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Double Bass Playing direct thru PA, do i need DI box?

DoghouseKyle

DoghouseKyle

Mar 1, 2019
88
27
#1
Apologies for a newb-ish question, but if i’ve got a transducer pickup & want to plug directly into PA, should i be using a DI box? Normally, i run thru a preamp (1/4” in/out) into my amp (& then into house if needed), but for small gigs, w no amp, whats the preferred setup? Bass > DI > PA?.. Bass > preamp > PA?.. Bass > PA? Again, i’ve only enough working knowledge re PA systems & electronics to be dangerous here... Thx for “feedback” :D
 
#4
Going from bass to preamp to PA should be workable if it's a relatively uncomplicated stage setup. The preamp will provide the impedance buffering that most piezo pickups need. If you try it this way and don't have any problems with hum or noise, you're good. The reasons for using a DI would be if you have super long cable runs or are working in a venue where there's a lot of electrical interference issues.

Edit: Another reason for DI is if you're recording the gig for posterity, because there's stuff that you might not hear in the venue, but that will be annoying as heck if you listen to your track in isolation. But that's a pretty unlikely situation.
 
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#6
Yes, hence the line of questioning..

I just dont really understand diff b/t when/why a DI is preferred over a preamp when going directly to an on-stage board/mixe, or vice-versa. Again, small stage scenarios, limited knowledge, no snakes, etc

Thx for y’all’s feedback..
 
#8
For a Piezo without buffering you need an active DI with a high input impedance. Passive DIs have a rather low input impedance and kill your sound. But if you have an FDeck HPFPreor any simple impedance buffer, you can put a passive DI following the buffer for FOH.

Mixer boards often have a lower input impedance than needed, so preamp/impedance buffer to board usually works if there's no grounding loop problem (in that case you need an DI with ground lift between preamp and mixer board input.
 
#9
A pre-amp is mandatory (my opinion) with a piezo pickup, and a DI box is optional. If your pre-amp only has a 1/4" output and your board only has balanced inputs, or you have a long cable run, you may need a DI. Some pre-amps have a balanced out in which case no DI is needed.
 
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#10
Thx for feedback. I have the old Fishman piezo clip-on, & an LR Baggs preamp (1/4” out). So i can go from preamp > DI > mixer if ground hum? Shouldve been in my orig question as one of the options i listed.. i see no strong objections here otherwise, re going from preamp > mixer, so that sorta answers my question. Thx, any further feedback welcome, if its kept fairly non-technical...
 
#11
DoghouseKyle said:
Thx for feedback. I have the old Fishman piezo clip-on, & an LR Baggs preamp. So i can go from preamp > DI > mixer if ground hum? Shouldve been in my orig question as one of the options i listed.. i see no strong objections here otherwise, re going from preamp > mixer, so that sorta answers my question. Thx, any further feedback welcome, if its kept fairly non-technical...
Click to expand...
Should work great!
 
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#12
I'll expand on my earlier post. Most of the available preamps now have a DI built in. If yours does not, then I would also recommend something like a countryman to connect between the line out on your pre and the soundboard. There are many good options out there for DI boxes.

However I would not recommend using a DI box like the countryman as just a buffer between your pickup and the soundboard. While a countryman does a nice job buffering for piezos, without a preamp before it - you will still be sending a mid-honking garbage tone to the sound board. The reality for us weekend warriors is that 9 out of 10 sound guys don't have any clue on what to do with a dry piezo feed, and are even less knowledgeable on how to EQ an upright bass. Always give them a post EQ/wet signal that is closer to what you already expect to hear. Otherwise your tone is at the mercy of the guy turning knobs at the board, who probably doesn't understand what frequencies are really causing the issues.
 
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#13
There is ohne more thing even when using an active DI directly behind a passive piezo.
Even if the input impedance is 1 MegOhms at the DI if you connect to an amp (or any other device) from the DI too the impedance are connected in parallel which mans the impedance value drops. In case of the same impedance on both it is half the impedance of a single device.

My cheap active DI (clone of a more popular one costing three or four times as much) has 1 MegOhms. I was planning to replace the resistor by a 10 MegOhm one, but since I haven't needed it yet (for years), that might take some more time. If you want something reliable better get the Countryman recommended by others. (Not that I had any issues, but if you depend on it ...)
 
#15
If you have a mini-amp with a DI out you might use that either instead of the preamp or behind the preamp. A bit larger and heavier than a DI-box, but if you already own one ...

I could use my Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0 for that. Easily separated from the combo cab by unplugging the cab and removing two screws.
 

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