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Noob DI box question.

M

Mooch

Jan 1, 2009
523
2
MN
www.facebook.com
#1
Ok so my basic question is does any DI box work for bass or do I have to find a specific DI box for "bass". I know the tech 21 boxes are specific to bass and there are some others but dropping 150 bucks right now doesn't work.

There are a ton on sites on the net and I'm just curious if a "DI box" will work for any bass application.

Thanks for the help. :)

Mooch
 
#2
the tech 21 boxes are really bass preamps, most of which have DI built in.

a DI is a DI. it's just a matter of the better ones having wider bandwidth and better sound (for whatever you need) than cheaper ones.

there's also the issue of active vs. passive; if you have a passive bass and no pedals at all, an active DI might give you a stronger, clearer tone into the PA. trouble is, good ones cost more.

if there are batteries or AC cables involved in the signal chain before you get to the DI box, a passive box will likely be fine.

the whirlwind "imp" is probably the cheapest "legit" passive DI box out there.
 
#6
Hi.

There's differences between low frequency accuracy and distortion behaviour between different DI circuitry, but those aren't usually significant enough to bother in normal situations (and with normal tunings). Theis applies mainly to the transformer coupled DI's, not OP-amp based.

A passive DI won't make Your bass sound "passive".

Chances are that You won't hear any difference between the "budget" brands.

What is Your budget BTW?

Regards
Sam
 
#7
Can I tack on a question to this thread? Since this is a noob DI thread, I didn't feel I should start another...

I had planned on getting the Paradriver DI, which I would use as a preamp and DI, and bypass the preamp on my Firebass by going into my "Power amp in" (I already did this with an MXR M80).

Now, it looks like I'll be getting a sweet deal on the VT bass pedal, and I would then pick up an inexpensive DI. Would I then go bass---VT---DI---Power amp in? Or regular input? Or DI first?

What I'd like to accomplish is use the VT as my preamp, and send that signal through the DI into the PA, and also continue to bypass the preamp on the Firebass (or any other rig that I use).

Sorry, I thought I had this DI thing licked, but I confused myself. Sorry for the hijack and thanks!
 
#8
That's actually tricky, because the output of the VT needs to be near line level in order to drive the power amp, but it ideally should be lower than line level in order to not get complaints from the soundguy about your signal being too hot. A surprising number of soundguys don't know how to work the pad controls on their mixer; and a surprising number of older/cheaper mixers can clip from line-level signals into the mic pre's even with a pad engaged.

A passive DI would help, as they drop the level of your signal by about 12 dB just inherently from their design.

That way it would go:
bass --> VT --> DI
DI XLR --> PA
DI 1/4" --> power amp
 

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