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D.I. Question

michinho

michinho

Oct 11, 2013
140
1
34
London, UK
soundcloud.com
#1
Hi all,

I've been thinking about getting a D.I. for my pedalboard. How many of you have one? I'm referring to Non-stomp box D.Is such as the Radial boxes.

I use a Genz Benz Shuttle 9.2 as my main head but unfortunately I don't always have the option of taking it everywhere with me, since I do a lot of gigs in central London, quite frequently. I love the sound I get from my Genz because the sound is very clean and does not alter the tone of my bass at all, Just letting my basses active electronics do the talking. What I want is a D.I. like a Radial to put on the end of my board for gigs when I have to go through the P.A. only.

Could I do this with a D.I. I mentioned? (e.g. Radial) I see that most have a thru output as well as the XLR output. Does this mean the thru output can just go to my amp without adding any tonal coloration to my tone? I just don't know much about them or what one to get. I'd like to get a good quality one that won't alter my tone or create any noise (hiss/hum for when i'm connecting it to the XLR input on my mini mixer for headphone practice) but not break the bank. I know some are passive and some are active. I use active and passive basses, does this make a difference?

I have an Aguilar Tonehammer which I tried in this fashion, but it dosn't do exactly what I require since there is some coloration on my Tone from it plus the D.I. is very hot and is noisy when I've tried it for the different circumstances I noted above.

Really need some expect advice!

Cheers!
 
#2
michinho said:
Could I do this with a D.I. I mentioned? (e.g. Radial) I see that most have a thru output as well as the XLR output. Does this mean the thru output can just go to my amp without adding any tonal coloration to my tone? I just don't know much about them or what one to get. I'd like to get a good quality one that won't alter my tone or create any noise (hiss/hum for when i'm connecting it to the XLR input on my mini mixer for headphone practice) but not break the bank. I know some are passive and some are active. I use active and passive basses, does this make a difference?
Click to expand...

I am not an expert, though there are experts here that will hopefully chime in. My experience says:

1. Yes, you can do it with a Radial DI. I use and have been very happy with the JDI model, which has a Jensen transformer inside and, being passive, doesn't require any power. Noiseless, pure, solid signal. It's a bit more than the standard Radial Pro models but the Jensen transformer and extra options are worth it IMO. The Radial Pro would be fine, though.
2. Yes, the Radial will offer a clean, uncolored thru output to your amp.
3. No, active or passive doesn't really matter, especially with the Radials. You may read otherwise (as I have), but for all practical purposes the passive will be fine in your situation. I routinely use a passive bass with my JDI, and lots of people here have reported using active basses with it with great results, as well.
 
#3
michinho said:
Could I do this with a D.I. I mentioned? (e.g. Radial) I see that most have a thru output as well as the XLR output. Does this mean the thru output can just go to my amp without adding any tonal coloration to my tone? I just don't know much about them or what one to get. I'd like to get a good quality one that won't alter my tone or create any noise (hiss/hum for when i'm connecting it to the XLR input on my mini mixer for headphone practice) but not break the bank. I know some are passive and some are active. I use active and passive basses, does this make a difference?
Click to expand...

Yes, you can do exactly that. The thru put is basically just a parallel input/output so it won't do anything to your tone.
As for active vs. passive: Conventional wisdom says to use a passive bass with an active DI and an active bass with a passive DI. You can use whichever you prefer without any ill effects. What does matter is the length of your cable run. If it's a short run it shouldn't matter in the least. If you're pushing the signal far an active DI could be beneficial as it's got a buffer. Active basses already have a buffer in them hence the reason why people say to use a passive DI. I use both active and passive basses with both active and passive DI's all the time.

Which DI to get?
The two industry standard boxes that are used all over the world are the Countryman Type 85 and the Radial JDI or J48.
It's been said that the Countryman Type 85 is a very similar DI to the one in GB heads. It's an active DI, sounds fantastic, and is indestructible.
The same goes for the Radial boxes. The JDI is passive and the J48 is active.

