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Firefly or Reddi
- Thread starter diglo
- Start date
If the Firefly can do what my JDI does with a bit of added tube harmonics and compression I'll be happy 
but then again I'm more a fan of the clean U5 sound than the REDDI tone so I guess it depends what you're looking for...
The Avalon V5 also looks really interesting to me, but more from a studio versatility point of view compared to the U5
but then again I'm more a fan of the clean U5 sound than the REDDI tone so I guess it depends what you're looking for...The Avalon V5 also looks really interesting to me, but more from a studio versatility point of view compared to the U5
Rickett Customs
Commercial User
I think that although some might knock the firefly, compared to the REDDI (which is asinine, due to the fact that the same knockers haven't even tried it and just scoff at the design).......but then again not all of us want that "B-15" sound. I for one, am one of these folks....If I wanted a B-15 sound, I'd rather just get a B-15.
bongomania
Commercial User
Invalid Link Removed
"When we plugged in the Precision Bass... Overdriving the input was far more obvious and less desirable."
As a reader, I interpreted that to mean he did not like the sound when the input was driven hard.
I don't think anybody here was talking about "distortion pedal" type dirt, but rather the "light grit, just breaking up" sound. And it's not that they expect any tube DI to have that sound, but they do ask the question "can it get that sound". It's useful to know one way or the other. For example, it's well-established that the Summit TD100 doesn't do overdrive either, so people who have done their homework don't buy it with that expectation.
Already got one. Loved to mic it, too, but unfamiliar soundmen often didn't share my enthusiasm. So I got a REDDI. Doesn't just do B-15 tone, though...sounds like a speaker DI'd SVT, too.
Jason, I get what you're saying, but it's not scoffing at the design...it's trying to assess what it'll do without the benefit of hearing it and being honest about what I see. I'm sure it'll be a great sounding DI designed more for folks who like solid state and hybrids, and will probably sell quite well. I'm just pointing out the differences between it and the REDDI, and everyone can make up their own mind about what they hear or what they're looking for.
EDIT: I will say that I think it's totally great that the president of Radial's SN on Talkbass is "Bonemeister." You can never be too presidential for a good sense of humor!
svtb15
Inactive
- Mar 22, 2004
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- I play it all. Whatever works for the gig. Q+
When you have a unit like the Firefly. you may get it to sound OK for you when at home listening through headphones in your bedroom. But when you get it to a session and the clock is ticking ,or you are on a gig and the FOH guy doesn't think your Idea impedance , tone tweaking is OK for his FOH and the room that day.. then what?
Coming from and trained in a NYC studio mind set ... You cant waste time tweaking.. gotta get it done and move to the next gig if you want to make the rent payment
Thats why i like the KISS "Keep It Simple Stupid" approach with a piece of Pro Audio gear. tried and used by Grammy award engineers.. KISS Just my .02
Coming from and trained in a NYC studio mind set ... You cant waste time tweaking.. gotta get it done and move to the next gig if you want to make the rent payment
Thats why i like the KISS "Keep It Simple Stupid" approach with a piece of Pro Audio gear. tried and used by Grammy award engineers.. KISS Just my .02
Agree. I am looking for more than just that great sound.
The paraphrase of that quote seems a bit out of context, as a chunk of text is left out. Thank you for posting the link to actually see the full quote devoid of the paraphrase and your interpretation.
A conclusion from the same review: "...The bass sound it renders is warm and round, yet still big and punchy. The harmonic content is fantastic..."
As a JDI and J48 user, I am looking forward to trying the Firefly. It is an instrument DI that is not limited solely to bass. As a multi instrumentalist, this is appealing and valuable to me.
As a point of reference my favorite and most-used bass amp is an Acoustic Image Clarus IIr, which also has a multi-instrument orientation.
Having never heard a reddi, I'm pretty sure they sound mediocre. Based on the looks.
You fanboys are killing me!
I get the simplicity point for sure but "may get it to sound ok in your bedroom" and insinuating that features hinder ones ability to pay rent is silly. We get it, you and Jimmy think the reddi is the best. 
Rickett Customs
Commercial User
See, the top half of this statement is what I mean about scoffing, please tell me that you have used the firefly in a recording or gig situation and i'll shut up. Otherwise:
I completely understand where you're coming from with keeping it simple.
