- Apr 20, 2009
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Can Anyone Recommend A Plain DI?
- Thread starter Hi-End Basses
- Start date
Of course, and I get that. My point is that I do not hear a difference if using the Lo Impedance MIC input and the feed from the DI box as opposed to going directly from the bass output jack (1/4 inch cable) into a Hi Impedance input on my mixer.
If you're close enough, and have a long enough instrument cable, cool deal - although you will never have the same level of common-mode EMI rejection, and high-impedance connections are more susceptible to noise, generally.
If the mixer is at the other end of a 50' snake, most people don't enough instrument cable to bridge that gap...
That was my conclusion as well. None of the others actually offered more.
Yeah, in my case I’m talking about a home recording situation where I am only a few feet away from the mixer.
A lot of mixers don't have a high z input because they're designed for microphones and line level equipment only. Depends on the mixer. If yours has a high Z input, then you don't need a DI box. They put that high Z there so you can plug your guitar straight into it. A DI box would still be useful if you were running long cables though.
The danger would only be that you would lose some highs, at least on paper. In reality you might not notice.
I used to hate the Imp 2, but I just did some test recordings with one, and it's really not as horrible as I remembered it. Still, if I were to go inexpensive, I'd get the Whirlwind Director. Pretty much like a Radial JDI except the JDI has an actual Jensen transformer and the Director has a cheaper knockoff transformer. But I've heard a Director upgraded with the Jensen vs the stocker and it sounded the same to me.
I've had the Radial JDI for years ... if I'm using a passive bass I'll run an Xotic EP in front of it.
Bought a Countryman 85 in July and have used it at both our shows since. Once with a mic on my cab and just this straight to FOH and no cab mic. We got a desk recording of the first show, with individual stems so it could be properly mixed for release. The bass DI channel solo'd sounded great. Add in the mic and its phenomenal.
We're in the studio this weekend and I can't wait to use it.
We're in the studio this weekend and I can't wait to use it.
If you don't want to break the bank i'd recommend the Radial Tonebug SB-2 which is a passive simple DI, nice and compact and clear as a bell.
I've been using budget DI's for yrs and mixing live bands, since buying this i've got rid of my other DI boxes as the Tonebug is like night and day compared to them. It now goes everywhere with me in my FX bag as my get out of jail card free in case my amp ever goes down. I'm sure the Radial Pro and JDI would be clearer with some studio grade headphones or monitors but this thing is real clear to my ears. But i guess it depends if you want it for live or studio use (mines just for live work).
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I've been using budget DI's for yrs and mixing live bands, since buying this i've got rid of my other DI boxes as the Tonebug is like night and day compared to them. It now goes everywhere with me in my FX bag as my get out of jail card free in case my amp ever goes down. I'm sure the Radial Pro and JDI would be clearer with some studio grade headphones or monitors but this thing is real clear to my ears. But i guess it depends if you want it for live or studio use (mines just for live work).
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It’s not a straight-ahead DI per se, but I’ll throw out the Art Tube MP. It needs an A/C adapter or phantom power, but it’s inexpensive, and really sounds awesome. The tube inside is actually part of the path as well, and makes a big difference in the tone coming out.
That said, it does require a different tube right out of the gate to reach full potential IMO.
That said, it does require a different tube right out of the gate to reach full potential IMO.
I vote the JDI as well. Sound great on bass and pretty good on acoustic guitar and upright as well (when using a pickup). The RNDI is indeed amazing but phantom power isn’t always available on stage, or trusty if your sound guy has a crappy board. I’ve been really interested in the Telefunken TDP-1 be the JDI if anyone has one!
Another vote for the JDI, I run some compression and dirt into it as needed but the DI itself is very clean.
I have a Countryman type 85, A Radial JDI, a Radial J48, and 2 Radial Pro DI's (I used to do a lot of FOH). If you're playing a passive bass straight into the DI, the Countryman will load your bass the least. The Radials all load the input with about 220k Ohms, which for some basses, takes a bit out of the upper mid peak - it might sound a tiny bit dull to you. For many folks, though, it's a non-issue. If you play with your tone control backed off at all, the change isn't something that will bother you.
On the other hand, if you have any pedals between your bass and the DI, given the lower source impedance of the last pedal, any of the Radials will work splendidly - my Pro DI's are velcro'd on my pedalboards.
On the other hand, if you have any pedals between your bass and the DI, given the lower source impedance of the last pedal, any of the Radials will work splendidly - my Pro DI's are velcro'd on my pedalboards.
