Need help picking a Studio DI

[AngryPig1]

Ah yes another point I should have cleared up, this is for my own home studio. I produce my own electronica using lots and lots of live recordings that are then chopped up and processed. I also play live sporadically in various covers bands, a grunge band and a dub outfit. I also record all of these hence the need for versatility. The Avalon U5 looks nice as it can be used for things beyond bass but maybe loses the broad spectrum of sounds you can get from some the more stompboxy style ones.

 

[sunbeast]

For versatility/simplicity/sound quality I think the Aguilar Tone Hammer is a great choice. Obviously there are much more high-end DIs out there, but the smart EQ and ability to add a bit of overdrive/cabinet emulation on the Aguilar make it a great tool- and the DI is quality to boot. I used the DI on my Aguilar DB750 a ton for recording and it sounded noticeably better than any if the other DIs we had access to IMO (Countryman, Radial, Darkglass, Palmer as a handful of vintage rackmount preamps).

 

[AngryPig1]

For versatility/simplicity/sound quality I think the Aguilar Tone Hammer is a great choice. Obviously there are much more high-end DIs out there, but the smart EQ and ability to add a bit of overdrive/cabinet emulation on the Aguilar make it a great tool- and the DI is quality to boot. I used the DI on my Aguilar DB750 a ton for recording and it sounded noticeably better than any if the other DIs we had access to IMO (Countryman, Radial, Darkglass, Palmer as a handful of vintage rackmount preamps).

Yeah i've not had a bad report about the Aggy yet, im taking one of my basses in to a tech on friday so will hopefully get to try out the Aggy / tech21/ sansamp stuff. Dont think they have REDDI and not the Avalon either sothey will be pursued if these dont cut the mustard

 

[KeithPoker]

+1 U5. foolproof, modern, clean, no one you work with will ever complain. it's my main DI.

 

[spector_boogie]

I like my Radial JDI but a Countryman is just as good if you want just a "box" DI.

Forget the preamp boxes. They don't sound as good and clean and you want the most unaffected signal as possible going to the board. I've A/B'd mine to a BDDI numerous times and it's not even close. Plenty of time to manipulate it later. I never record, but if I did, I would have the U5 no question. I've used it as a live preamp before and it's glorious.

 

[bluesdogblues]

I love Radial JDI too,..but for me, sound is the most important criteria, then I'd vote "Eclair Engineering" as the winner, and REDDI as the (very close) second winner. But as Eclair is not too easy to buy (not as easy as the other at least), then the REDDI is the available winner for me.
YMMV.

Here, download and listen for yourself,...done by Tony Levin years ago,..perhaps it can be a good comparison for you:

Ultimate DI Test High Resolution Audio 24 bit 96K Wav Files

I recommend you to get the best direct box you can, it's very important and worthy IMO

 

[Feral Feline]

Given the budget, I'd go Radial. Increase the budget a bit and I'd go Radial. Get a windfall, I'd go Radial (Firefly).