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DI box question
- Thread starter MycooLeeyun
- Start date
I doubt very much that you will hear any difference plugging any external DI into the Mbox XLR input compared to the DI socket on the front. After all. DI boxes are all destructive to audio quality because they reduce the output of the source, then have to use a mic preamp to get it back up to line level.
The question really should be "what is wrong with my sound through the mbox?" Do you feel there is something missing, or just not right? I'm afraid I'm one of those who view DI boxes as a tool to do a job, and find the claims of magic from some and disgust from others to be a bit amusing - kinds of hi-fi snake oil. Tonight I had a PC on stage that did the usual PSU noise thing, so I fed the output to a DI, and then into the PA. The DI was ancient, dirt cheap and very basic. It cured the problem and the audio quality was fine. There was a BSS in the mic box, but I can't hear the difference in a blind test. In a test where you know what you're listening to, may there is a little more HF with the clever one - but it's subtle - and I'm convinced that with some eq, whatever is missing can be restored.
I'm fully aware of the technical reasons why expensive clever DIs should sound better, but I can't hear it!
The question really should be "what is wrong with my sound through the mbox?" Do you feel there is something missing, or just not right? I'm afraid I'm one of those who view DI boxes as a tool to do a job, and find the claims of magic from some and disgust from others to be a bit amusing - kinds of hi-fi snake oil. Tonight I had a PC on stage that did the usual PSU noise thing, so I fed the output to a DI, and then into the PA. The DI was ancient, dirt cheap and very basic. It cured the problem and the audio quality was fine. There was a BSS in the mic box, but I can't hear the difference in a blind test. In a test where you know what you're listening to, may there is a little more HF with the clever one - but it's subtle - and I'm convinced that with some eq, whatever is missing can be restored.
I'm fully aware of the technical reasons why expensive clever DIs should sound better, but I can't hear it!
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,086
- 5
- 221,200
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
The primary job of any DI is to transform the high impedance output of the bass into a low impedance signal, and also to provide isolation and ground lifting capabilities. If you intend on driving line level inputs of a DAW the you need to be sure your DI can support line level output. An active DI is going to be the proper tool in order to get a high enough input impedance for passive basses.
Your shuttlemax has all of this built in, including line level output (switched between mic of line) and since my background is heavy in pro audio, it's going to sound like and function like a pro audio piece.
Your shuttlemax has all of this built in, including line level output (switched between mic of line) and since my background is heavy in pro audio, it's going to sound like and function like a pro audio piece.
So lets be clear, there are 2 types of preamps and di's. There are "clean" ones, which try to pass the input signal as accurately as possible and not impart a "sound" of their own, and then there are "character" ones which add specific (generally pleasant-sounding) distortions to the signal, similar to going through an instrument amp.
When youre talking about a di improving the sound, you're likely looking for the second type. Very often you can use a clean di and add that color afterwards via plug-ins. An overloaded compressor is a common choice for bass (1176, particularly)
Your M2 is probably capturing a reasonably accurate representation of the signal coming from your bass. It's just that you're not accustomed to hearing that until it has been mangled by the circuitry and speakers of your amp. So get mangling with plugins!
When youre talking about a di improving the sound, you're likely looking for the second type. Very often you can use a clean di and add that color afterwards via plug-ins. An overloaded compressor is a common choice for bass (1176, particularly)
Your M2 is probably capturing a reasonably accurate representation of the signal coming from your bass. It's just that you're not accustomed to hearing that until it has been mangled by the circuitry and speakers of your amp. So get mangling with plugins!
Interesting point. Looks like what I'm going to do is invest in a new interface and then use my shuttlemax as a DI.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,086
- 5
- 221,200
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Why a new interface... is there a demonstrated problem with the one you are using or is there a perceived problem that may or may not exist?
Well, I am aware that my mbox2 is sort of outdated in terms of microphone preamps. I want to eventually be able to record a full drum set and the Focusrite 18i20 will allow me to do that. I don't want to invest in any microphone preamps right now, so I figured the new interface with good preamps in it would be a safe bet. There really isn't any demonstrated problem with my mbox2, I just feel like a new interface will improve my overall recordings.