I have both a JDI and a Type 85. I think the Type 85 is in my gig bag right now but I wouldn't hesitate to use either one of them. I once had a problem with my REDDI humming away for a recording session and had to break out the JDI to save the day.
 
#8
michinho said:
What do you guys think of this for my needs?

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...
It will certainly WORK.
Only you can say if the extra money for a Jensen XFormer is worth it.
The Jensen part alone costs as much as that whole DI unless the prices have gone way down since I bought mine.

With a lot of rigs and a lot of Basses and PA's you won't hear the difference.
Nobody goes home singing the Direct Box :)
 
#9
michinho said:
What do you guys think of this for my needs?

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

I have a stagebug and like it a lot for live. Smaller and cheaper than a regular Radial but a nice step up from most of the cheap ART/Whirlwind $30 DIs. I've A/B compared it to some of the cheaper ones and there is a slight but noticeable difference through a crappy dive bar PA.
 
#12
At the very least I would go JDI
If you have the money and are very particular then the JDV.
The JDV is the cleanest DI I have ever heard.

and yes I use that on my pedalboard at this time.
 
#16
JustSomeDude said:
The Routing options on the JDV are pretty great.
I've never had the time to A/B it with the JDI.
Not cheap
Click to expand...
Hi JSD...
I have actually and a bunch of use did a DI shootout at a GTG.

1. As expected there is a major output difference with the JDI being a passive box.
2. You can hear the saturation with the JDI (especially with headphones) which is usually a nice trait.
However the JDV is uber-uber clear. What you put in is what you get out.

I love it live. I dig the JDI for headphone rehearsals, with Keys and fly dates.
 
#17
TonyP- said:
Hi JSD...
I have actually and a bunch of use did a DI shootout at a GTG.

1. As expected there is a major output difference with the JDI being a passive box.
2. You can hear the saturation with the JDI (especially with headphones) which is usually a nice trait.
However the JDV is uber-uber clear. What you put in is what you get out.

I love it live. I dig the JDI for headphone rehearsals, with Keys and fly dates.
Click to expand...
Good to know...thanks.
I use a Radial Bigshot ABY for extra routing with a homemade Passive DI with a Jensen Transformer.
Someday I should probably own a JDV but for most projects I work on the "grind" tone is appropriate.
 
#19
michinho said:
Hi all,

I've been thinking about getting a D.I. for my pedalboard. How many of you have one? I'm referring to Non-stomp box D.Is such as the Radial boxes.

I use a Genz Benz Shuttle 9.2 as my main head but unfortunately I don't always have the option of taking it everywhere with me, since I do a lot of gigs in central London, quite frequently. I love the sound I get from my Genz because the sound is very clean and does not alter the tone of my bass at all, Just letting my basses active electronics do the talking. What I want is a D.I. like a Radial to put on the end of my board for gigs when I have to go through the P.A. only.

Could I do this with a D.I. I mentioned? (e.g. Radial) I see that most have a thru output as well as the XLR output. Does this mean the thru output can just go to my amp without adding any tonal coloration to my tone? I just don't know much about them or what one to get. I'd like to get a good quality one that won't alter my tone or create any noise (hiss/hum for when i'm connecting it to the XLR input on my mini mixer for headphone practice) but not break the bank. I know some are passive and some are active. I use active and passive basses, does this make a difference?

I have an Aguilar Tonehammer which I tried in this fashion, but it dosn't do exactly what I require since there is some coloration on my Tone from it plus the D.I. is very hot and is noisy when I've tried it for the different circumstances I noted above.

Really need some expect advice!

Cheers!
Click to expand...

Hi, you may find this related thread helpful http://www.talkbass.com/threads/recommend-me-a-di-pedal.1072543/ Cheers
 
#20
Not sure I understand why the Tonehammer you already have doesn't work in this situation. It can be used as a DI with phantom power, XLR output, ground lift, etc. There's an option to make the EQ pre or post so it doesn't pass thru to the XLR and just becomes a direct box. With the box on and EQ set to noon, it's not adding any color to your sound and with the level and volume set to noon it's essentially unity gain or you could reduce the output if necessary. What am I missing?
 

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