All I'm saying here is what might be best for you, might not be best for anyone else. I'm sure you endorse products that you believe in, but the REDDI is not the only DI out on the market either and that is the way it comes across.
I'm not
But I hope I'm not mis-characterizing the REDDI here when I say how much it sounds like the B-15. It's not a dirty sounding DI at all, nor does it sag like when you push a B-15 a little too hard. It's actually very tight and very clean to my ears. A lot of folks think Ampeg and think only dirt, but they were actually invented with the purpose of reproducing bass cleanly, and the original owner of Ampeg was very much against loud volumes and distortion. And when you run them clean, I think they sound very tight and clean. Early B-15's were also released as A-15's so accordion players would use them
OK, OK, I'll stop. Maybe a Firefly would be more suited to you if you dig the AI stuff.
svtb15
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Sorry you take it as insulting as i was trying to make a factual statement about you "not you" but yall, getting your sound tweaked in at home.. then trying to make it work on a gig on a sound check..
Where there are perhaps a few hundred threads on here stating soundmen never want to give the bass player enough time to get a sound.. but they spend all their time on drums and vocals etc..
So go ahead.... im looking forward towards your review.
Where there are perhaps a few hundred threads on here stating soundmen never want to give the bass player enough time to get a sound.. but they spend all their time on drums and vocals etc..
So go ahead.... im looking forward towards your review.
Having never heard a reddi, I'm pretty sure they sound mediocre. Based on the looks.
You fanboys are killing me!
bongomania
Commercial User
The part I quoted was the only part directly relevant to the issue I was discussing. Note too that the only reason I mentioned it at all was because discussions of "tube sound" almost always include the question of how it sounds when pushed harder.staccatogrowl said:
BTW, I got your fanboy. Wow, didn't see that one before. Almost wish I hadn't. A little disappointed to hear that coming out of you, Metron.
svtb15
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- Mar 22, 2004
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- I play it all. Whatever works for the gig. Q+
Thats true... And the reason is i have played almost every DI that is reviewed here and then some that no one has ever heard of.. Ive been doing this since 1976.. not tootng my horn, .. I dont need to... Just explaining a little
... So i try to relay my experience so i can help people to not spend the $$$$$$$ that i have, getting to a point where a when im doing a $$$ gig and the engineers says he never heard anything as good as that.. "REDDI" Just saying
... So i try to relay my experience so i can help people to not spend the $$$$$$$ that i have, getting to a point where a when im doing a $$$ gig and the engineers says he never heard anything as good as that.. "REDDI" Just saying
svtb15
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- I play it all. Whatever works for the gig. Q+
Im not knocking anyone but I am skeptical about the Firefly external power supply - 130v is low (a charge pumped wall wart)? If Peter would post some pics (see my post 25, 35, and 36) and publish the specs wed know more than just marketing hype.
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
As a doubler, I like the idea of plugging an electric bass and a DB into a two-channel DI that provides independent level controls for each channel, a tuner output, mute capabilities, a variable HPF, variable input impedance, etc.
That said, I haven't found anything on the Radial site that tells me if the HPF and variable input impedance effect both channels, or only one; if both channels are effected, channel switching becomes problematic. And having to buy a separate box to mute for tuning seems ludicrous to me.
Any idea what will they cost?
Guess I'll have to wait until they hit the stores to have my questions answered.
That said, I haven't found anything on the Radial site that tells me if the HPF and variable input impedance effect both channels, or only one; if both channels are effected, channel switching becomes problematic. And having to buy a separate box to mute for tuning seems ludicrous to me.
Any idea what will they cost?
Guess I'll have to wait until they hit the stores to have my questions answered.
svtb15
Inactive
- Mar 22, 2004
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- I play it all. Whatever works for the gig. Q+
Im not a fan of external Power supply s unless its on a device that i would leave at home.. Just my .02
Unless it also runs on Phantom...
The thing that gets my head spinning is People on TB always comment how they want something " TRANSPARENT" and to not affect the sound of their bass.. When a device such as the Firefly seems to be just that.. a tone altering device with the Impedance changing etc..
Unless it also runs on Phantom...
The thing that gets my head spinning is People on TB always comment how they want something " TRANSPARENT" and to not affect the sound of their bass.. When a device such as the Firefly seems to be just that.. a tone altering device with the Impedance changing etc..
