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I think I need a D.I. Recommendations?
- Thread starter Evil Undead
- Start date
If you're going ampless, you will probably want an preamp with a DI, not just a DI.
A DI is a different beast from a preamp. A preamp is to get your sound on stage. If you're using one with a DI out, make sure it has a pre post switch for eq, and lift. The sound man can typically get a much better sound for you out front without your eq, and the lift can cancel hums and buzzes.
A DI is for your sound out front. It gives a pure sound from your instrument, balanced and at ideal levels for the mixer.
I like Radial stuff. I carry a JDI and a JDV. I use my TH500 90% of the time any more, but most sound guys prefer to get the signal as close to the bass as possible, and will want the DI.
I've experimented with a REDDI into a power amp and cab, also feeding the mains, and it's absofreakinlutely awesome! With my active bass, I have the tone controls on my instrument. I have to figure out a compact system to make this worthwhile...
(Unfortunately, I can't always rely on the sound companies to provide a suitable monitor, or a separate mix.)
A DI is a different beast from a preamp. A preamp is to get your sound on stage. If you're using one with a DI out, make sure it has a pre post switch for eq, and lift. The sound man can typically get a much better sound for you out front without your eq, and the lift can cancel hums and buzzes.
A DI is for your sound out front. It gives a pure sound from your instrument, balanced and at ideal levels for the mixer.
I like Radial stuff. I carry a JDI and a JDV. I use my TH500 90% of the time any more, but most sound guys prefer to get the signal as close to the bass as possible, and will want the DI.
I've experimented with a REDDI into a power amp and cab, also feeding the mains, and it's absofreakinlutely awesome! With my active bass, I have the tone controls on my instrument. I have to figure out a compact system to make this worthwhile...
(Unfortunately, I can't always rely on the sound companies to provide a suitable monitor, or a separate mix.)
A lot of stage monitors aren't built to handle pushing bass. I have no doubt it works for some, but certainly not all.
Very true. I think the bass amp is more for you and your bandmates than FOH. Without some type of stage monitoring you and your BM's are going to hear the woof-woof of the subs and not much more.
True. The house PA system is for that. The monitor is just so you can hear yourself and your other band mates, not for moving your shirt.
In a well setup monitoring system, everyone can hear what they need to hear.
"Rusty Box as a DI Box:
The Main Out jack on the Rusty Box outputs a balanced signal capable of driving a 600Ω load. As in the effects pedal configuration, connect your instrument or the output of the previous device to the Input jack on the Rusty Box using a standard ¼-inch guitar cable. For the Main Out jack, plug in a balanced ¼-inch TRS cable; this type of cable is necessary to properly use the Rusty Box as a DI. The other end of the balanced cable can go directly to a mixing board or similar balanced audio devices. Optionally you can also use the Rusty Box’s Line Out jack to connect to a monitor amp near the musician (described below)."
You'll thank yourself for the tone sculpting abilities and the dirt that can be thrown in.
There are a few preamp boxes with DI around now but the Rusty Box is a popular one.
The Main Out jack on the Rusty Box outputs a balanced signal capable of driving a 600Ω load. As in the effects pedal configuration, connect your instrument or the output of the previous device to the Input jack on the Rusty Box using a standard ¼-inch guitar cable. For the Main Out jack, plug in a balanced ¼-inch TRS cable; this type of cable is necessary to properly use the Rusty Box as a DI. The other end of the balanced cable can go directly to a mixing board or similar balanced audio devices. Optionally you can also use the Rusty Box’s Line Out jack to connect to a monitor amp near the musician (described below)."
You'll thank yourself for the tone sculpting abilities and the dirt that can be thrown in.
There are a few preamp boxes with DI around now but the Rusty Box is a popular one.
Since someone raised the bar and mentioned the REDDI.... If you want a really high end DI that is a preamp, offers tone control and does headphone out, the Avalon U5 is pretty cool:
Invalid Link Removed
The one featured here is the black 15th anniversary model... the standard model is silver. They are built like tanks but with a conversion kit they can be made to fit in a rack case.
These are usually found in studios but it's not uncommon to see some pros using them live. However, the cons in regard to live use are:
-expensive
-bulky
-requires ac power and does not have an on/off switch.
-have to pull the plug to actually turn it off
Hope that helps,
Mark
Invalid Link Removed
The one featured here is the black 15th anniversary model... the standard model is silver. They are built like tanks but with a conversion kit they can be made to fit in a rack case.
These are usually found in studios but it's not uncommon to see some pros using them live. However, the cons in regard to live use are:
-expensive
-bulky
-requires ac power and does not have an on/off switch.
-have to pull the plug to actually turn it off
Hope that helps,
Mark
I'd rather have expensive, bulky, and extremely great than inexpensive, small, and tinny. That's why I have hated pretty much every other DI I've ever used, and why I use a REDDI now.
