DI shootout: ampeg svt450, ampeg svtdi, radial jdi

I decided to record and do a side by side comparison of both of my DIs (radial jdi and ampeg svtdi) as well as the built in DI on the ampeg svt450 which has been my go to amp for my last 4 gigs.

My favorite was the svtdi (warmest sounding) followed by a close second by the radial. The di on the svt450 isn't bad, but it sounded thin to my ears no matter how I set the amps EQ.

heres a clip (some punk ska) for the TB community and the specs:

Ibanez Precision strung with rotosound 77 flats. Focusrite saffire 6 interphase. Clip I: Ampeg SVT 450 amp built in DI (slight treble and bass boost), Clip 2: Radial JDI, Clip 3: AMPEG SVTDI tube injection box. No EQ was added to any of the clips, just slight compression (focusrite compressor plugin).

https://soundcloud.com/garmenteros/20-bass-di-shootout?in=garmenteros/sets/bass-soundchecks

 

I will try to get some more DIs to compare in the next couple of weeks maybe.

 

My zeppelin tribute band's version of dazed and confused was recorded with a 70s ibanez jazz bass with rotosound flats with an ebs valvedrive (tube pre) into a radial jdi (i got the svtdi two weeks ago). Fingerstyle about midway between both pickups. I also had an ampeg b15n that was miced with a shure beta52a mic and we blended the signals, but I think the EBS and radial got the most of it. The interface used for the sessions was a focusrite liquid saffire 56.

For live gigs with this band I used an acoustic 370 amp into an ampeg heritage 410 with my pedalboard (which has the ebs valvedrive on it).

For the rage tribute gigs I did I used a modern sounding custom 5 string jazz (graphite neck, bartolinis, 35 scale). I use the ampeg svt450 because the acoustic 370 is vintage voiced. Eventually I plan on getting an ampeg svt heritage. I just try to sound really aggressive but at the same time clear and warm for this gig (the svtdi and ebs valvedrive help lots here). I boost the treble more than I'm used to on the ebs preamp and the amps EQ section because Tim C. has that attack in the high frequencies to me (probably has something to do about running dirty and clean cabs and mixing to FOH). I play almost at the bridge and hit hard and to top it off, have fun with a few pedals. Heres a crappy cellphone video of one of our gigs a month ago.

 

I don't record with the svt450. Its an OK head and would definitely get you through your first gigs and then some. 400USD sounds about fair for it, you could probably find one maybe 50 bucks cheaper but if its in good condition 400 is on the point. I just wanted to record some clips from the amps DI at home so other bass playing brothers could compare to some other standard and common DIs. I do medium clubs with and without PA support with the svt450 (maximum capacity anywhere from 100 people to 500 typically) and it gets the job done. By itself the svt450 sounds a bit sterile so I help it with the ebs preamp and svtdi (both tube driven).

In the studio I use my EBS valvedrive and my ampeg b15n miced. I got the svtdi a couple of weeks ago and will be using that now as well.

 

It does. I was between that, a REDDI, and the ampeg SVTDI and ended up with the SVTDI. Heres a pic of it on my rig last saturday.




and the board: