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Best DI to Play Live WITHOUT Amp?

#41
And the winner is . . . the MXR-80. Clean, simple, full sound and built to pound nails. I have used it instead of the Behringer V-Amp on my band's last few gigs and we all love it. Last week we added 4 Bose B-1 bass bins (for a total of 8) + the Bose Packlite power amp to our sound system and the sound was phenomenal. I am in the enviable position of carrying everything I need to play out in the pocket of my gig bag (MXR-80, in-ear monitor receiver, and cords). Life is good. Thank you all for the input!
 
#44
Eublet said:
The Aguilar Tone Hammer. Bass, Treble and Mids at 12:30, mid-center fully counter clockwise, AGC engaged with gain set at 8:30. It's as close to a REDDI as you can get without a REDDI, at less than 1/3 the cost and way more flexible. No joke.
Click to expand...

When you refer to mid-center, do you mean the mid frequency or mid level?

I'm assuming you mean set the mid frequency completely counter clockwise, then slightly boost with the level to 12:30?
 
#45
CElton said:
When you refer to mid-center, do you mean the mid frequency or mid level?

I'm assuming you mean set the mid frequency completely counter clockwise, then slightly boost with the level to 12:30?
Click to expand...
You are correct. It's a very warm tone, but you'll have to adjust the gain to taste depending on the output of your bass.
 
#48
bdtesq said:
And the winner is . . . the MXR-80. Clean, simple, full sound and built to pound nails. I have used it instead of the Behringer V-Amp on my band's last few gigs and we all love it. Last week we added 4 Bose B-1 bass bins (for a total of 8) + the Bose Packlite power amp to our sound system and the sound was phenomenal. I am in the enviable position of carrying everything I need to play out in the pocket of my gig bag (MXR-80, in-ear monitor receiver, and cords). Life is good. Thank you all for the input!
Click to expand...

You will find this box very useful with all the features it has..ground lift,phantom power,dist w\blend and noise gate and the option to have 3 different sounds on tap(bypass-clean-dist.). all at a good price..a very versatile tool..You made a good choice.
 
#49
I have been using the Radial Bassbone for a couple of years with active and passive basses with great results. To my ears, it does not color my sound unless it is set it up to do so. I like the fact that I can use it as the DI and AB box or just use channel 2 as the live and channel 1 as the mute if I need it. I love the SansAmp for the Ampeg emulation, but if you want the pure sound of the bass with the option to tweak your tone a bit, the Bassbone is it. At least for me.

Regards,
Texan
 
#51
My $0.02...

I own and have used the BDDI often at ampless gigs.

You have to remember with the BDDI, the BLEND knob is your friend. Use it judiciously. My blend knob is always below 12 o'clock, often around 9 O'clock.

Also, you can disengage the sim and use the BDDI as a DI box only. I've done that on some recordings. I won't disagree there are better DIs but overall versatile.
 
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#52
Eublet said:
The Aguilar Tone Hammer. Bass, Treble and Mids at 12:30, mid-center fully counter clockwise, AGC engaged with gain set at 8:30. It's as close to a REDDI as you can get without a REDDI, at less than 1/3 the cost and way more flexible. No joke.
Click to expand...

I just picked up a tone hammer, and I came up with something similar to this setting that blew me away! I didn't think I would use the AGS portion of the this pedal but I have found myself loving it. And yes, it still sounds like my bass, but with more presence in the mix - very punchy!
 
#54
Peterson Strobostomp 2, nice all in 1 package. Covers Tuner and DI. I have an active bass, so the Aguilar OBP-3 covers tone shaping needs.

At the church I work at, we have Radial ProDIs for practically everything, great DI box.
 
#55
JordanBrooks said:
Without a doubt, the A Designs Reddi is the best DI I've used for live shows without an amp (and in the studio as well).
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a couple weeks ago, i'd have totally agreed and i still do to a certain extent. but this new jule amps monique preamp is like a reddi with the b-15 treble cut, and you can send it through the xlr out AND the 1/4" out, which i've always considered a major design flaw in the reddi. not cheap at $1300, but man o manoshevitz!
 
#56
JimmyM said:
a couple weeks ago, i'd have totally agreed and i still do to a certain extent. but this new jule amps monique preamp is like a reddi with the b-15 treble cut, and you can send it through the xlr out AND the 1/4" out, which i've always considered a major design flaw in the reddi. not cheap at $1300, but man o manoshevitz!
Click to expand...

Nice! Wish I could justify the price......
 
#57
basswave said:
I have used the Radial JDV without an amp but that was for small venues with good monitoring.
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I can't agree with you more. I bought one from someone's recommendations here who I most respect as a bassist - Anthony Jackson. He stated it was his of choice - J48. Being similar to the JDV it is basically the same idea. I think Radial DI's are amazing and great buy for the money. If a clean signal without any distortion and lots of headroom is part of your sound than the J48 is an excellent DI.
 
#59
Eublet said:
The Aguilar Tone Hammer. Bass, Treble and Mids at 12:30, mid-center fully counter clockwise, AGC engaged with gain set at 8:30. It's as close to a REDDI as you can get without a REDDI, at less than 1/3 the cost and way more flexible. No joke.
Click to expand...

Zombie Bump.

Played a casino gig on New Years. All IEM. Lakland 55-60>Demeter Comp>Tone Hammer with the settings close to Eublet's REDDI setting. I had the mid freq bumped up just a bit.

Totally killed. Band mates, sound engineer, and players from other bands in the casino complimented on the great warm but clear, punchy tone. Love this box.
 

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