Distorted (the bad kind) signal when using M80 d.i.

[alanolynn]

As the title says, if I'm using my MXR M80 at the end of my signal chain as a DI, I get a harsh distortion; to the point where I need to dial back my volume quite a bit to keep it under control. I've tried eliminating the other pedals, thinking it may just be the signal is too hot by the time it gets to it, but it's all the same.

My pickups (passive split-P) are not high, and while I do get aggressive at times, I can't imagine it's normal for it to distort THAT much.

I still have my BX1500. Should I just plug my chain into the effects loop and use the DI from that instead?

 

[joel the bass player]

What were you using as a DI before?

At my old church I would always bring my Aguilar Tone Hammer to use instead of the old cheap direct box they had. The output on the Aggie would immediately be super distorted in our monitors because the gain was so much higher than the other box. Always had to run over and turn down the gain on the monitor mixer before I started playing. I always sounded great once everything was set right.

 

[alanolynn]

What were you using as a DI before?

At my old church I would always bring my Aguilar Tone Hammer to use instead of the old cheap direct box they had. The output on the Aggie would immediately be super distorted in our monitors because the gain was so much higher than the other box. Always had to run over and turn down the gain on the monitor mixer before I started playing. I always sounded great once everything was set right.

This is my first attempt at using a DI. Thing is, it's not the output of the DI, it's the signal going TO it. If I only turn the output volume down on the DI, which is plugged into an XLR channel in the board, its just a quieter distorted signal. The only relief I've been able to find is to turn down the volume on my bass. I suppose this can work, but I want to be consistent, and if I turn my bass volume down between songs, or between sets, I'll need to find that sweet spot all over again.