Best DI Box $200 and under?

[cripula]

FWIW I prefer the sound of the JDI over the J48 using either a passive or active bass.
For your needs (good IEM sound @ around $200) you can't go wrong with a JDI IMHO.

Another option you never hear much about is the Cable Factory DI. They are built like tanks, use a Lundahl transformer, and sound very good.
I've only used the passive DI-Pro P1, but they have a very interesting switchable active/passive box called the DI-Pro AP1 as well. In active mode it still feeds the signal through the transformer.
Worth a look and I believe still within your price range.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[tsheldon]

The correct answer is the Radial JDI or J48 and the Countryman units. They're industry standard for a reason and you'll have any of them your entire playing life. The "effect pedal type" DI's with all sorts of EQ and overdrive in your price range are simply not built to the same high standards as these other units. You don't want to send the sound guy a heavily EQ'd signal anyway. He or she has to slot you into a mix that you can't hear from onstage. You'd just be making their job harder.

I would actually recommend the JDI as the best investment since it's your first DI. Everyone should have a solid passive DI in case of emergency. This way, in the future even if you find some other DI you prefer, you'll still have that trusty, reliable, no-nonsense backup in your cable bag.

 

[SteveC]

I'm thinking the JDI might be the way to go for me to have a good no hassle DI box to use in IEM setups.

It's what I use with my IEM's at church. Sounds great. Maybe a little too clean but thats another thread.

For your needs (good IEM sound @ around $200) you can't go wrong with a JDI IMHO.

I agree. Probably the best $200 I've spent on gear...and I've spent a lot of $200 bundles on gear.

I would actually recommend the JDI as the best investment since it's your first DI. Everyone should have a solid passive DI in case of emergency. This way, in the future even if you find some other DI you prefer, you'll still have that trusty, reliable, no-nonsense backup in your cable bag.

Agreed.

 

[Nickweissmusic]

I've been using a JDI for a long time and it's a great DI. I never even think about it. No buzz, it's solid as a rock, and you just plug in and go. I wasn't aware of any compression but it may be there. I use an MXR M87 but it's set to be very subtle. More like a peak limiter than a compressor. When I turn it off, I barely notice a difference. I know the JDI is great, but I hadn't heard anyone mention "passive compression" with it. Not sure I know what "passive compression" is.

Yeah, I think I just made "passive compression" up It's more of a subtle perception than a true compression effect, that I noticed when I used to use it more in the studio. I fell in love with it when it tamed the squeaks and scrapes from my very hot Godin guitar input, which ostensibly didn't need a direct box since it was alread buffered and my interface has a hi-Z setting. I tried it on a whim and the difference was immediately noticeable. It still passes a brilliant sound, just slightly thicker and more pleasant to my ears.

Nowadays I just use my Firefly for everything, passive or active, the high pass filter is a life changer, so much nicer than working with it in the DAW. You can easily set it by ear, you just listen with headphones and roll off the useless rumble, I use it on bass too. And the preamp tube and gain/volume knobs offer true compression control.

The JDI sounds great, I'm sure it will be a great fit with an active Warrior.

 

[SteveC]

Yeah, I think I just made "passive compression" up It's more of a subtle perception than a true compression effect, that I noticed when I used to use it more in the studio. I fell in love with it when it tamed the squeaks and scrapes from my very hot Godin guitar input, which ostensibly didn't need a direct box since it was alread buffered and my interface has a hi-Z setting. I tried it on a whim and the difference was immediately noticeable. It still passes a brilliant sound, just slightly thicker and more pleasant to my ears.

I wasn't making an accusation at all, just curious about your description as the JDI does make things sound nice and even. It's kind of like how an Avalon U5 almost sounds like a tube DI even though it's not. Many people make a tube-like comment when describing it.

I have been debating taking my compressor off - or at least turning it off - and see if it changes anything that much. Maybe replace it with a chorus or flanger or some other relatively harmless "space-type" effect instead.

 

[Nickweissmusic]

I wasn't making an accusation at all, just curious about your description as the JDI does make things sound nice and even. It's kind of like how an Avalon U5 almost sounds like a tube DI even though it's not. Many people make a tube-like comment when describing it.

I have been debating taking my compressor off - or at least turning it off - and see if it changes anything that much. Maybe replace it with a chorus or flanger or some other relatively harmless "space-type" effect instead.

No offense taken at all. I was about to buy the Avalon a few years back, a Studio I recorded at frequently used them and they are excellent. I took a chance on the Firefly even though it was a new product, since it was built for the road and the studio. Glad I did. They're both awesome, I know I keep saying it but the HPF on the Firefly is a game changer. The only future I really wanted that it lacks in comparison with the Avalon is the ability to parallel a speaker out into it... good thing I have a JDI

 

[CapM]

This is a frustrating thread. Every time someone mentions another one, I look it up and invariably say, "wow, that sounds good, too!" I don't know about OP, but instead of narrowing my list, it keeps broadening...

 

[Alan Ace Cooper]

This is a frustrating thread. Every time someone mentions another one, I look it up and invariably say, "wow, that sounds good, too!" I don't know about OP, but instead of narrowing my list, it keeps broadening...

I know right!!!! I feel that way and I already have 3 DIs!

