DI

[jmeid]

Awesome I got the answers I was looking for.

One last thing:

Which type or brand DI box is not going to alter the singnal at all from my bass?

 

[KJung]

I don't have one yet, I'm looking into buying and I was wondering if DI would be an option to consider also.

I think that I'm probably going to buy a LMII.

If you happen to buy an LMII, the default factory setting is post EQ.. which again can be OK or not, based on the good comments above. However, it's VERY easy to change the setting to pre EQ, and I've found that DI works quite nicely.

Changing the DI to pre EQ only requires that you take the top off the amp and switch a jumper.. no tools needed. Unless you are playing through super-duper concert level top of the line front of house systems, the pre eq DI from the LMII, or any decent amp, should work fine for you. I would try that prior to spending money on a DI. Good ones (that would give you sound better than the amp DI) are close to $200 (Radial JDI, Countryman, etc.)

FYI. If you end up with an LMII, PM me and I'll send you the jumper diagram, or just search the MB threads... it's out there in a few posts.

K

 

[jmeid]

If you happen to buy an LMII, the default factory setting is post EQ.. which again can be OK or not, based on the good comments above. However, it's VERY easy to change the setting to pre EQ, and I've found that DI works quite nicely.



K

Then your saying I would only have to use the DI from the amp... no seperate box?

 

[peterpalmieri]

No switch on the amp, it's definitely pre EQ.

I ordered a compressor/gate last week which will solve my problem. I'll have to insert it into the bass channel on the board..

That's a pretty good solution as long as your always using that board with the compressor inserted. If it's not to late looking for a DI box/pre amp that has a built in compressor would be more flexible assuming you purchased a rack unit and not a pedal...

 

[KJung]

Then your saying I would only have to use the DI from the amp... no seperate box?

Correct.... it has a decent DI right on the back panel of the amp. It's not a fancy-schmancy Jensen box or anything, but in most live applications, that's overkill. Again, switching the setting to pre EQ should give you a pure signal (i.e., that will sound just like your bass into the mixing board) by using a mic cable right out of the back of the amp.

The only reason to spend another couple of hundred on a top of the line separate DI is IMO if you are going into a zillion dollar system that has such precision and quality that you would notice the IMO and IME very subtle differences between a super duper DI and a reasonably good one like the ones built into most amps.


K

 

[jmeid]

Awesome!

Thanks for all your guy's help

 

[PaperbackRyder]

I always use a DI, plugged in between my bass and my amp. I used to go post-eq from the amp, but it is near impossible to get a good balance between what the FOH hears and what I get from the amp.
So for a DI unit, one can either;
Use the House guy's DI. Many times the FOH guy has a DI which he knows, likes and trusts. Usually this is a good way to go.
The challenge is when the FOH guy is or the DI unit is crappy.
Then? Use your own DI, but get a good one. I have heard good things about the Radial, Countryman and Whirlwind (Pro) products. Have used many myself. I own a few pedals which are multi-purpose and provide DI; A Zoom MultiEffects, a SansAmp ParaDriver DI, a Fishman ProEQPlus, Aphex Punch Factory. These get chosen depending on the material, venue & the instruments which then determine the amount of eq/processing I want to send to the FOH.

 

[KJung]

I used to go post-eq from the amp, but it is near impossible to get a good balance between what the FOH hears and what I get from the amp.

Again, assuming that your amp does not have a pre EQ DI option, which most amps do.