Integrated DI vs External DI

[J-Fev]

I have a Sansamp BDDI, MXR M-81, and (soon) a Tech21 Q-Strip.

All three have integrated DIs. Does an external DI like a Radial JDI bring anything to the table?

 

[cheapbasslovin]

I have a Sansamp BDDI, MXR M-81, and (soon) a Tech21 Q-Strip.

All three have integrated DIs. Does an external DI like a Radial JDI bring anything to the table?

I like a separate passive di because it's generally more reliable for live use and it lets me choose my preamp from a much larger pool. Also, some DIs sound bad@$! without any toneshaping knobs.

If you love your integrated DIs there's nothing about a separate one that'll be inherently better.

 

[J-Fev]

I neither love nor hate my integrated DIs.

I went amp-less (mostly) in '90 and played through various passive DIs. Bass -> preamp -> DI. I never really thought about the brand or quality much. Around 20 years ago, I started using the BDDI. Again, never thought about the quality vs an external quality DI.

Lately though, I have been considering mounting a JDI under my pedal board. Or, gutting an older Rapco or Whirlwind DI and putting a Jensen or Cinemag transformer in it.

I am probably over obsessing about it. Frankly, with the state my hearing is in, I wonder if I could tell the difference. That's right kids - take care of your ears. Especially if you like to stank face with the drummer up close.

 

[Zbysek]

Does an external DI like a Radial JDI bring anything to the table?

It does. The transformer...and the safety of operation without any power source...

 

[bassbrad]

I like having the flexibility to mix and match pre amps , over drives, EQs and DIs for different tones.

 

[J-Fev]

I snagged a used Radial JDI for about $20 more than buying a quality transformer. No brainer at that price. I will put it in my gig box or mount it permanently under my pedal board.

 

[Zbysek]

I snagged a used Radial JDI for about $20 more than buying a quality transformer. No brainer at that price. I will put it in my gig box or mount it permanently under my pedal board.

Have you had a chance to use it? What do you think?

 

[Zooberwerx]

Have you had a chance to use it? What do you think?

In view of the OP's available peripherals, I was going to say the Radial is an unneeded redundancy. OTOH, it's never a bad idea to have a known quantity standard on-hand when faced with a foreign FOH or when things are going south (...bad).

Riis

 

[J-Fev]

Have you had a chance to use it? What do you think?

Haven't used it in anger yet (on a gig), but I did give it a test to make sure it was functional. It is definitely lower output then going from the XLR built into the MXR-81.

My day job is sucking up most of my time right now, so it will be a bit before I can give it a proper shakedown. In fact, my workbench is a disaster zone right now:

 

[Zbysek]

Haven't used it in anger yet (on a gig), but I did give it a test to make sure it was functional. It is definitely lower output then going from the XLR built into the MXR-81.

My day job is sucking up most of my time right now, so it will be a bit before I can give it a proper shakedown. In fact, my workbench is a disaster zone right now:

View attachment 4513798

OK, let us know what you think once you have a chance to try it...

Edit: JDI is a pasive DI so it's not a surprise its output is lower compared to active DI/preamp...