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Can Anyone Recommend A Plain DI?

#21
Hi-End Basses said:
My preamp has a tube XLR out. That being said, that DI won't bring my overdrive and compression to FOH. So are you saying that the DI pedal will capture the Overdrive and compression pedals, but won't capture any eq? That make sense.
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If you put your pedals in front of your preamp or in the effects loop, then the preamp DI will capture everything. But if you put your pedals between the preamp and power amp, you would need another DI after the pedals to capture everything.
 
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#23
Drucifer said:
If you put your pedals in front of your preamp or in the effects loop, then the preamp DI will capture everything. But if you put your pedals between the preamp and power amp, you would need another DI after the pedals to capture everything.
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Drucifer said:
If you put your pedals in front of your preamp or in the effects loop, then the preamp DI will capture everything. But if you put your pedals between the preamp and power amp, you would need another DI after the pedals to capture everything.
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Compression pedal and overdrive pedal goes into DI pedal and through the DI pedal XLR; 1/4th inch cable from DI pedal goes into amplifier input jack. So what am I dealing with?
 
#24
I did a small DI shoot out recently, to choose between the RNDI and the Radial J48. As a reference, I also included the BSS AR133. And I ended up keeping that one. It's dead quiet, almost as transparent as the RNDI, at almost a third of the price. And if you plan on using it live, it looks and feels like it would survive a small nuclear attack. It ain't purdy like the RNDI, but it's rock solid. That would be my recommendation.
 
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#29
I use this old beauty when I need a DI only, it is built like a tank I have had it for a very long time and it still works great!
upload_2018-8-23_15-27-59.png
 
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#30
bassbrad said:
I have been collecting DI boxes since the 70's for live and studio work, so my 2 cents of knowledge. It pays to have both an active DI and a passive DI in your kit, even a cheap passive DI that uses a transformer that is not the "jensen" as they have become quite precious.

Invalid Link Removedis the class standard for stage and studio a phantom powered active DI. I have long used the 85 and it has never failed to deliver the goods.

Radial offers a broad selection of both passive and active DI the JDI is a favorite passive di as it utilizes the beloved Jensen transformer.

I have been blessed of late to use the Rupert Neve RNDI and it is my current favorite for studio sessions keeping my other collected DI boxes on the shelf.
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This is exactly what I was gonna say.
 
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#32
Hi-End Basses said:
I'm looking for a plain DI; no distortion necessary, because I have a great tube preamp on the amp head. Most of the DI's that I see have a distortion circuit, but I'll have a drive pedal for that. I also would prefer not to buy a Reddi for $800! LOL! Plus it's the size of a damn lunch box. I don't want it to have any EQ; just a balanced XLR out and a ground switch. Any suggestions that fit into this category would be immensely appreciated.
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BSS Audio AR-133

They can be had for $170

BSS AR-133

Mix Magazine review:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#33
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#34
Hi-End Basses said:
Compression pedal and overdrive pedal goes into DI pedal and through the DI pedal XLR; 1/4th inch cable from DI pedal goes into amplifier input jack. So what am I dealing with?
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I don't think I understand your setup. Is it bass>compressor>overdrive>DI>Ampeg SVT 7 Pro? If so, are you looking to replace your existing DI pedal? Why not just use the DI built into the SVT?
 
#35
The BSS Audio AR-133 is good and can be found now for less than 100€ here in the EU, so I guess that in the US you should also be able to find a good price on it.

There is also a Behringer DI that is almost identical to the BSS (literally impossible to tell the difference in sound quality) but I am not sure if they are still available.

I am also fond of one of the Whirlwind d passive DI's, but I forget the model.
 
#36
bassbrad said:
Telefunken is so retro sexy in the Eastern Euro Cold War schtick but 200 bucks seems a bit high for a mystery box passive DI. Sure they talk about their transformers but they do not put a name on that transformer, I'll take a name for 200 bucks or more like Countryman, Jensen or perhaps Rupert Neve!

I apologize if that came across really sales like, my bad.
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It's all good. I like their stuff. I just thought I'd offer an alternative. Those old tried and true ones are great.
 
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