Is REDDI still the industry standard?

[bass12]

Baked in, not baked in - whatever. I believe part of the point of tube D.I.s is to not offer transparency. If you want transparency, go with something like a Radial JDI. if you want something that will impart a tubey quality to your sound then look at the various tube D.I. options.

 

[mobdirt]

all this "bake" talk is making me hungry for some cake

 

[JimmyM]

why would anyone want a DI with a 'baked in' sound? IME: the best DI's are "transparent" or close to it. YMMV.

Suit yourself, but I can't imagine anything worse than to use a "transparent" DI. Does nothing for me whatsoever. However, while I haven't measured one on a scope, other than that tube-amp type of thing it does, I don't hear much difference in frequency response between it and any of my transparent DI's. Sounds pretty flat overall to me.

 

[JimmyM]

I like to use two DI's...the REDDI and the transformer balanced out on my Ampeg PF-50T. I will also use my VT Deluxe occasionally when I have a gig where all I need is a little dirt or if it's a fly gig (had an accident with my REDDI once and thought I had broken it till I discovered that the tube just got dislodged a little). But the REDDI is still king as far as I'm concerned, with all due respect to the other DI makers.

 

[mobdirt]

Suit yourself, but I can't imagine anything worse than to use a "transparent" DI. Does nothing for me whatsoever. However, while I haven't measured one on a scope, other than that tube-amp type of thing it does, I don't hear much difference in frequency response between it and any of my transparent DI's. Sounds pretty flat overall to me.

Sometimes its good to just get things to a balanced out especially if using a lot of effects before in the signal chain..
even transparent gear has its applications

 

[jacksonev94]

I have a REDDI that I record and play live with, and have gotten nothing but rave feedback from band members and engineers.

I also just got my P15 this past weekend, and I personally prefer it. Don’t really think you can go wrong with either.

 

[Biggbass]

Two Thumbs up for the Reddi from me. I use it both in studio and on stage and it always sounds great. Nice and fat, warm and punchy. I tracked bass with it on our last album and rarely ended up adding anything to the bass track. The last gig I used the Reddi at got big compliments from the sound guy on the sound of the bass. I had an amp on stage for personal monitoring and thump , used the thru put on the Reddi to the amp and the DI to the FOH.
I have several DI options in my studio...Reddi, Radial, Countryman, Sadowsky, and pre's with DI's-1073, Pacifica, Ventura, and the Reddi is very close to using a Neve circuited DI to my ears.

 

[SactoBass]

Hey everyone,

I need a new DI box. I'm leaning towards the REDDI, 'cause it seems like this is what most people are using lately. I've used it in the past in studios and I've liked the sound of it. Any naysayers? Are there better options out there?

I'm definitely open to opinions.

Thank you!

Bass'd: another fine option for your consideration is the Sonic Farm 2DI4 tube DI box. It gets rave reviews, and some say it's as close to playing through a Neve console without actually playing through a real Neve console. Plus, it has the nice feature of a DI out and a line out (both effected), so you can run the DI out to the PA board or recording console, and you can run the line out to your power amp in jack on your amp for live performance.

Below is a link for info. (For the record, I have no affiliation with Sonic Farm.) By the way, the CAD price looks high, but it converts to US dollars which is a lower number.

Sonic Farm Pro Audio | Creamer Pentode Preamp | 2di4 Pentode Direct Box | 2DI4 Pentode Direct Box

 

[XrisThaBassman]

Anyone else have some love for the ART Tube MP? I've used that as a DI before... comes with a 12AX7A tube, I feel like it fattens my sound a bit while still letting my tone through. Kind of the best of both worlds, and they can be had cheap - $50 or less used, $100 or less new. ART Pro Audio

 

[climber]

I own a ZOD, a RNDI and a Countryman in my studio. All are good, but the ZOD is exceptional.

Zod Audio

 

[micguy]

I play through a REDDI at about 2/3rds of my gigs, and I don't own one - they're at some of the the venues I play at. I'm often asked if I want to play through it or not; so far I haven't declined the opportunity. They're not transparent, but what they do works for me.

 

[JimmyM]

I own a ZOD, a RNDI and a Countryman in my studio. All are good, but the ZOD is exceptional.

Zod Audio

Isn't the Zod a REDDI clone built by some dude on the Gear Page or Gearslutz or one of those pages?