Thanks guys! I have admit to being extremely confused so I'm gonna read through this thread a few times and let it all sink in
I've been searching for a DI solution. I have been playing for my church where there are no stage monitors or amps. We all use in ear monitors. The sound of my bass through the DI sounded weak, and thin. It was just bad. I don't know what kind of DI I was plugged into, but it's wasn't anything I'd ever heard of.
My question is this....I have three basses. My Lakland 55-02 that I play active 100% of the time. The Lakland has no passive tone controls and the output is weak when passive, so I never turn off the preamp. My Fender Am. Dlx Jazz is active, but also sounds FANTASTIC passive. I find myself turning off the pre on some songs to get a more traditional Jazz tone with less top end sparkle. The I have my trusty P bass. Of course, all passive...all the time.
I need a one stop solution DI. I know passive DI's may have some detrimental effects on passive basses, and an active DI could have some negatives with active instruments.
I found a Countryman 85 on eBay for cheap and snapped it up. I like that it will run off phantom power or a battery. I'm hoping there is no issues with my active basses.
From what I've read (and I've read a LOT of stuff about DI's), the Radial JDI seems to be a good fit for active instruments.
I'm looking for a BASIC, no frills, transparent, DI. I'm not a big EQ or effects lover. From what I've been reading, it seems like some folks buy both an active and a passive DI, which sucks if I want to play my J on a gig and switch between active and passive modes.
Can anyone recommend an affordable DI that plays nice with both active and passive basses?
My question is this....I have three basses. My Lakland 55-02 that I play active 100% of the time. The Lakland has no passive tone controls and the output is weak when passive, so I never turn off the preamp. My Fender Am. Dlx Jazz is active, but also sounds FANTASTIC passive. I find myself turning off the pre on some songs to get a more traditional Jazz tone with less top end sparkle. The I have my trusty P bass. Of course, all passive...all the time.
I need a one stop solution DI. I know passive DI's may have some detrimental effects on passive basses, and an active DI could have some negatives with active instruments.
I found a Countryman 85 on eBay for cheap and snapped it up. I like that it will run off phantom power or a battery. I'm hoping there is no issues with my active basses.
From what I've read (and I've read a LOT of stuff about DI's), the Radial JDI seems to be a good fit for active instruments.
I'm looking for a BASIC, no frills, transparent, DI. I'm not a big EQ or effects lover. From what I've been reading, it seems like some folks buy both an active and a passive DI, which sucks if I want to play my J on a gig and switch between active and passive modes.
Can anyone recommend an affordable DI that plays nice with both active and passive basses?
This whole business about matching active with passive DI and matching passive to active DI is bunk. A good sounding DI is a good sounding DI. That would be the absolute last thing I worried about.
Caeman, I suppose you are right... a DI in it's purest form shouldn't need an on/off switch. However, a high end preamp and DI that uses AC power, in my opinion should have an on off switch.
Always found it strange that a high priced piece of outboard gear like the Avalon U5 doesn't include a switch. Maybe in a live setting it's not an issue but using it in the studio there are many situations where a switch would be convenient.
Maybe you have it racked up but getting to the power chord to unplug it is a pain?
-Mark
bongomania
Commercial User
JimmyM said:
Jimmy, the fact is that there are times when active versus passive is the reason WHY a particular DI sounds good (or not) to somebody. With all your hyperbole about the REDDI and transformers etc., surely you can see that topology can affect sound.
bongomania
Commercial User
mistermark311 said:
Actually, most high-end rack gear doesn't include a power switch, because it is assumed that studios will have everything plugged into a master power strip with a wall switch. It's only us hobby-level guys that switch units on/off individually.
Not sure this is always the case Bongomania. Here are just a few of the very popular high end studio compressors and preamp/DI's that all have on/off switches:
Universal Audio LA2A Opto Compressor:
Teletronix® LA-2A CLassic Leveling Amplifier | Universal Audio
Universal Audio 610 Preamp:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Gates Sta-Level Opto Compressor:
Retro Instruments | Sta-Level
Empirical Labs Distressor Compressor:
Invalid Link Removed
Not quite a 'rack piece of gear' but in a similar class as the Avalon U5, the already mentioned REDDI Tube DI:
http://adesignsaudio.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/reddi_back.jpg
Finally, Avalon's own 737sp Preamp:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
And in such times of high energy costs, you can bet any pro studio out there with a healthy collection of outboard gear is going to want on/off switches on their individual units as it's a waste to have them all on when only a few might be needed.
-Mark
Which brings me to my delima. I would like to find a transparent DI that doesn't change the tone of my bass that will work equally well with active and passive basses.
From what I've read, the Countryman or the Radial J48 fit the bill as well as the Radial JDI.
I'll say it like this then. There are very few local clubs around here that will even put bass in the stage monitors, so unless you've got your amp as a monitor or a pair of IEM's you're SOL. For the clubs that will do it, as you say, it's just enough to hear yourself. But depending on the type of music (metal for example) it's not going to do much good.
I'm talking about your standard small time clubs/bars/etc. Not an arena.
