Got a Rapco passive at a local music shop new for $10. No knobs or switches, and I can plug in two basses at once. Talk about no color, it doesn't even have switches! If you don't like the sound, it's still a cheap doorstop.
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Best Bass DI, where can I find shootouts?
- Thread starter ethm1
- Start date
sorry about bumping this thread, but... has anyone tried both the behringer bdi-21 and the mxr m-80 bass di+ ? i need some advice on the difference between both, if one is much better than the other, considering the price gap (behringer costs 25% of the mxr's price)... and not considering drive/distortion features of both DIs because i'll most likely use one or two pedals for that, when needed.
I have a Sansamp and a Radial Bassbone and I usually will use the Bassbone because I love the boost function for little things that I do in the songs. Works great a church and sounds (to me) much better than the GK Backline amp they typically use..
Sorry, I have the Behringer BDI21 but not the mxr m-80. I also have the SansAmp BDDI which I've A/B'd with the BDI21. As far as the DI part is concerned, I could see no difference in sound to FOH between the two boxes. The tube emulation on the other hand is a different story.
FWIW, a few months ago I bought an Aphex Punch Factory and I now use that as my DI. I send a wet signal to the FOH which sounds pretty good in the effects loop of my ashdown Mag amp
maxvalentino
Endorsing Artist Godin Guitars/ Thomastik-Infeld
I have an Avalon U5...and yes it is fantastic! But for live use I have found it just a bit big and bulky (who really wants to heft a rack just for a DI?)...so my primary DI these days is a Demeter Tube DI which is just incredible (and much smaller)...but oh, it is even more $ than the Avalon.
I also carry a JDI by Radial (their passive and active DIs are argualbly the best out there...certainly gives the "standard" Countryman type 85 (which I also have) a run for it's money).
As a note: do not scrimp on a good DI. Less expensive ones which are made with inferior transformers will only give you more headaches. Prone to buzzes....will break down...and all exhibit some serious phase issues. There are very nice DIs in the $200 market (Radial, Countryman...). And, there are more expensive ones as well (Avalon, Demeter, Aguilar, ADL, Manley). A good high quality DI should be a neccessity for any bassist who really cares about how they sound (and yes, the ones on your amp will work...but more than likely is an inferior component, and I alwys opt for a stand alone DI should the amp fail in performance--which has been known to happen). Spend the extra $ and get a DI which will fit in any situation...and give you years of worthy use.
MAx
I also carry a JDI by Radial (their passive and active DIs are argualbly the best out there...certainly gives the "standard" Countryman type 85 (which I also have) a run for it's money).
As a note: do not scrimp on a good DI. Less expensive ones which are made with inferior transformers will only give you more headaches. Prone to buzzes....will break down...and all exhibit some serious phase issues. There are very nice DIs in the $200 market (Radial, Countryman...). And, there are more expensive ones as well (Avalon, Demeter, Aguilar, ADL, Manley). A good high quality DI should be a neccessity for any bassist who really cares about how they sound (and yes, the ones on your amp will work...but more than likely is an inferior component, and I alwys opt for a stand alone DI should the amp fail in performance--which has been known to happen). Spend the extra $ and get a DI which will fit in any situation...and give you years of worthy use.
MAx
rockstarbassist
Inactive
I used to have a Radial J48 but it was a tad much when used with my Dingwall in active mode, which is what I always have it in live.
The JDI is the passive version and probably better suited for bass apps.
However, I just got an Avalon U5 yesterday, and you can't hype this unit enough.
I like it so much I'm selling my DB659 pre and using this as both my preamp AND DI.
With the 6 Tone settings, I can get exactly what the Aguilar puts out (set pretty much flat) and then some, and that's not even extending to my onboard EQ on my bass.
I have a Modulus Flea 5 coming in, so I may be adding a 1U EQ or EQ pedal before hitting my DI if it's too bright or I can't get what I want out of it, as it's only Vol/Treb/Bass as compared to all the options on my Dingwall.
We'll see.
But I plug it into my QSC amp, and then the Whappo, and wow- just tone heaven.
First unit in a LONG time I've just sat there and said "Damn".
You will too.
The JDI is the passive version and probably better suited for bass apps.
However, I just got an Avalon U5 yesterday, and you can't hype this unit enough.
I like it so much I'm selling my DB659 pre and using this as both my preamp AND DI.
With the 6 Tone settings, I can get exactly what the Aguilar puts out (set pretty much flat) and then some, and that's not even extending to my onboard EQ on my bass.
I have a Modulus Flea 5 coming in, so I may be adding a 1U EQ or EQ pedal before hitting my DI if it's too bright or I can't get what I want out of it, as it's only Vol/Treb/Bass as compared to all the options on my Dingwall.
We'll see.
But I plug it into my QSC amp, and then the Whappo, and wow- just tone heaven.
First unit in a LONG time I've just sat there and said "Damn".
You will too.
+1 on the Sansamp DI, especially if you're using a solid state amp or combo and want to add some nice tube-y texture to your sound in addition to the DI function itself.
Radial makes a great mid-level passive DI, the Radial PRO. It is cheaper than the JDI and a huge step up from the cheap "AM radio transformer" DIs. For live use I doubt anybody could tell the different between it and the JDI.
It is as well built as the JDI, but it doesn't have the Jenson transformer.
rockstarbassist
Inactive
Oh yeah, those two for the budget-conscious. But if you do anything in the studio also, it wouldn't hurt to invest in one that'll work for both apps.
bongomania
Commercial User
That's exactly how I feel about my Summit TD-100 DI. I use it as a preamp as well, and the tone is to die for.
I have a Radial JDI mkIII (the phase cohearant version) that I've been using for a few years now and i LOVE it. It's a bit lower output then some DI's i've tried but it's worth the money for tone and build quality (Just TRY and destroy it. You could kill a crazed groupie with that box) Today I just picked up the Avalon U5 and I love the thing.
Both DI's are great, but I will second the opinion above that you need to evaluate the destination before you fork out $200 on a DI. For studio work the Avalon is amazing and the Radial is pretty damn good as well, but you can't really justify those costs if you primarily play live into a typical 'institutional' PA. For that app, the <$100 Radial ProDI, Contryman, ProCo or Whirlwind DI's are your best best.
Both DI's are great, but I will second the opinion above that you need to evaluate the destination before you fork out $200 on a DI. For studio work the Avalon is amazing and the Radial is pretty damn good as well, but you can't really justify those costs if you primarily play live into a typical 'institutional' PA. For that app, the <$100 Radial ProDI, Contryman, ProCo or Whirlwind DI's are your best best.
Of course this is one of those things...poop in, poop out. If you're playing a $95 Hondo, the JDV MkIII can't polish a turd. BUT, if you've got a nice pretty signal coming out of your bass, the Radial Engineering JDV MkIII is the most transparent DI you can get. My rig went from a SWR head, cab & Klark comp. to a JDV, ears and a good soundman (can anyone say 'easy load-in???'). Course, my trusty Sadowsky didn't hurt the tone none either. It has sooo much headroom, it'll handle anything thrown at it. Oh, and I've gone acoustic so it's for SALE.
bongomania
Commercial User
