Bass DI for both active and passive basses

[FunWithBass]

Hey everone,
I was playing bass today in my church and the worship leader mentioned that he wanted to get a DI box specifically for bass (instead of using the ProCo CB-1 they use for all the other instruments). I am not sure what the WL is looking for as far as features or budget, but it would be used by several different bassists who would be using passive or active basses (as well as active with passive switch).

Seaching the threads, I saw mention of the Radial J48 for active and passive basses.

Are there any single DI boxes that you have used that worked well for both active and passive basses?

 

[ExaltBass]

I've successfully used the Radial JDI with active and passive basses both. One of the benefits is not requiring phantom power from the board.

 

[Road Hat]

I've used the Sadowsky Pre-amp/DI pedal for years and highly recommend it. I found that it works best in battery mode for recording (quiet), but the matching wall wart is good for live.

 

[MTN.bass72]

As always, I say a Noble...
Before I got rid of my Ibanez, the Noble made me actually like the ibby again.. both of my other basses are passive and it's just simple, and perfect

 

[Turn Em Loose]

Tone Hammer DI is great.

 

[FunWithBass]

Tone Hammer DI is great.

I was looking at getting the TH pedal for myself as I already have the TH500 head, and I could take it instead of taking a head and cab to church (since they are moving to a silent stage). I don't believe I can run the head without a cab (like my GK will do), at least the TH500 manual doesn't mention that option.

 

[FunWithBass]

As always, I say a Noble...
Before I got rid of my Ibanez, the Noble made me actually like the ibby again.. both of my other basses are passive and it's just simple, and perfect

Was the Ibanez an active bass?

 

[FunWithBass]

I've used the Sadowsky Pre-amp/DI pedal for years and highly recommend it. I found that it works best in battery mode for recording (quiet), but the matching wall wart is good for live.

I will have to check that out. Thanks!

 

[FunWithBass]

I've successfully used the Radial JDI with active and passive basses both. One of the benefits is not requiring phantom power from the board.

That is good to know. I have seen good posts about the JDI. Are there any issues with using phantom power (other than the board must support it)?

 

[ExaltBass]

That is good to know. I have seen good posts about the JDI. Are there any issues with using phantom power (other than the board must support it)?

I've used both and there was no that issues I found. I liked the JDI best because of its flexibility. It has a Jensen transformer (like the one in my Noble) which is one of the best, and it is affordable. I've also owned/used, and loved, a Sadowsky outboard pre, the 3Leaf Audio Enabler (out of production, sadly), ToneBone BassBone,, SansAmp and a couple of others. For a basic piece of church gear the JDI is economical, and pretty fool-proof. If you have a number of bassists who are rotating in, simplicity is king. If they are more tech-savvy, they probably will bring their own. Hope this helps.

 

[MTN.bass72]

Was the Ibanez an active bass?

Yes it was

 

[micguy]

A radial JDI works OK, but a J48 will give you more level. As a FOH guy, I've worked with both, and either is fine (I own both), but if I get the choice, it's the J48. I just feel more secure not having to add a lot of gain that the JDI requires.

 

[Grumry]

That is good to know. I have seen good posts about the JDI. Are there any issues with using phantom power (other than the board must support it)?

Giving it phantom power will not hurt it, it just isn't required to pass signal.

 

[Lo-E]

Both the J48 and JDI are great for bass and both play nice with both active and passive basses.

I'd also recommend the old industry standard: the Countryman Type 85. It's not dedigned specifically for bass (or any instrument) but works great for active or passive basses and doesn't color the sound at all. It may not be the latest thing, but it's bomb-proof reliable and you've probably heard one on thousends of bass tracks recorded over the past 35 years and countless concerts.

 

[fourtet102]

Mesa Preamp/DI - winner IMO

 

[Doner Designs]

I have used a Radial JDI with both.

 

[BassmusM6674]

I was looking at getting the TH pedal for myself as I already have the TH500 head, and I could take it instead of taking a head and cab to church (since they are moving to a silent stage). I don't believe I can run the head without a cab (like my GK will do), at least the TH500 manual doesn't mention that option.

You can run the TH500 without a speaker. It specifically mentions it in the manual. See the top paragraph on page 4 of the manual..

 

[scarekrow]

My vote is the Rupert Neve DI. It runs very quiet. It is phantom powered only; no batteries or converter plug.
I've been very impressed with this straight into the UAD channel. Fender P, MM Stingray, Mike Lull ++ flats or rounds, pick or fingers... They all sound super sweet thru the RNDI. Add a pinch of limiter like the LA2A and run with it.

Rupert Neve Designs RNDI Active Transformer Direct Interface

 

[electracoyote]

I've used the Sadowsky Pre-amp/DI pedal for years and highly recommend it. I found that it works best in battery mode for recording (quiet), but the matching wall wart is good for live.

I used to keep one of these on my pedalboard. You can switch it back and forth from active to passive. I used it with passive basses if I wanted to get a more modern active tone from them. Brilliant DI/pre amp.

 

[Turn Em Loose]

I was looking at getting the TH pedal for myself as I already have the TH500 head, and I could take it instead of taking a head and cab to church (since they are moving to a silent stage). I don't believe I can run the head without a cab (like my GK will do), at least the TH500 manual doesn't mention that option.

You might be able to use the TH500? Contact Aguilar and find out. If you can use the TH500 you're all set!