Best Bass DIs

[Stevenk]

hi TBers,

Question. I’m looking for the best DI for my passive basses, 62 p , 70 fretlessed p and 90 j bass. I currently use radial j48s, active DIs, as passive instruments = active DI and vice versatile. The radials have been a significant improvement over the direct out off of my Ampeg of-800 Head, as well as goid on strats, teles, etc.I know that DIs like the REDDI, I think, are costly. Any thoughts and or experiences out there. I’m using it and other DIs for Home digital recording into Pro Tools 2018, through a focusrite 18i8. Just curious as to your opinions and experiences. Can’t spend the bucks right now, but could look up any of your ideas, keep an eye out for used deals, etc. any and all thoughts welcome. As you know, going back to the Motown days, they only recorded bass through a DI. They actually built their own, which, l believe, a version of it is still being sold. I don’t remember the name of that one.
Anyway, any thoughts, please send them along. Thanks in advance.
Sk

 

[mwbassace]

The only help I can be is to tell you that the Motown DI your speaking of is the Acme Audio WB-3 Motown DI.

 

[Stevenk]

The only help I can be is to tell you that the Motown DI your speaking of is the Acme Audio WB-3 Motown DI.

Thanks so much for the quick response and killer knowledge . Ever use it? Any idea as to what they go for?

 

[mwbassace]

Just did a Google search, cause I couldn't remember myself lol. And the prices I saw on said search were $429. I have never used one, but I do believe there are You Tube videos on them.

 

[Stevenk]

Just did a Google search, cause I couldn't remember myself lol. And the prices I saw on said search were $429. I have never used one, but I do believe there are You Tube videos on them.

Thanks again. I saved your link. That was the price. When it comes to hardware, I usually buy everything in GCs national used site. Great return policy. No risk. Obviously cheaper. This item might not pop up much, if at all.
Thank you.

 

[Rickter]

For passive basses, have seen a lot of positive commentary on the Countryman. As I understand, the big attraction of the REDDI is that it actually sounds like a vintage Ampeg. An active DI that has really piqued my interest lately is the Rupert Neve DI (the RNDI) as it can act as an instrument DI as well as in inline DI between your amp head and cabinet. There is also two channel version available now.

 

[Stevenk]

For passive basses, have seen a lot of positive commentary on the Countryman. As I understand, the big attraction of the REDDI is that it actually sounds like a vintage Ampeg. An active DI that has really piqued my interest lately is the Rupert Neve DI (the RNDI) as it can act as an instrument DI as well as in inline DI between your amp head and cabinet. There is also two channel version available now.

Thanks. Better get my list together. I think the Neve is about 1k or more, but not sure.
I’ll keep an eye out. I only buy hardware in the GC National used site. No risk. Cheaper, if s store has one around. Thanks.

 

[Rickter]

Sweetwater shows the RNDI 1 channel for $269 USD.

Totally understand. My GK 1001 and 410 cab came from the GC used site. I've been satisfied with what I've bought through their used site so far, especially since warranty on used gear is offered.

 

[kesslari]

Sonic Farm makes a really killer DI, the 2di4.
Records great. I bring it to studios and engineers are delighted to use it.
https://sonicfarm.com/shop/2DI4-pentode-direct-box/

 

[Aloe]

just plug into your Scarlett. it's decent as a DI (in fact, I prefer it with `inst` set off, it works and sounds nice with passive and active instruments).

 

[MDBass]

just plug into your Scarlett. it's decent as a DI (in fact, I prefer it with `inst` set off, it works and sounds nice with passive and active instruments).

Pretty sure he’s looking for “best”, not “decent” - he already owns better options than plunging straight into the Scarlett.

 

[Aloe]

Pretty sure he’s looking for “best”, not “decent” - he already owns better options than plunging straight into the Scarlett.

Scarlett's input is very nice, indeed. I don't have my Scarlett since (moved for Clarett), but I recall I preferred it to two JDIs and a Telefunken I had as well.

Really, if the OP is not just willing to spend the money right away (and he's not), he will be happy with Scarlett inputs. They're very nice.

 

[mcrawfordmusic]

Noble DI
A Designs REDDI
GrooveTubes 'The Brick'
Evil Twin
Avalon U5 (Pre and DI)
Neve
Acme

 

[NOVAX]

I use and vouch for:
Countryman
Stewart
Tech 21
Whirlwind

 

[pellomoco14]

Noble DI
A Designs REDDI
GrooveTubes 'The Brick'
Evil Twin
Avalon U5 (Pre and DI)
Neve
Acme

I can only think of one more
RMI Basswitch iq di
Link Removed

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Thanks so much for the quick response and killer knowledge . Ever use it? Any idea as to what they go for?

I’m just finishing a home brew build of this. Haven’t tried using it yet so can’t tell you how it turned out.
The transformer used in the original design by Ed Wolfrum aka the Wolf Box is a rare bird these days.
It’s a Triad A-J11/A-J12. The transformer I used was the Triad A-J9. Had a couple in a junk drawer so put together a box around that transformer.

 

[57pbass]

The Mesa D800 DI is a tremendous value ...

 

[franklindayala]

hi TBers,

Question. I’m looking for the best DI for my passive basses, 62 p , 70 fretlessed p and 90 j bass. I currently use radial j48s, active DIs, as passive instruments = active DI and vice versatile. The radials have been a significant improvement over the direct out off of my Ampeg of-800 Head, as well as goid on strats, teles, etc.I know that DIs like the REDDI, I think, are costly. Any thoughts and or experiences out there. I’m using it and other DIs for Home digital recording into Pro Tools 2018, through a focusrite 18i8. Just curious as to your opinions and experiences. Can’t spend the bucks right now, but could look up any of your ideas, keep an eye out for used deals, etc. any and all thoughts welcome. As you know, going back to the Motown days, they only recorded bass through a DI. They actually built their own, which, l believe, a version of it is still being sold. I don’t remember the name of that one.
Anyway, any thoughts, please send them along. Thanks in advance.
Sk

I'm happy with my Broughton P15 preamp/DI. It nails the Ampeg B15 sound.

 

[Zootsuitbass]

When Drums Stop! (best bass dis)

 

[EastCoastThump]

OP: TBers have come through with a list of solid favorites in this thread. You mention funds are limited now, so a price range might help. But the real question is "best DI" for what?

You mention the REDDI and Motown. Given that and your choice of basses, I'd guess that you're hoping to get some vintage thickness and character. But even then there are different flavors among the usual suspects. For example Broughton, Manley, A Designs, Acme Audio, Jule Amps, Alembic, Aguilar, Universal Audio, Sonic Farms, etc can all be described as warm character DIs, but they aren't just shooting for the same tone. Those are also all likely out of your price range, from the sounds of the OP. But there are also a bunch of end-runs in that "character DI" category, from speaker-level DIs fed by tube amps of varying flavors, to amp DIs with a lot of character (even something like the Mesa Walkabout head's DI can be magic in the right setting). You also have warm sounding pedal preamp DIs that might be less budget-busting. And then you have preamp/amp/cab/whole-rig sims of various stripes and price ranges.

OTOH, your current DI pick is a different beast entirely. If you're looking for a good DI that doesn't impart so much color, then your Radial J48 is a solid choice, as are Countryman, Avalon U5 (although the Avalon's probably also out of budget), etc.

Have you been unhappy with tracking through your J48 and then working with plug-ins to get more of whatever character you're chasing?