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Good choices for a basic DI?

#22
I can do this three ways depending on the venue, gear, or my preference on the day:

Option 1: Radial DI. I use a Radial ProDI Passive Direct Box (some venues I play at supply an active DI, both work in my experience)
Option 2: Radial Tonebone BassBone. I won this at an auction at a music festival for $80 CAD. Fantastic unit that supports two inputs so I can have separate mixes for two basses. One channel has more EQ options than the other, but still, it works great for me.
Option 3: Zoom B3. It is the older version, but it works and you get passable amp modeling and effects.
 
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#27
mjcarp79 said:
I am in the process of putting together my first pedal board. It is pretty basic: tuner, compressor, HPF+LPF, and overdrive, so far.

However, I am wishing to acquire the ability to go amp-less. I have been surfing the web for DI boxes, pre-amp DI units, etc. Thus far, I an overwhelmed by all of the choices.

For one thing, what are the benefits of a pricey pre-amp/DI unit over just a cheap, passive DI box?

I don't need anything fancy, just the minimum to have the option of going amp-less (when the situation allows.)

If a basic, passive DI box would be all that I would need, what are some good options? Are they all about the same? Or are the some to avoid?

Sorry for the very ignorant noob questions, but I would appreciate any insight. Thanks!
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I’ve had one of these since the came out. Totally awesome. A couple of things. One is the required voltage is higher than 9 volts, I think 14 or more. The second is Eden is not in production that I’m aware of as Marshall sold them to a receiving company. That said, it’s a great pedal with tones of features and will not make you broke buying it.

upload_2022-1-14_13-20-7.jpeg
 
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#30
bassbrad said:
@mjcarp79 a good question. DI boxes are a good tool for every bass player anything from the basic passive DI that @iiipopes suggested to something more expensive or featured if you desire or need for recording. I have a collection of DI boxes from all my years in the bizness and appreciate them all.

To cut through all the hype and voodoo this is a fair & well written article on the subject covering a broad range of DI boxes, my one gripe is they did not include the industry standard Countryman Type 85 for comparison or to set a baseline. I do own several of the DIs featured and have played through them all one time or another and agree with the results. The Great Direct Box Comparison with Audio Samples | Sweetwater
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I just spent way more time than I probably should have listening to the samples in this shootout. I'm amazed at some of the differences between them - for example, I found the Telefunken TDA-1 to be noticeably darker than any of the others. It sounded like a different bass!
 
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#31
skyline_01 said:
I just spent way more time than I probably should have listening to the samples in this shootout. I'm amazed at some of the differences between them - for example, I found the Telefunken TDA-1 to be noticeably darker than any of the others. It sounded like a different bass!
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Some DIs do have a positive or enhancing character where others not so much. I can recognize the differences and often appreciate them but honestly there are many I do not care for or feel are just a bit much in price for the minimal if any enhancements.
I have used Telefunken gear in the past in Europe that was magnificent but the current offerings left me a bit put off tbh.
 
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#36
bassbrad said:
Some DIs do have a positive or enhancing character where others not so much. I can recognize the differences and often appreciate them but honestly there are many I do not care for or feel are just a bit much in price for the minimal if any enhancements.
I have used Telefunken gear in the past in Europe that was magnificent but the current offerings left me a bit put off tbh.
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Yep, I was shocked at the differences from one to another. And no knocks on Telefunken - I know they make great gear and that DI sounded warm and wooly.
 
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#38
It is not that hard, actually.
You got to decide between 2,5 scenarios:
1. Your signal is fine and all done, all you want to do is to send it to the mixer from a symmetrical XLR out.
The most basic DI will get the job done. Omit the runt of the litter and don't go with the cheapest of the cheap, but as soon as you hit a certain quality, a DI is a DI. All it does is taking the input signal and transforms it to a symmetrical signal. There's not much Voodoo to be expected here.


2. You want the DI to add something more.
In that case, you can spend top dollar on the Noble Preamp DI, the REDDI and their likes. Or you could go a little cheaper and get a Sushi Box FX Finally. These are tube loaded and will sprinkle a little bit tube magic on your signal.
If you're among those that claim money does not grow on trees and you need some sound forming done, you could take your pick from the ever growing avalanche of bass preamps that have a DI output. Sansamps are very popular for a simple reason: They work.


2.5: You want to go direct (Bass->DI)
If you want to go direct and have a passive bass, you should get an active DI. The signal from your passive pickups should be buffered at some point.
 
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