New, smaller-format DI from Rupert Neve Designs

[macribas]

We like to spend money.

Also a few other things…
- I like to keep modulation and verb post drive. So I need a separate end of chain DI anyway.
- We record live a lot. So a decent DI from my live rig is warranted
- The Neve is smoother than the TH and easier on the ears. It makes a noticeable difference when listening to bass on IEMS for hours and hours a week.

Thanks. Fair enough. So the DI from the TH isn't decent? I don't have experience with it, just asking.

I don't record live much, but the last two times I did, my signal went from my DI (first time it was a Genzler Magellan Pre, the second it was an HX Stomp) to a Neve pre, so that kind of took care of it, I guess?

 

[Evan J]

Thanks. Fair enough. So the DI from the TH isn't decent? I don't have experience with it, just asking.

I don't record live much, but the last two times I did, my signal went from my DI (first time it was a Genzler Magellan Pre, the second it was an HX Stomp) to a Neve pre, so that kind of took care of it, I guess?

The TH DI is totally passable. It may be a little hot which can annoy FOH a bit. But its a workhorse that is very widely used. The Neve just does a thing that a lot of basic DI’s don’t. It’s richer and creamier, and it rounds out the highs in a pleasant but clear way.

This stuff is super subjective obviously. For me DI’s are just as much about playing experience as they are about the final signal. Playing into the Neve DI is just smoother and more pleasant to my ears. No more quacky top end that can be so common in IEM mixes.

But for your rig, since it sounds like you already have a quality signal chain, you probably wouldn’t need something like a Neve DI. Only if you or your engineer is unsatisfied with your DI should you even consider upgrading. DI’s can be very “emperor’s new clothes” if you’re not careful.

 

[AObando2002]

The TH DI is totally passable. It may be a little hot which can annoy FOH a bit. But its a workhorse that is very widely used. The Neve just does a thing that a lot of basic DI’s don’t. It’s richer and creamier, and it rounds out the highs in a pleasant but clear way.

This stuff is super subjective obviously. For me DI’s are just as much about playing experience as they are about the final signal. Playing into the Neve DI is just smoother and more pleasant to my ears. No more quacky top end that can be so common in IEM mixes.

But for your rig, since it sounds like you already have a quality signal chain, you probably wouldn’t need something like a Neve DI. Only if you or your engineer is unsatisfied with your DI should you even consider upgrading. DI’s can be very “emperor’s new clothes” if you’re not careful.

I don't use a TH, but I use a Darkglass Infinity and I go direct from its DI out to FOH and record. Think it's worth the investment in my case? I use multiple pedals before the Darkglass.

I use both active and passive Dingwalls.

Thanks!

 

[Evan J]

I don't use a TH, but I use a Darkglass Infinity and I go direct from its DI out to FOH and record. Think it's worth the investment in my case? I use multiple pedals before the Darkglass.

I use both active and passive Dingwalls.

View attachment 7260772

Thanks!

Yeah I’d definitely give it a try. You’ve invested a lot in this rig. Might as well get the best final signal you can

 

[AObando2002]

Yeah I’d definitely give it a try. You’ve invested a lot in this rig. Might as well get the best final signal you can

Yeah you're right.

Thanks!

 

[chiphaleonbass]

What are you guys using to put the RNDI-m on your boards? With the feet velcro doesn't necessarily keep the DI in place on my Mono board

 

[Evan J]

What are you guys using to put the RNDI-m on your boards? With the feet velcro doesn't necessarily keep the DI in place on my Mono board

I removed the feet on mine. They pop out easy enough

 

[chiphaleonbass]

I removed the feet on mine. They pop out easy enough

Didn't realize they came off! Thanks for the tip

 

[Obese Chess]

Bit of an old bump here but figured it was worth asking rather than starting a new thread, planning to buy this for myself as a Christmas gift. It appears that the big difference between the RNDI and the RNDI-M is the presence of the Line/Speaker Switch. Under what circumstances would someone use the "speaker" switch? This just means I couldn't run from my amplifier's speaker output into the DI and then into the board, right?

This would likely just live on my desk and get my basses plugged into it for home recording, if I'm playing a gig I'm running direct out of the back of my amp (or with a passive DI) and if I'm recording at a studio they've already got gear. I can't think of a time I've ever wanted or needed to run an amp into the board, live or in the studio, and needed to do that. I don't know. Maybe the sound guys have been solving that problem for me this whole time without me knowing.

