DI Question

[Yakob]

Well, my band has been getting more and more practice time in, and we're getting close to playing some live shows. The issue is, most of these venues lack instrument mics (they have drum mics, though), so most people run their instruments to the PA via the DIP-out on the back of their amps.

My issue is that my bass amp is an old Peavey from the 80s, and while it sounds great and is durable as anything, it lacks the necessary DIP-out to run it into the PA. As such, I have begun the search for a good, relatively inexpensive DI box.

My quest has brought me two fine contenders, each with strengths and weaknesses. One of them has double shielding and is super-reinforced, while the other is more "standard" but has an attenuator. My question is: if I'm just running my bass through it, will I need the attenuator?

Besides those two points, both DIs are essentially identical. Quarter inch in and out with a 3-pin DIP-out and ground-lift switch.

Of note: my bass is a 2009 Fender Deluxe Active Precision Bass, hecho en Mexico.

Invalid Link Removed This one has the attenuator, and the 3-pin DIP-out is black plastic.
Invalid Link RemovedThis one is the "reinforced" one, with a tougher looking DIP-out and extra shielding.

 

[bongomania]

You don't need the attenuator. That's only for line-level or (in some cases) speaker-level signals that need to be cut significantly before feeding into the mic preamp inputs at the desk. Any normal bass will not need that.

Side note: DIP? Those are called XLR or Cannon plugs, I've never seen them called DIP before.

 

[testing1two]

No need for the attenuator unless you plan to use the DI for other purposes at some point (keyboards, samplers, iPods) that may have hotter signals.

I am a little puzzled by Livewire's choice to make a DI box that's not shielded and then offer a shielded version without an attenuator. I would rather have a Whirlwind or Radial DI box that has both proper shielding and an attenuator.

 

[bassbrad]

I'm curious why you chose those 2 in particular over other contenders in the same price range. The passive Whirlwind IMP-2 is the one to beat in this price range as it is the usual bench mark.
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Whirlwind-IMP-2-Standard-Direct-Box?sku=184302

I have several of the Behringer DI that are pretty bullet proof especially the DI100 which has been thru the wars and still works great
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Behringer-ULTRADI-DI100-Direct-Box?sku=182452

 

[Yakob]

Side note: DIP? Those are called XLR or Cannon plugs, I've never seen them called DIP before.

Whoops. I meant DIN (I should NOT type before my nap ). And the reason I call it a DIN is because that's what it looks like to me .

Dare to compare:

- XLR

- DIN

I am a little puzzled by Livewire's choice to make a DI box that's not shielded and then offer a shielded version without an attenuator. I would rather have a Whirlwind or Radial DI box that has both proper shielding and an attenuator.

They're both shielded, the one without the attenuator is just more "heavy duty", with extra shielding and steel reinforcements added on.

I'm curious why you chose those 2 in particular over other contenders in the same price range. The passive Whirlwind IMP-2 is the one to beat in this price range as it is the usual bench mark.

Simple answer is, I didn't see it. I didn't know it was the "bench mark", and based on the reviews (comparing Live Wire to Whirlwind products) I assumed that the Live Wire DIs were a higher quality.

The reason I didn't and won't even consider Behringer is because I have had serious issues with them in the past, everything from issues with the product (a pedal, new from the factory, came already opened and DOA :scowl to issues with customer service (they still made me pay return shipping on the pedal AND the warranty I got for it after telling me that I would have to pay shipping to send the old pedal back and pay for shipping AGAIN for the new pedal). I decided, "Screw it," returned everything, and I refuse to deal with them or their crap ever again.

 

[bongomania]

In the camp of simple, reliable, cheap DI boxes, dbx makes a couple very worthy and rugged contenders.

 

[walterw]

...the reason I call it a DIN is because that's what it looks like to me .

that's nice, but if you want whoever you're talking with to know what you're going on about, it's an XLR.

+1 to the ol' whirlwind IMP as the industry standard for cheap but bulletproof DI boxes.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

PM me your address. I just got a great deal on a Countryman from a TBer so the Rapco DI-100 I was using will no longer be used. It looks new and its yours free if you want it.

 

[dcr]

that's nice, but if you want whoever you're talking with to know what you're going on about, it's an XLR.

+1 to the ol' whirlwind IMP as the industry standard for cheap but bulletproof DI boxes.

+1 to that! I have a couple of Imps that are going on 20+ years old that I still use regularly.



dcr

 

[TimmyP]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] Great DI for the money. The Radial Pro48 and J48, and Countryman 85 are better, but are also a lot more money. I see no reason to any other than one of these four.