DI Use - application question

[theophilus762]

Whats up guys,

So I'm going to start playing gigs with P.A. support since my band is getting time at bigger venues and etc.

I'm running a LMII and an Avatar 410. Many of you know that the LMII has a DI, but it seems to also have issues with mismatched impedance, resulting in a thin, brittle sound coming out of the PA. (Several LMII owners have noted this).

I love the LMII when its going into the cab, but I'm in the market for an external DI so I can run to the PA effectively.

Here's my question:

Do I run my instrument to the DI, then xlr out to the FOH, and thru to the amp, or can I plug directly into the amp, and then place the DI to receive a signal from "tuner out" or "effect send"?

I figure a DI such as the Radial ProDI won't really color the sound, so I guess I'll be safe putting it before the amp, but I'm not really knowledgeable about DI use, so I could use some advice.

Thanks,
Joash

 

[JansenW]

I would run your bass into the ProDI input jack; the ProDI XLR out into the PA system; and the ProDI thru into your LMII bass input.

This way the PA would always get your signal, even if your LMII is turned off.

 

[bongomania]

Bass --> DI --> DI XLR to FOH; "thru" 1/4" to your amp. That's the normal configuration for almost all stand-alone DI's.

 

[theophilus762]

cool, thanks. thats what i thought.

 

[pickles]

Bass --> DI --> DI XLR to FOH; "thru" 1/4" to your amp. That's the normal configuration for almost all stand-alone DI's.

+1 its also the best possible config for gigging, so good call

 

[Carlo Tanori]

I would run your bass into the ProDI input jack; the ProDI XLR out into the PA system; and the ProDI thru into your LMII bass input.

This way the PA would always get your signal, even if your LMII is turned off.

+1. That's how I run my set up. The Radial ProDI is great, and of course the LM II. I've just become a new owner of the LM II. Great amp.

Carlo

 

[SteveC]

Fortunately my Genz Benz Neo-Pak has a nice DI.

I believe the preferred chain is bass --> DI --> XLR --> FOH and 1/4" --> stage amp.

I use a Radial JDI.

 

[theophilus762]

you guys think its worth investing in the JDI over the ProDI? I don't do studio work at all (although hopefully in the future) and limited to live gigging.

 

[Vin_MM_Sabre_79]

LMII has an internal pre/post switch for the DI.
ie: if you're DIing out of the amp- this will change whether it is including your preamp and its settings.
I'm not sure which it is set to by default- a MarkBass fan will know.

 

[SteveC]

The JDI is a sweet DI. Passive, Jensen transformer, lots of options, worth every penny.

 

[theophilus762]

LMII has an internal pre/post switch for the DI.
ie: if you're DIing out of the amp- this will change whether it is including your preamp and its settings.
I'm not sure which it is set to by default- a MarkBass fan will know.

the DI on the LMII has issues due to mismatched impedance with some boards like i stated in my OP. it results in a really thin, unusable sound from the pa.

 

[Emergancy Exit]

i like the sansamp DI, also the Ampeg SVT DI would sound great and boost your signal from the DI output on youre amp and run off of phantom power.

the radial is a good choice too!

 

[theophilus762]

now the search begins for a used Radial ProDI...

...or maybe a JDI if I can find one cheap enough...!

 

[figuredbass]

you guys think its worth investing in the JDI over the ProDI? I don't do studio work at all (although hopefully in the future) and limited to live gigging.

Unquestionably. Your live sound in the PA will benefit as well.

 

[danders]

The JDI is a sweet DI. Passive, Jensen transformer, lots of options, worth every penny.

Yep. I've been using either a JDI or a J48. Both are good boxes that you could probably park a truck on and not hurt. Don't think I'd try that though. I can't remember seeing them for sale used but I haven't looked all that hard either. Both of those are around double what the ProDI costs so you'll have to decide whether they're simply out of your range or not.

Hey Joash, I spent some time in your neck of the woods a long time back. I went to college in Bridgewater and my wife attended James Madison. We were married in the Westside Baptist church but my wife's family mostly moved away from there and I think 1985 was the last time I was in town.

Dave

 

[theophilus762]

Yep. I've been using either a JDI or a J48. Both are good boxes that you could probably park a truck on and not hurt. Don't think I'd try that though. I can't remember seeing them for sale used but I haven't looked all that hard either. Both of those are around double what the ProDI costs so you'll have to decide whether they're simply out of your range or not.

Hey Joash, I spent some time in your neck of the woods a long time back. I went to college in Bridgewater and my wife attended James Madison. We were married in the Westside Baptist church but my wife's family mostly moved away from there and I think 1985 was the last time I was in town.

Dave

Hey Dave,

Awesome dude. I'm a student at JMU right now, and a few of my friends go to Bridgewater. It's tons of fun, but the music scene isn't the greatest, haha.

 

[stingray56funk]

I may be a little late on this thread but....

I'd go with the Radial ProDI...one of the local venues in town (Bham) swears by those boxes...even next to his Countrymans, Radial J48s, JDI, and more. I use a GT Ditto tube DI...and it sounds just as clear and pristine as my GT...but minus the slight tube enhancement. Great DI and relatively inexpensive. Built like a small tank!