Best DI box for $100?

[Paul K]

One of the used BBE Xciter DI's can be had for $50 (The old one, not the new one that's $250-ish). You don' t have to use the xciter part if you don't want. They're battery or phantom powered, or powered by about any wall wart you've got lying around.

Xciter part: sounds great when solo'd. Can't tell the difference when the band is also playing. As such, I use it in my solo guitar/vocal thing.

 

[DuraMorte]

I have the active one, the dB12. It easily matches or beats the Radial or Countryman ones, IME.

I have a DB10, passive. Sounds great on everything I've ever used on it. The controls are handy too. It can also double as a power soak, IE you can plug it into a speaker output. Wouldn't recommend doing that on tube amps, though.

 

[billiam5billion]

Yeah, I don't need any tone shaping capabilities, I just have a GK MB115 and the DI input positioning is super awkward. I've had some sound guys complain about it so I thought I'd do an easy fix.

 

[ack]

I picked up my MXR M80 DI+ used for $50 - I never play without it.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

I have NO experience with this, but I'm curious about it:
BBE Magnum DI Direct Box at The Perfect Bass

Seems much like the Radial J48 (including the chassis), for half the price. Of course, I have a J48, so I don't need another similar one. Or maybe I do. Can never have "too many" DIs. I do have several other high-end DIs, though. Just none under the $100 limit.

 

[tabdog]

Yup...for some reason, this one seems to fly under the radar with a lot of folks...

Hartke Bass Attack. Simple to use and works
very well. I bought my son one and he likes it
also.

Tabdog

 

[JoeVictim]

As a budget option. You can get the Behringer BDI21 for around $30. It will however, add some meat to your tone.

This is probably the best thing Behringer ever put out. I know thats not saying a lot, but my unit has been working flawlessly for the last 2 years. YMMV but for $30, you really can't go wrong.

 

[Vinny D]

I have a 25 year old IMP II still going strong and in use every weekend, along with 3-4 other lower cost DI's ($under 40.00/ea new) and they all work well.
I am sure if you are in a studio a more expensive DI will likely make a difference...but playing live in a local bar/club...I doubt anyone could tell the difference between a budget DI and one costing over $100.
If you are a good player with good skills that is what is going to make you shine.....not a fancy DI.
.
.
And...as a side note pertaining to DI's, I had the pleasure last weekend providing sound for a band and the bassist uses one of those Behringer V-amp bass preamps (don't know the model as I am not a Behringer fan) and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised at the sound that unit put out through FOH.

 

[billiam5billion]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys!

 

[bassman314]

Another + 1 of Radial.

the JDI goes for about $200 new, but there is the ProDI that goes for about $100 new.

I have owned and used both. They are both built like tanks. The ProDI doesn't have all of the features the JDI has, but still works great.

 

[MNAirHead]

Rolls db25 28 new .... Mxrm80. 65 used

I own 30+ both are the best values

 

[walterw]

Yeah, I don't need any tone shaping capabilities, I just have a GK MB115 and the DI input positioning is super awkward. I've had some sound guys complain about it so I thought I'd do an easy fix.

you mean "DI output"?

how can an XLR jack right on top of a combo amp be awkward?

 

[MNAirHead]

Some sound guys want a di box

 

[walterw]

sure, but that's a different (thoroughly well-visited) argument.

 

[billiam5billion]

you mean "DI output"?

how can an XLR jack right on top of a combo amp be awkward?

Output, yeah. I was at work when I posted, busy day. Anyways, the OUTPUT is positioned so that the release switch for the XLR cable is butted up against the cabinet. A very experienced sound guy at Rudyard's in Houston had to use a pocketknife to release his cable. I've had guys at a few venues ask if I had my own DI box before providing their own. I thought about pulling out the output assembly and just flipping it around, but then I figured a decent DI might be something good to have since I gig 3 times monthly or more.

 

[Munjibunga]

Used Countryman 85, Radial JDI, or J48 - if you keep an eye out, one of those will pop up for pretty close to that - they're considered an industry standard for good reason...


- georgestrings

This is the correct answer. I bought all of my J48s, JDIs and Type 85s used in the $100 to $120 price range. All were in new condition.

 

[walterw]

just be aware that a DI box would eliminate the tone of the amp from what you send the house. it might be better that way, but it won't be the same.

if you have any buffered or always-on pedals (like a boss tuner) or an active bass, then a good passive DI box would work fine, bringing the pure sound of the bass to the PA. with a passive bass and no pedal buffers, an active DI might be worth the price difference.

(an active signal into an active DI should be fine if redundant, but a passive signal into a passive box can create some loss.)

 

[walterw]

if you liked the tone of the DI on the amp, a short XLR pigtail (like a foot or so) could stay in the amp; it would let soundguys plug into the other end, then remove their cables later with no trouble.

 

[bassman314]

just be aware that a DI box would eliminate the tone of the amp from what you send the house. it might be better that way, but it won't be the same.

Only if you have the DI between you and your amp. I have my DI in the effects loop. That is after the Pre-Amp, so I get all of the goodness my amp brings to the table.

Sure, I don't get the power amp, but that doesn't affect tone as much as the pre-amp does.

 

[srxplayer]

Go with the used Radial or Countryman options. Most small clubs, churches and even small live gigs that you run sound yourself through a powered box mixer you won't be able to tell the difference between a Rolls or a Radial. However, if you play a gig with a professional sound team with professional gear its good to have a quality DI. Of course they may already have Radials or Countyman DI's at the ready in case you have something weird. They generaly don't like to deal with a piece of gear when they don't know what to expect from it.

Save yourself some money in the long run and just buy the Radial.