 

[JKos]

Anyone else have some love for the ART Tube MP? ... they can be had cheap - $50 or less used, $100 or less new. ART Pro Audio

More like $40 brand new. https://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/art-tube-mp-studio-mic-preamp/

- John

 

[TonyP-]

the term "transparent" is used by pros who are looking for the least baked in sound. i thought that concept was inferred by my post.

The sound could be what you are after.
It is with me.

 

[Mili]

There is lots of them and i recently checked a comparison which was very helpful. I really impressed by Imp2. Solo test is way different from in the mix so i suggest listen to sound samples.
The Great Direct Box Comparison with Audio Samples

 

[TonyP-]

Just to add my $.02 and I'm sure Kirk could pipe in on this.
So of these statements above I don't necessarily agree with %100 (sorry not stirring the pot).

Yes the REDDI is based after Ampeg design...However I think it sounds nothing like a miked Ampeg.
It has a much tighter and cleaner response then a miked a Ampeg (its still going so respond like a DI). If it sounded like a Ampeg I would not use it.

What it does have based after that circuitry is a THICKNESS.

In my optimum standard recording (if I'm recording my own material) I use 3 DIs

1) For a re-amping 2) The REDDI (My main line) 3) Another in post as a safety line so to speak.

If you do this you will see VISUALLY what the REDDI does in Protools (or your recording software of choice) . You can see
what the signal actually looks like and it will look like a bulldozer compared to everything other DI. Its the richest sounding DI I have ever heard and this is coming from a a guy who likes getting miked.

Yes there are some other really good DIs out there and I could use whatever I want.
I use the REDDI

 

[sok monkee]

REDDI every session, I use IEM's and it just sounds so good in my ears live!

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Hey everyone,

I need a new DI box. I'm leaning towards the REDDI, 'cause it seems like this is what most people are using lately. I've used it in the past in studios and I've liked the sound of it. Any naysayers? Are there better options out there?

I'm definitely open to opinions.

Thank you!

Depends on your budget, lots of options out there. Good hunting!

 

[JimmyM]

Just to add my $.02 and I'm sure Kirk could pipe in on this.
So of these statements above I don't necessarily agree with %100 (sorry not stirring the pot).

Yes the REDDI is based after Ampeg design...However I think it sounds nothing like a miked Ampeg.
It has a much tighter and cleaner response then a miked a Ampeg (its still going so respond like a DI). If it sounded like a Ampeg I would not use it.

What it does have based after that circuitry is a THICKNESS.

In my optimum standard recording (if I'm recording my own material) I use 3 DIs

1) For a re-amping 2) The REDDI (My main line) 3) Another in post as a safety line so to speak.

If you do this you will see VISUALLY what the REDDI does in Protools (or your recording software of choice) . You can see
what the signal actually looks like and it will look like a bulldozer compared to everything other DI. Its the richest sounding DI I have ever heard and this is coming from a a guy who likes getting miked.

Yes there are some other really good DIs out there and I could use whatever I want.
I use the REDDI

Hey Tony...so about that Ampeg thing...

You are correct that the REDDI doesn't sound like a mic'ed Ampeg. You are also correct about the thickness, and how it appeals to more than just Ampeg fans. But what it DOES sound like is an Ampeg tube amp with a speaker level DI. With knobs at noon and all ultra switches off, it really sounds most like the V4B because V4B's are flat response with knobs at noon. But I can dial in matching tones with all my Ampeg tube amps, and with a little cut of bass and a little boost of treble, it sounds a lot like a B-15. And you don't even have to tweak the B-15's tone knobs when you use these Russian 6N1P's from the 60's that I have here. With them it's darn close to the B-15. I used to have a bunch of comparison clips, but through the miracle of computer crashes they're all gone.

Hope that doesn't scare the Ampeg haters It's a fantastic DI whether you like Ampeg or not.

Looking forward to hearing Sweetwater's comparo, which I'll do later tonight. Imp 2 came off well, eh? I know the Whirlwind Director did in Tony Levin's DI comparo a few years back, but in my usage of the Imp 2 (I have two here), I always thought that the best use for an Imp 2 is to prop up monitors that don't have enough angle

 

[rafitoprtx]

Anyone else have some love for the ART Tube MP? I've used that as a DI before... comes with a 12AX7A tube, I feel like it fattens my sound a bit while still letting my tone through. Kind of the best of both worlds, and they can be had cheap - $50 or less used, $100 or less new. ART Pro Audio

I have one with a EHX tube in it. I use it to drive my powered speaker FOH and to record. For $50 it gets the job done.