 

[mjmeche]

This is a frustrating thread. Every time someone mentions another one, I look it up and invariably say, "wow, that sounds good, too!" I don't know about OP, but instead of narrowing my list, it keeps broadening...

Well I love my Countryman 10 it works off of Phantom or a 9V and it's built like a tank!!!!!
Isn't it fun LOL

 

[Nickweissmusic]

This is a frustrating thread. Every time someone mentions another one, I look it up and invariably say, "wow, that sounds good, too!" I don't know about OP, but instead of narrowing my list, it keeps broadening...

I know right!!!! I feel that way and I already have 3 DIs!

Indeed! But I can tell you, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. If you have 1 excellent active and 1 excellent passive DI that sound good to you, you've pretty much got all your bases covered. At a certain point, they're all really good, the sounds they pass are a matter of personal preference, and maybe a feature or two will push you in the direction of one over the other. Your fingers will still have more to say about your tone than any direct box will. I'm extremely happy with my Firefly and JDI, and since I love vintage sounds my REDDI might not be on my desk every day, but it's not going anywhere, it's a nice bonus. Not having great DI's is a legitimate problem, you do need to get a proper signal to the board, but which one you have is not that big a deal. There are a lot more fun ways to spend a ton of money. I can honestly say I have zero lust for any more DI or preamps.

EXCEPT...

The Neve portico 5017 has 1/4 and XLR inputs that can be used alone or simultaneously... with blend and phase control... dang it!

 

[mjmeche]

Indeed! But I can tell you, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. If you have 1 excellent active and 1 excellent passive DI that sound good to you, you've pretty much got all your bases covered. At a certain point, they're all really good, the sounds they pass are a matter of personal preference, and maybe a feature or two will push you in the direction of one over the other. Your fingers will still have more to say about your tone than any direct box will. I'm extremely happy with my Firefly and JDI, and since I love vintage sounds my REDDI might not be on my desk every day, but it's not going anywhere, it's a nice bonus. Not having great DI's is a legitimate problem, you do need to get a proper signal to the board, but which one you have is not that big a deal. There are a lot more fun ways to spend a ton of money. I can honestly say I have zero lust for any more DI or preamps.

EXCEPT...

The Neve portico 5017 has 1/4 and XLR inputs that can be used alone or simultaneously... with blend and phase control... dang it!

The DREAM to own a REDDI! DREAM ON LOL

 

[Bassworship1]

I Used a Reddi and while I liked it, the weight and size is not what I'm looking for. I want something extremely portable and lightweight that can fit in a gigbag if needed.

 

[CapM]

I Used a Reddi and while I liked it, the weight and size is not what I'm looking for. I want something extremely portable and lightweight that can fit in a gigbag if needed.

REDDI is on my short list, though mine would only be for home recording. Did you record with it? Check out the song in my sig - bass tone sucks! P bass direct to Apogee Duet. Also did P through my GK amp and DI, and sounds the same.

 

[Bassworship1]

@CapM

Bought it for use in the studio and didn't record any while we had it. Did try it a few times live and it worked great with a very good tone and great IEM tone. Couldn't tell enough difference over the DI out in my Ampeg SVT3-Pro to warrant keeping it.

 

[HiEnd Basses]

I have a fantastic tube preamp on my Ampeg SVT 7 PRO, so I don't need an extra EQ. However, the Scrambler circuit on the SCR-DI, does need tone shaping; I never use the Scrambler section without the Preamp section. They were meant to be used together. Plus, in the studio I only use my SCR-DI, so I need to rely on the Preamp section, since that's my only EQ.

 

[drummer5359]

I give another vote for the Countryman Type 85. Mine is stone reliable. I'd love to have a Reddi someday, but this works and works well.

 

[rodv66]

Just order the Le Bass preamp/di. Hope it isn't a load of crap or else........

 

[Finnigan's wake]

The 4 Best Bass Preamp Pedals – Reviews 2017

For less than 30 bucks this crap works really good:

A more than decent DI, a warm tubeish tone, if too dark for your taste you can always mod it...

 

[3dognate]

How a bout the Hartke Bass Attack pedal... a guy came and auditioned for my main band last year and used one for the audition and he sounded quite excellent... it's cheap too.

 

[Nickweissmusic]

REDDI is on my short list, though mine would only be for home recording. Did you record with it? Check out the song in my sig - bass tone sucks! P bass direct to Apogee Duet. Also did P through my GK amp and DI, and sounds the same.

Be aware The REDDI is a 10lb tank. Be aware that it only does one sound, with zero tone shaping ability. But it does one sound really well. Would definitely sweeten your sound into a recording interface noticeably, and help seat your bass in any mix better (has to do with the inherent pleasant harmonic distortion that tubes provide) but of course the signal you put into it has to be good in the first place, and it won't save a bad mix. Would it sound better than a DI out from a GK amp? That's debatable, and getting into personal preference, GK's are generally very nice. I have honestly never recorded direct from one though. The boxes we're talking about cost more than the average modern GK amp, due in part to premium parts and engineering, so there is a chance you could hear improvement. Unfortunately on mobile I can't see the song you were mentioning in your signature, if I get on a computer I may circle back to give it a listen and see what your working with.