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newbie question about DI
- Thread starter Tombolino
- Start date
To get into the PA when...
- you don't have (or don't want to use) an amp DI out
- you don't have (or don't want to use) a cabinet mic
- your band is on in-ears and doesn't use any backline amps
- you want the qualities of a particular DI or DI/pre-amp
- the sound engineer wants as few variables as possible (for example, you're playing a multi-band show w/ quick changeover)
http://www.bestbassgear.com/ebass/g...s/why-is-di-so-important-to-bass-players.html
Whether you "need" a DI or not is dependent upon several factors. I think the link above can explain it way better than I can.
Are you playing rooms small enough that you aren't in the PA? If so, no; you don't need a DI.
Do you need to be in the PA, but your amp or combo *has* a DI output built in that works and sounds the way you want? Then, no; you don't need a DI.
Do you need to be in the PA, but you are always able to mic your cabinet to everyone's satisfaction? Then no; you don't need a DI.
Do you need to be in the PA—but you are unable to mic your cabinet, and your amp doesn't have a DI (or has one that doesn't work or sound the way that you want)? Yes, you'll want to use a DI. If you can't count on the venue's sound company to provide a decent DI, then you might consider carrying your own.
The DI signal will have more below 60Hz than your rig will. If you want a deep bottom on the low notes, a touch of DI'd bass in the PA can help. (Provided that the rig is not already too loud in the room somewhere between 60Hz and 90Hz, which is often the case.)
When you upgrade to a stack be sure to get a block diagram of the head. Most send the pre- signal to the FOH immediately after the input. Where the post - signal comes from can be anywhere! On the GK micro heads the post -signal is after all the EQ and other 'toys' to shape your sound, BUT it's before the master volume. That makes for a problem when you use two different levels of volume as the sound engineer gets hot and warm signals going back and forth. They usually do not like that. In that case you probably need to mic your cab where you will have the masters leveled out to be about the same volume.
s0c9
Supporting Member
As with the OP, it depends.
In my situation, I have an amp with a direct out. It's switchable pre or post EQ, with an adjustable send level. I've not had any complaints about feeding that to a venue provided FOH system now when I hook it into our own system (when we provide the PA). This covers most situations, so... while I carry a DI in my "bag" I've never had to use it for bass. To me, that is ideal.
If you can't afford an amp with a direct out, then going into a pre-amp (like the Sansamp for example) and connecting direct to the PA is one approach. You then need some way to monitor it. If you are IEM, add it to the mix. If not IEM, then you need it in a monitor wedge, or need to take the second out (or split the PA feed) into a powered FRFR (Full Range Flat Response) or normal cab.
Yes it does: that LMIII's balanced line out allows you to send (via XLR cable) signal to the mixing board. The amp's yellow line out knob controls the volume of that DI signal.
s0c9
Supporting Member
No.. other way around.. "Pre" is pre-EQ stage and post is post-EQ. If you want the "sound" you have coming out the speakers to be sent via the direct out, you need Post-EQ setting... otherwise you get the sound BEFORE the EQ - the default pre-amp tone.
There are benefits to both.
Pre - fixed output level. FOH has total control of tone. No change in level from gig to gig.
Post - output level varies based on EQ settings and if you change mid-song, affects levels going to PA. It's fixed once set, but if you adjust between gigs (or songs), you'll likely need to adjust the channel trims on the console accordingly.
Yes, although typical post-eq DI only sends the sound you have coming out of the preamp (that is, minus any power amp distortion and minus the usually significant voicing of your speaker cabinet). In other words, even the post--eq DI send usually sounds very different from what you'll hear from typically colored bass cabinets.
Or, put another way, pre-eq DI lets you eq the amp for your cabinet and the stage acoustics without those eq choices coloring the DI send to the PA. (It's very difficult to judge how to tweak the bass amp's eq for the PA when standing an arm's length in front of your stage rig.)
Go post-eq DI if the pre-amp imparts a lot of color crucial to your tone *and* if you've dialed in the amp's post-eq DI in a controlled listening environment to know exactly what you're sending to the PA.
Or, put another way, pre-eq DI lets you eq the amp for your cabinet and the stage acoustics without those eq choices coloring the DI send to the PA. (It's very difficult to judge how to tweak the bass amp's eq for the PA when standing an arm's length in front of your stage rig.)
Go post-eq DI if the pre-amp imparts a lot of color crucial to your tone *and* if you've dialed in the amp's post-eq DI in a controlled listening environment to know exactly what you're sending to the PA.
Well i have not gigged on bass yet with PA run by sound guy. I do sometimes tweak bass treb or mids on the markbass head between songs (country vs rock tone). So i guess i would set it post...? Are those tweaks a big deal to sound guy? (As long as not drastic?)
What about when using an fx unit.like Zoom B3. Post as well?
What about when using an fx unit.like Zoom B3. Post as well?
The best tweaking is your choice of finger plucking attack. Massive tonal spectrum is there for the grabbing without any knob.
A lot of sound guys will spit the dummy if they see you even touch your amp. With your Zoom you should make sure the output levels are comparable between patches, some would say identical. Small change in low end EQ can tip over the FOH mix.
A lot of sound guys will spit the dummy if they see you even touch your amp. With your Zoom you should make sure the output levels are comparable between patches, some would say identical. Small change in low end EQ can tip over the FOH mix.
