I cant understand bass players that only want to use a DI live

Depends on the DI. A good one through a good monitor mix can be stellar. I tend to gig with an amp, but my PA sound still comes from my REDDI. The times I've left my rig at home and just had the DI through the monitors have been anything but disappointing.

 

I understand what you're saying and that was my feeling before the REDDI. However, a good DI will give you a rock solid sound that you can trust. On so many rock gigs I never knew if the sound coming through the PA was anywhere near what was coming through my increasingly-complex back line. Just remember that there are some truly great direct boxes available today that can inspire a player as much as an amp does.

 

I cant understand bass players that want to haul more gear than they have to.

I totally get the "feeling the sound" arguement, but for me the benefits of my di/iem rig outweigh the detractions. My tone still rocks (as told by others and our hired sound techs) and the iems let me hear EVERYONE better.

I still love my amp and when i cant trust the PA support i bring it. And use it... not often though.

 

As long as I am physically capable of hauling my Tube head and Cabs, I will be doing so. I don't think there's a right or wrong way but I sure prefer having my Rig behind me.

 

I can't understand musicians who are chained to their gear to get their sound.

Not sarcasm or a joke. I use my amplifier to make my sound louder, not to make my sound. I use EQ to adjust for the room, and the rare FX pedal for what it does, but I don't like my amps/cabs to color my sound.

 

A good % of us musicians don't have the type of PA (stage monitor) support that will make you leave your amp at home. I can count exactly 1 gig where the monitor setup gave a great stage wash including bass. I actually turned my amp down to a minimum that day. And I've been playing since the mid 70's. In any case, my rig is small and lightweight and I'm usually setup in 5-10 minutes tops. I can always turn down if I encounter a great stage monitor wash.

 

Cab coloration is in the bag w/ torpedo cab ..... I do always have a small combo along if I'm needing a little bit of monitoring volume or just feel like it!




P.S. it is a world of individuals.... more than one way to skin something that needs skinning ! ( especially varmints !)

 

If "using what you like is all that matters" what was the point of this?

 

If I had my way, in order of preference

Miked cab & DI from head (this is how they did it at CBGB, damn I miss that place)
Miked cab
DI from head
DI from SansAmp pedal

 

I like my amp.

I also like showing up to a gig and playing thru whatever amp is there.

I've never done it before, but I think I could do a gig that was DI only. As long as I could hear myself.

 

I've done some fly dates where somebody forgot to read the rider and played through just a DI, with a good soundman it's no big deal and you just get on with the gig.

 

Or have you ever thought. What's the point of taking toilet paper when camping, when there are ready supplies of leaves to wipe with.
Or have you any other analogies that cover less is affirmatively less.X

 

Yes, a DI for live. Some prefer it - you obviously do not. Thread solved

 

None

I would never not use an amp but there is no mystery about why others go ampless.

 

I have two Radial DI's. One Active,one passive..Depending on the board I have to send to.. Better sound and signal than my Amps can give to the front of house. Still prefer a rig on stage for a fuller deeper tone though. Usually have an option to mic my cab too.. The Sound man's happy and I get a great FOH sound .. My Stage sound is still great with both ...

 

I've hauled enough amps around to know that if I can get the same sound I want from a pedal/DI/amp sim/etc... AND the gig is appropriate for it, I'll go DI every time. My tone comes from my hands, my bass and my effects pedals, mainly.