This is a company that doesn't skimp on the budget when it comes to design choices. Their products are excellent and well thought out. They are studio quality.

Having said that, you can't go wrong with any JDI products. Excellent sound quality and more affordable.
 
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#17
Here's what the complete live signal chain will look like when doubling. The Fishman, Zoom, and Aguilar are all in place, the A/B switcher is on order.
  • EB > JDV
    • thru to input A of switcher
    • DI out to mixer
  • DB > Fishman
    • thru to input B of switcher
    • DI out to mixer
  • Switcher efx loop send > Zoom B3 input
  • Zoom B3 output > Switcher efx loop return
  • Zoom B3 DI out > mixer
  • Switcher out to Aguilar TH500
 
#18
Update: I just ordered the JDV mk5. I'm confident that it will do exactly what I need it to.

The first use it is likely we'll see is for some home recording. It will serve as the clean signal for my electric bass. I also run a track from my tone hammer with the drive up to give it some hair. And I will have a third track from my zoom B 3 on tunes where I run effects.

Once I get some mileage on it I'll post up some samples.

Thanks everyone for your input.
 
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