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Good choices for a basic DI?

#43
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 much prefer my WTDI box over a straight DI box. I find that the built in Eden WT preamp will get me really close to the sound of going through my amp and cabs. I got it because we played a small brew pub over 40 Fridays a year hosting a 3-hour open mic. We'd play an hour and then call folks up off the list and play until closing after the last person played. They forced me to play through a Peavy 112 combo that I just could not get a decent sound out of. So I bought this WTDI; plugged my bass into it; and plugged it into that Peavey combo's "effects-return" jack. Viola! it that Peavey sounded like my Eden amp. I've made many backline amps sound like Eden amps with it (Peavey, Ampeg, acoustic, Mark Bass, GK, etc.). I can't do that with a straight DI.

Then one Friday it disappeared and I plugged it into our soundboard and played it through our mains and monitors. Sounded just great! I've played it a number of times "straight to the board" and it's always easy to dial in the same sound I get out of my Eden amps because I just set it up the same way I set my Eden amps up. All the controls do the same things that the ones on my Eden amps do. You also can't do that with a straight DI.

I also used it at a pro recording studio in Seattle in 2019 when they wouldn't let me use my Eden Amp and my DNA 410 cab because there was too much bleed-over with the drums (we shared their big room). They tried to hand me their generic DI to hook into the wall and I insisted on using my WTDI. At the end of the 3-hour session the engineer and the owner of the studio both came out to see what I was using with my Jazz Bass because it sounded so good. The raw recordings sounded excellent and the engineer told me that was exactly the signal I sent them. They made no EQ adjustments and added no compression to the signal. The only thing they did was adjust the level. We were all very pleased with it.

So I'm a fan of the preamp in the DI approach, especially if you have to go amp-less. You can control your EQ instead of begging the sound tech to make the various EQ adjustments for you. I like being in control of my sound and with the preamp DI boxes you can at least be in control of the sound you send them.

My WTDI cost me $149 when I bought it a few years back and is probably the best $149 I've ever spent on music gear. Looks like now you'll find them for $159 to $179. And, if you don't care for the Eden clean, clear, and full sound, just about every major manufacturer has a DI box with built-in preamp in their arsenal. You can buy a generic DI box for about $20, but it you want to perform without an amp and still have control over your sound, the DI box with built-in preamp is the way to go.

WTDI.JPG
 
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#47
Radial J48 active or JDI passive. Everything else is an also-ran.
General guidelines are passive bass, you want an active DI, and vice versa.
I have a Broughton P15 that I use as a DI. That said, I always have a JDI in my bag just in case.
But if you're building a board, go get something like a bassbone and use that as your preamp and DI. Never met a soundguy yet who wasn't happy to use one of those.
 
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#49
+what number are we at? on the Countryman Type 85. Recently picked it up to record and it makes my board sound great and high drive effects don't clip. Fwiw, I've been playing with the same guitar player for twenty years and he says my recorded tone has never sounded better. I think the Countryman has a lot to do with it.

I've also got a Radial passive Stagebug as my backup. Very affordable relatively speaking. There are also active Stagebugs, so there are options.

I play passive axes and prefer the Countryman. I need a booster in the chain to get my signal strong enough for the Stagebug. Not an issue since I run a booster always-on.

If you have a HPF+LPF you don't really need a cab sim. Once you have that dialed in to your liking, then your overdrive will give you the dirt you need.

Hope this helps.
 
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#50
packhowitzer said:
I use a Countryman, but instead of the venerable Type 85, I use the Type 10. It has served me well with both passive and active basses.

View attachment 4542871
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A most excellent DI!

It's strongest competition may be all of those nearly indestructible Type 85s still in use out there....:D. I have yet to see one in another soundco's DI kit...
 
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#52
Hey Brad,

Do you mean there are options out there you prefer over Telefunken quality- and/or price-wise? With backline companies I must have used quite a few different brands, but my extended experience is based on Countryman, Radial JDI and Telefunken among small boxes (I also have the REDDI and Millennia Media's TD-1). So I would love to hear what other boxes you would recommend.

Cheers,

Alper

bassbrad said:
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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#53
Alper Yilmaz said:
Hey Brad,

Do you mean there are options out there you prefer over Telefunken quality- and/or price-wise? With backline companies I must have used quite a few different brands, but my extended experience is based on Countryman, Radial JDI and Telefunken among small boxes (I also have the REDDI and Millennia Media's TD-1). So I would love to hear what other boxes you would recommend.

Cheers,

Alper
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Currently my favorites for bass are the @Sushi Box FX Finally Tube DI with the Jensen transformer and the Neve RNDI. I still use my Countryman type 85, MXR NG/LD (my first DI), Behringer DI100 and a Dietz passive DI with Jensen transformer from 1979. For my sound company I used ProCo DIs. I take my own bulletproof Radial JDI to gigs.

The Telefunken DIs that I have used both passive and active were not transparent and imparted character that I did not like or need on my basses. ymmv

High end DIs that I love for recording are the Avalon U5 and the Manley Vox Box that is really more of a Mic pre and the REDDI and TD-1.
 
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#55
A lot of good advice in this thread already. I will try to answer your questions directly.

mjcarp79 said:
For one thing, what are the benefits of a pricey pre-amp/DI unit over just a cheap, passive DI box?
Click to expand...

Preamp allow tone shaping, pasive DI boxes do not alow that. Considering you current pedalboard, I would go for a preamp. Broughton Messenger, Tech 21 Qstrip or MXR M81, for example. The other possibility is to exchange all your pedals (except for HPF/LPF) for something like EBS Microbass III. I own and use Broughton Messenger V1 and EBS Microbass II myself.

mjcarp79 said:
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?
Click to expand...

For plain pasive DI box, I would go for Radial.

SB-2 if you are on budget.

JDI if you want top notch.

Pro-DI if you want good quality/cost ratio.

I own and use JDI myself.
 
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#56
Ok so if you've been playing with amps, and want to stitch to a passive DI, you'll sound much different. Generally speaking bass amps color the sound a lot. What amp are you using? I'd suggest getting a DI with some sort of amp modulation.
 
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#57
Thanks Brad,

This is very useful info. Somehow, I like that engraved tonal character in the Telefunken; but I have to agree that it is not transparent and will not serve everyone's goals. I will definitely check the Sushi Box, even the name is enticing! :)

Cheers,

Alper

bassbrad said:
Currently my favorites for bass are the @Sushi Box FX Finally Tube DI with the Jensen transformer and the Neve RNDI. I still use my Countryman type 85, MXR NG/LD (my first DI), Behringer DI100 and a Dietz passive DI with Jensen transformer from 1979. For my sound company I used ProCo DIs. I take my own bulletproof Radial JDI to gigs.

The Telefunken DIs that I have used both passive and active were not transparent and imparted character that I did not like or need on my basses. ymmv

High end DIs that I love for recording are the Avalon U5 and the Manley Vox Box that is really more of a Mic pre and the REDDI and TD-1.
Click to expand...
 
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#58
Thanks for all of the informative responses! At this point, I am feeling inclined toward a preamp. As a number of of you have noted, my current setup has no provision for EQ adjustment.

So at this juncture, my question shifts to: which preamp? Two that have caught my attention are the Tech21 Q/Strip, and the MXR M81.
 
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