Interface vs external D.I.

[verstft]

This is an honest question.
To this day, I still don't understand why I would want to use an external D.I. for recording when my Apollo twin and virtually every single interface already has one built-in.

I typically plug into a D.I. to split the signal so it goes to my interface and my amp.
But are there sonic reasons why I would want to use a D.I. over another?

I think I'm supposed to hear a difference between the hi-z on my apollo, my Tone Hammer D.I. and my countryman D.I. but they all sound the same to me. Maybe my ears are just not that sensitive to the subtle harmonic difference?

 

[bass12]

I suppose it depends on the D.I. and whether or not it is one that adds noticeable colour. Some do and some don’t.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

DI untits are made to convert your signal to a balanced Low impedance Mic level signal so that you can use the Mic channel on a mixing board w/ your bass. Also, they can eliminate noise when running long cables. It's true that most interfaces (and some mic preamps) come with inst level inputs, and you don't need one in that case. If you want to use a specific preamp that only has a mic input, then you should use one.

 

[silky smoove]

The hi-z input on your interface IS a DI. No need to add one in front of it, unless the external one provides a specific color you’re looking for on a recording.

 

[verstft]

The hi-z input on your interface IS a DI.

Right. It feels redundent. But I always see people highlighting the merits of fancy DI like the Reddi or those Jamerson inspired DIs. I literally can't hear the difference. Is this something that develops with music production experience? Am I "color" def?

 

[verstft]

If you want to use a specific preamp that only has a mic input, then you should use one.

Gotcha. Like if I was running through a nice pre-amp that only had mic inputs. I would connect bass > di > pre > Interface via mic input.

 

[silky smoove]

Right. It feels redundent. But I always see people highlighting the merits of fancy DI like the Reddi or those Jamerson inspired DIs. I literally can't hear the difference. Is this something that develops with music production experience? Am I "color" def?

Those DIs are more of a preamp than “just” a DI. Sure they do the impedance conversion task of a DI, but they provide a fair amount of color in terms of frequency response and in some cases harmonic saturation. You won’t get that from a JDI or 85. If you can’t hear the difference in a signal direct to the IO compared to a REDDI pushing into the tube a bit then I’d begin to wonder if you had some hearing loss issues.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

untits

 

[Geri O]

Right. It feels redundent. But I always see people highlighting the merits of fancy DI like the Reddi or those Jamerson inspired DIs. I literally can't hear the difference. Is this something that develops with music production experience? Am I "color" def?

Hard to say definitively if you'll ever hear the difference in plugging straight into an interface vs using something like a REDDI or not, but here's the good news....

You don't have to......

That's right. If your bass sounds good to you plugging straight in to the interface, so be it. And don't sweat it.

 

[silky smoove]

That's right. If your bass sounds good to you plugging straight in to the interface, so be it. And don't sweat it.

+100