LIVE DI: Aguilar DB900 v. Avalon U5

[TheDialog]

Anyone ever work with either?

 

[Eric Moesle]

Nobody . . . ever . . .


Seriously, they're both fine for live use, although the U5 is overkill for live use, best left to studio. You can certainly use it live, though it lacks the EQ you might need to tweak for the room's acoustics.

 

[TimmyP]

IME their preamps are noisy and their amps clip very nastily. I have no confidence that the DI would be any more desirable.

 

[JimmyM]

only used the u5. not my thing...a little too slick and polite for my tastes.

 

[BR Audio]

Have used the U5 and not the aguilar.
To be quite honest, I enjoyed the sound of the Radial DIs a lot more. Even the J48 sounded better to me. But if you have the money, for for the JDV. Don't think you can go wrong.

take care
Gil

 

[scotch]

Yup. I've used both. Many, many times. I own the Aguilar & the U5 is pretty ubiquitous in studios these days.

Honestly, I think both units are better suited to studio use. I did cart around my DB900 for years as my main live DI (as well as studio DI). I've also occasionally used a borrowed/shared backline U5 live. There are issues for live use, however, imo:

DB900 Simple, straightforward & sounds incredible! But, It is microphone level out on the xlr- so... I did occasionally find FOH engineers asking for 'more level' when they were working on a sub-standard console (smaller clubs mostly). Since it's mic-level only, I couldn't help them out.

U5 Great sounding solid state preamp + di, so you can bump up your signal to line level if needed. However, it's far too big to be toured with practically. I also find the tone honest, but generic. (don't flame me, Avalon Fan Boys!!!! - just a personal preference...)

If you're travelling with a rack, or larger setup- you can pull it off. But I still prefer a more compact DI for live use.

 

[TimmyP]

A provider friend has worked a few times with a bassist who uses a Groove Tubes Brick. He says this guy has the best DI tone of anyone he's worked with, but of course the instrument and the hands are an important part of that.

 

[scotch]

A provider friend has worked a few times with a bassist who uses a Groove Tubes Brick. He says this guy has the best DI tone of anyone he's worked with, but of course the instrument and the hands are an important part of that.

...inside secret... I like to run my DB900 into the mic input on my GT Brick! Magic tone, man... magic tone! I've gone through a LOT of other gear (from LA-610, to Neve Clones, to Avalon, etc...) and I finally found the recipe that works best for me!

Of course I just finished tracking an album on a vintage NEVE 8048 console.. all analog, baby! We used my DB-900 into a channel on the console w/ one of the built-in Neve comps. Wows!

 

[TheDialog]

I have been trying to keep things simple on stage... I just built a pedal board to fit exactly what I run live (simple set up: Korg Pitchblack/Maxon OD-808/EHX Bass Big Muff). The board and Avalon fit perfectly into a small road case that I bought to protect both pieces. There is a small foam piece that goes across the top and I lay my cables on top and I'm good to go.

I would like to try the Aguilar live and see what comes out different. I run a pretty standard rig live: SVT AV Classic/810 with a '71 Fender P. I'm sure either DI will do the trick?

Thanks for all the discussion. Keep it going

 

[JimmyM]

if i had an svt (oh yeah...i do ) and wanted to di it, i'd take that avalon and run it as a speaker di. not only do you get the avalon's thing, but you'd also get the sound of your svt's tubes and output transformer in there, which would then make it sound a lot like a reddi.

 

[phrygianpastor]

...inside secret... I like to run my DB900 into the mic input on my GT Brick! Magic tone, man... magic tone! I've gone through a LOT of other gear (from LA-610, to Neve Clones, to Avalon, etc...) and I finally found the recipe that works best for me!

Of course I just finished tracking an album on a vintage NEVE 8048 console.. all analog, baby! We used my DB-900 into a channel on the console w/ one of the built-in Neve comps. Wows!

wow. i have both but have never tried that. interesting...almost scared to...i usually prefer the aggie on my bass cause i get what i'm putting in...i use the brick for everything else: acoustic guitar, etc...

 

[scotch]

wow. i have both but have never tried that. interesting...almost scared to...i usually prefer the aggie on my bass cause i get what i'm putting in...i use the brick for everything else: acoustic guitar, etc...

To my ears, The Brick is the more 'neutral' sounding of the two components. I bought it after using one on a session & loved that it simply delivered my tone to tape without becoming more saturated as the gain was turned up. The Brick does impart some slight warmth, perhaps. But overall, I'd say it's rather uncolored for a tube DI!

The funny thing is I find the DB900 more colored! It even colors the sound coming out of the 1/4" parallel jack (I corresponded with Aguilar directly to confirm this...). It's not a severe tonal alteration, like with a SansAmp, but more of an addition of depth and a slight eq curve. It still sounds like my instrument, but deeper and more 'sweet'. You'd have to pry my DB900 out of my cold, deaed hands before I'd give it up!

I should also note that for the 'tone shaping' portion of my recording chain- I rely on a passive Varitone Box and my EBS ValveDrive pedal/pre....

 

[faulknersj]

I am intrigued by this thread. I am a full time player and make my living playing Old Shcool Funk, Soul, R&B, and even Hip Hop in small to medium sized venues. My rig is light and portable - Mark Bass LMK - Genz Benz Neox-212T. I am looking for a killer DI box because the xlr out of the back of my LMK is POST Eq. I would like to send the house a nice "flat" Signal. I have heard complaints that the DB900's output is minimal. What would you recommend?

 

[Virgil]

Reddi DI. Gerald Veasley's uses one live and in the studio. His sound engineer said that it is worth every penny.

 

[JimmyM]

I am intrigued by this thread. I am a full time player and make my living playing Old Shcool Funk, Soul, R&B, and even Hip Hop in small to medium sized venues. My rig is light and portable - Mark Bass LMK - Genz Benz Neox-212T. I am looking for a killer DI box because the xlr out of the back of my LMK is POST Eq. I would like to send the house a nice "flat" Signal. I have heard complaints that the DB900's output is minimal. What would you recommend?

there is a jumper inside the lmk to switch it to pre, and it sounds better that way imho. it's not too hard to find...look for a jumper on one of two legs labeled "pre" and "post" and hook the jumper up to the pre leg. it's not my favorite di in the world because i think it lacks balls, but it's clean and noise free.