 

[Evan J]

Bit of an old bump here but figured it was worth asking rather than starting a new thread, planning to buy this for myself as a Christmas gift. It appears that the big difference between the RNDI and the RNDI-M is the presence of the Line/Speaker Switch. Under what circumstances would someone use the "speaker" switch? This just means I couldn't run from my amplifier's speaker output into the DI and then into the board, right?

This would likely just live on my desk and get my basses plugged into it for home recording, if I'm playing a gig I'm running direct out of the back of my amp (or with a passive DI) and if I'm recording at a studio they've already got gear. I can't think of a time I've ever wanted or needed to run an amp into the board, live or in the studio, and needed to do that. I don't know. Maybe the sound guys have been solving that problem for me this whole time without me knowing.

Yeah for your use case… unless you are re-amping something. I don’t think you’ll need the speaker option.

I am actually in the market to sell mine in exchange for the new Strymon DI. So feel free to DM me if you’re interested.

I have loved mine, but I need a headphone app and can’t afford to keep both. I will miss the feel of the Neve though.

 

[markorbit]

Bit of an old bump here but figured it was worth asking rather than starting a new thread, planning to buy this for myself as a Christmas gift. It appears that the big difference between the RNDI and the RNDI-M is the presence of the Line/Speaker Switch. Under what circumstances would someone use the "speaker" switch?

They would use this mode if they wanted to use the tone of the signal post-power amp.

As a normal DI (used directly with a bass or after preamps and pedals) it is not needed. I own the original slightly bigger RNDI and have never needed the speaker mode. I would be very happy with the smaller one.

The RNDI is still quite difficult to shift from my little board. I tend to prefer it after a lot of comparisons. It's been totally reliable after 300 gigs.

 

[edwinhurwitz]

Yeah for your use case… unless you are re-amping something. I don’t think you’ll need the speaker option.

I am actually in the market to sell mine in exchange for the new Strymon DI. So feel free to DM me if you’re interested.

I have loved mine, but I need a headphone app and can’t afford to keep both. I will miss the feel of the Neve though.

Might I suggest the Grace Design M303? IMHO, you won't miss the Neve. It's about the same price as the Strymon.

 

[Obese Chess]

Thanks for the assists @Evan J and @markorbit - even if I did want to get the sound of my amp in such a fashion, all of my amps have direct/line outs designed to go directly into the board and I have used them to do exactly this without issue. Sounds like there's no reason for me to spend the extra $200+ for the RNDI over the RNDI-M.

 

[markorbit]

Thanks for the assists @Evan J and @markorbit - even if I did want to get the sound of my amp in such a fashion, all of my amps have direct/line outs designed to go directly into the board and I have used them to do exactly this without issue. Sounds like there's no reason for me to spend the extra $200+ for the RNDI over the RNDI-M.

The speaker mode is more useful with a tube power amp. Most DI's from amps output before the power stage so they would miss what the power tubes add. I don't think there would be that much benefit from non-tube amps.

The RNDI-M does just what you expect a DI box to do and no more.

 

[Obese Chess]

I have never used a tube power amp in my life. I do not know how tubes work and they frighten me. Thanks for the assist, everyone.

 

[S-Bigbottom]

I have never used a tube power amp in my life. I do not know how tubes work and they frighten me. Thanks for the assist, everyone.

Then you will not want to dabble into the magical tube DI world.

If you are feeling brave, let me know and I can drop off a Sushibox for you to play with for an hour or so.

 

[Obese Chess]

Then you will not want to dabble into the magical tube DI world.

If you are feeling brave, let me know and I can drop off a Sushibox for you to play with for an hour or so.

Is that the Finally or something else? I'd looked at putting a Finally at the end of my board for a while, but almost all of my tone shaping comes from my amp now so there wouldn't have been much point.

 

[S-Bigbottom]

Is that the Finally or something else? I'd looked at putting a Finally at the end of my board for a while, but almost all of my tone shaping comes from my amp now so there wouldn't have been much point.

Yup, Finally.
The first version with the high gain 12AX7 tube.

It is around if you ever want to check it out.

 

[Obese Chess]

Yup, Finally.
The first version with the high gain 12AX7 tube.

It is around if you ever want to check it out.

I may take you up on that! Thank you!