I have a MXR DI+ that has a DI output/jack and I´m considering getting a Hartke LH500 that also has a DI output. I´ve read a lot that people who do live sound prefer a DI box/pedal to DI from a head for better sound, but what´s the difference between DI from a box/pedal and from a head?
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DI from a pedal or DI box vs DI from a head:
- Thread starter O.j. Malm
- Start date
+1 on transformers.
Quality of the DI itself, I would guess. Amp manufacturers aren't as likely to stick a Jenson transformer in an amp when they can stick any ol' DI in, save some bucks and still list "DI" in the amp's features.
Quality of the DI itself, I would guess. Amp manufacturers aren't as likely to stick a Jenson transformer in an amp when they can stick any ol' DI in, save some bucks and still list "DI" in the amp's features.
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There's a DI in my GK MB115 combo, and there's never been a problem with sound. I've never had a soundman tell me that my sound sucked. The one thing I don't like about it is that you need a screwdriver or another such small flat thingy to push in the tab so you can pull out the cable at the end of the gig. I keep my Swiss Army knife handy just for that.
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If your preamp/amp is noisy, then you'll hear that through the XLR out too.
Mine is kinda hissy (probably just need to clean the pots), so I use a JDI separately for recording.
Live, it probably doesn't matter though since things are so loud anyway you may not hear the hiss through the PA system.
Mine is kinda hissy (probably just need to clean the pots), so I use a JDI separately for recording.
Live, it probably doesn't matter though since things are so loud anyway you may not hear the hiss through the PA system.
1. Most sound men like their own DI because the know it, and know what to expect.
2. The sound man does not want your amp's eq in his mix, so if you don't have a pre eq switch, forget it.
3. Your amp runs on AC. You may end up with a ground loop between your amp, powered on stage, and his board, powered somewhere miles away. If you don't have a ground lift, at least, it can cause hum. Even with a ground lift, you may not be able to get rid of the noise.
All that said, I've had great luck with sound men using the DI from my amps, but all three have very good transformers.
2. The sound man does not want your amp's eq in his mix, so if you don't have a pre eq switch, forget it.
3. Your amp runs on AC. You may end up with a ground loop between your amp, powered on stage, and his board, powered somewhere miles away. If you don't have a ground lift, at least, it can cause hum. Even with a ground lift, you may not be able to get rid of the noise.
All that said, I've had great luck with sound men using the DI from my amps, but all three have very good transformers.
you can use either.. they will each give a different sound that may come in handy at different situations. the only setback is that if you use the amp DI on post. you may not be able to push the amp on stage as the volume will affect the signal going to the mixer. on pre DI mode it should not be an issue.
Actually, the DI on those TC Electronic RH450/750 are actually fantastic sounding. Super clear and full. No ground loop, but there is a pre/post EQ switch.
i go direct out of the back of my Mark Bass Jeff Berlin....Beautiful signal....Unless we do a show where there is a supplied sound man.LOL most of the time he will insist you plug in to his DI box before your amp cause thats better.As soon as he,s on his way to the board i unplug and hook his chord into to my amp DI ha ha .Works every time.....
Yeah, another reason I got the JDI.
I can split the signal from my pedal board to my amp and the mixer.
This way I set and forget the effects' volume, and the sound guy can adjust as needed while I fart with my own stage volume.
I hate to imagine a sound guy/gal that would refuse a JDI.
I can split the signal from my pedal board to my amp and the mixer.
This way I set and forget the effects' volume, and the sound guy can adjust as needed while I fart with my own stage volume.
I hate to imagine a sound guy/gal that would refuse a JDI.
Assuming a multi band festival setting, as a sound guy I prefer supplying the di and having it come prior to your amp. Yeah, I know all the pile on that is about to happen but.. Your cab's probably don't sound anything like my FoH which invalidates those eq settings you slave over. If you have some thing really special, we can talk about a mic as well.
My job is make you and your band sound as good as I can. Being a bass guy, I spend a lot of time on the bass and drums as that is where the majority of issues are. I believe that properly architecting the low end is THE place to start and that everything else floats on top of that in a good mix. Blue grass to hip hop.. That approach seems to work pretty well.
My job is make you and your band sound as good as I can. Being a bass guy, I spend a lot of time on the bass and drums as that is where the majority of issues are. I believe that properly architecting the low end is THE place to start and that everything else floats on top of that in a good mix. Blue grass to hip hop.. That approach seems to work pretty well.
That's the problem. Pre DI works. Doesn't mean I have to justify my rig tone as special in order to use my mic.
With the risk of being stomped on I'll have to say that generally speaking I believe the question of the importance of the DI box in a live setting, particularily for loud music, is a bit overstated. In most cases just about any DI will do the job unless it's a really crappy box; at live sound levels you very quickly reach a limit in terms of cost/benefit. Recording is another matter; there you'll actually hear a difference between different DIs and what sound and detail they provide.
If I use my own amp and PA I'll use the DI in my amp or in my pedalboard (VTDI or SABDDI), either sound fine to me. If there is a house backline most likely there is also a supplied and connected DI as well, in which case I just plug my pedalboard into that amp/DI and use what the soundman is used to operating.
If I use my own amp and PA I'll use the DI in my amp or in my pedalboard (VTDI or SABDDI), either sound fine to me. If there is a house backline most likely there is also a supplied and connected DI as well, in which case I just plug my pedalboard into that amp/DI and use what the soundman is used to operating.
Please recall my initial assumption of festival multi band setting.
1. You simply wouldn't believe what some folks show up with. I'm guessing few of those folks are TB'ers...
2. Your head and DI (may or may not be) inside a rack along with other crap I have to dig through. Yes that happens... It's band change over time and there is a fairly high level of activity. I seriously don't want the responsibility of messing about in your rack of crap and potentially dislodging an already shaky connector cable. Yes that happens...
3. You and I (or your band's tech rep) have already communicated - if you or he was paying attention as 2 to 4 weeks ahead of the event as I have pinged performers for stage plots and input lists. I get around 20 to 25 % no response. So I know if you're special when I'm stringing cable for the event and already have a line planned for you. If I don't deem your situation to be special enough, I may not bother with the request though I will explain that ahead of time...
The DI in my GK heads would not qualify as special in my book. It is there as a convenience only.
4. You are pre-DI and you would spurn my already connected Type 85 or Radial in favor of the built in DI on your GK, Markbass, Ampeg... And ask me to spend time on running a special cable from my snake to your amp just so we can use the DI in your head ? Really ? I'm beginning to understand the Van Halen no brown M&Ms thing...
It's one thing if I'm working for a 3 hour show, 1 band, leisurely setup - of course few bands actually show up early enough for that.. in a single stage festival setting, expediency is the name of the game in the change over. The more time we spend on wiring, the less time we spend on getting your sound. That is the reality for small sound company operators and the bands that play those events.
