DI Box vs. XLR out on an amp

Unless the XLR out on your amp has a problem, you'll be just fine using it. IMHO, of course.

There are some people who prefer the Sansamp sound and there are also some who think there's something inherently bad about the DI outs on amps...

 

The two DI in a box and the DI on an amp have the same purpose - directly inject sound into a preamp for sound reproduction (either reinforcement or recording).

Most likely, a DI on an amp or SansAmp is adequate for the tasks which you speak.

Each DI is different; some have plenty of tailoring features to color your sound. Others do the exact opposite, trying to faithfully reproduce the source with little or no coloration.

As with anything else, quality and usefulness have several variables, including cost and personal preference.

 

I would prefer to ues the amp D.I but only because my sansamp (when i get it ) wont be at the end of the effects chain

 

depends on the amp,

i've had good and bad amp DI's. its a crap shoot.

 

Some amps' DIs can't handle phantom power from the mixer (SWR for one). In that case, you'll want a separate box when there is 48v on the line.

 

Good point. Don't let your Demeter VTBP-201s near phantom power, either.

 

+1 This is why I keep a good DI. I don't want to have to worry about the sound man hitting the phantom power on my line by mistake. I bought a great quality Radial Pro passive DI (couldn't justify the top of the line model for live sound) and just never worry about it. It is very cheap insurance.

I have used the DI out on the iAMP with good results before I bought the Radial. But I do not have the Jenson transformer and I am always nervous using it.

 

The big draws behind separate DI units are:

a) they're small and easily portable, which makes them cake to bring along to gigs and rig up.

b) they're easy to operate, so soundmen like them.

c) they're generally built to handle phantom power, so there's less guesswork about damaging your gear.

d) they have high-quality DI components (since that's the thrust of their utility), so noise shouldn't be an issue for recording.

A lot of manufacturers cram lousy DI's into amps, just so they can say the amp has a DI and take a bigger share of the market. For a gig, it might be okay (neglecting the phantom power issue), but in the studio, a poorly made, noisy DI will stand out like a sore thumb, and can be a major hassle. Shop based on your needs.

 

+1000

If you ever plug your pre's direct out into a mixer and no signal passes through when it should, disconnect it immediately. It's a sign that there may be phantom power and the output circuitry does not like it.

A good DI box is an important part of a pro's toolkit.

I have two, a home-built passive one using a very high quality Triad audio transformer, and an active one made by EWI that is powered by phantom or a 9V battery.

 

If you've got the Jensen transformer then its OK right?

 

I've used the 201S for a number of years and we always use Phantom with no isolation to the XLR buss. No problems what so ever... has the Jensen. I believe some older models (not the 201S) did not have the Jensen. Same was true for the H series for a while.. but they fixed that.

I also alway carry my trusty Radial JDI passive DI. This is a very handy unit. For instance my brandy new ThunderFunk amp's DI is just fine but I won't be able to have a signal that by passes the Preamp and Limiter. So.. if I want to have just my bass go into the Mixer (like most sound guys prefer) then I'll use my JDI. My 201S has a selector to select the 'post signal' but I rarely use it.

 

Thanks, guys. I did not know that; I remember reading the "phantom power" thing in the Demeter "manual".

 

the 201's are fine.

its the cousin, HBP-1, people should be concerned about which lacks the jensen transformer or any protection circuit.

btw, what about the adage:

passive bass : active DI
active bass : passive DI

truism?

 

Yes, the transformer isolates the amp from the phantom power.

I asked Radial about using a passive DI with a passive bass. I asked about the JDI since this was before the Pro came out: