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Budget DIs

NKBassman

NKBassman

Jun 16, 2009
16,508
32,889
42
Winnipeg, MB, Canada
#1
I'm looking to pick up a couple of cheap-but-good DI boxes to use for re-amping guitar tracks.

I have a Radial Reamp box already, but I need some better DIs than my Aphex Punch Factory set to bypass for capturing guitars during our live jams (post-effects pedals, but pre-amplifier), so that we can re-amp the takes later and get perfect isolation on the instrument tracks. We A/B'd the reamped Aphex signal VS plugging the guitar in to the amp and there is a noticeable decrease in balls to the reamped tone. All other variables aside, I blame the Aphex. It's a horrible compressor, so it stands to reason it would make a bad DI as well.

The problem is, our budget is essentially $0, and I need 2 preferrably identical units, so I'm looking at Behringer, ART, etc. We're talking basement demo quality here, not pro studio.

Any reccomendations would be greatly appreciated. I've read the reviews of the cheap stuff on MF etc, but I'd like some TB feedback as well if possible.
 
#3
I would pick the ART over the Behringer. My experience with both is limited to the Behringer boxes being the go-to DI in every $h#^-hole I've played in the last 5 years, and the ART being the acoustic guitar DI, for about the past year, in a country trio I play with regularily.
So far the ART wins, to my ear.
 
#8
the key thing to know here is that it's hard to make a good cheap passive DI. it's much easier to make a good cheap active DI - so definitely go active. for example, i have an Art X-direct that sounds great. it comes in a 2 channel version too. i'd stay away from the budget tube DI's.
 
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#10
bassgod0dmw said:
Did you check out the DI shootout with the ART going up against the Aggie DB900?

$30 vs $400 and not a huge difference. Especially for "basement demo quality..."
Click to expand...

Thanks, I saw the thread but can't listen to the clips at work. I found that very interesting though.

Sounds like the ART Tube MP might be the way to go. Anyone have any experience with the stock tube VS after market replacements?
 
#11
bassgod0dmw said:
Did you check out the DI shootout with the ART going up against the Aggie DB900?

$30 vs $400 and not a huge difference. Especially for "basement demo quality..."
Click to expand...

the tube is a marketing gimmick. it's a starved plate design. it's essentially just an active direct box with a tube for show. as i said before it's easy to make a good active direct box for cheap. it just sells better if you stick a tube in it.
 
#12
It seems that some responders here don't know the difference between a preamp and a DI. Cheap DI ... without a doubt, a Whirlwind IMP. $49, and it does just what it's supposed to do, without coloration or attenuation. You'll probably have it forever, too ... virtually indestructible.
 
#16
Staccato said:
Oh no, say it isn't so! Are you sure? :help:
Click to expand...

The 'toob' is run at a low plate voltage in parallel with the preamp proper, at higher gain setting it adds some 'warmth' or 'punchiness' or whatever.

Some people like how that sounds. If you are trying to get the same thing back out that you put in you probably don't want this.

Good news is you can just take the tube out and the thing will still work, and probably be more accurate and have lower distortion.

Or you just buy a metal box with a transformer in it...
 
#18
screaminglucy said:
the tube is a marketing gimmick. it's a starved plate design. it's essentially just an active direct box with a tube for show. as i said before it's easy to make a good active direct box for cheap. it just sells better if you stick a tube in it.
Click to expand...

I'm not saying that it is or it isn't. I'm just saying that it sounds good for the price...

RustyAxe said:
It seems that some responders here don't know the difference between a preamp and a DI
Click to expand...

Does the ART not function as a DI?
 

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