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Radial JDI vs. Markbass Super Pro DI
- Thread starter klcordero
- Start date
Is the Markbass DI even out yet? Radial makes a great product and you can't go wrong with it. Have not heard the Markbass DI yet, but if it sounds like the one in my LMII, get the Radial.
bongomania
Commercial User
Interesting.
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I wish they had put the In and Thru jacks on the back instead of the left side--that way the DI would snug up right next to another Markbass pedal and look really sharp and custom.
Invalid Link Removed
I wish they had put the In and Thru jacks on the back instead of the left side--that way the DI would snug up right next to another Markbass pedal and look really sharp and custom.
bongomania
Commercial User
it says right on the site that the JDI is a "passive direct box".
that means you have to play a passive bass through it
it says right on the site that the JDI is a "passive direct box".
that means you have to play a passive bass through it
umm... no... that means it's a passive DI, as opposed to Active. Active DI's require phantom power or an on board battery. Passive DI's do not. Has nothing to do with what you plug into them.
Greg, Walter was making a joke...don't worry, Walt...I got it
Anyway, I've never really understood this business about passive DI's with active basses only/active DI's with passive basses only. People have tried to explain it to me, and I just sit there like this:
Mainly because it doesn't matter. Good sound is good sound no matter where or how you get it.
it says right on the site that the JDI is a "passive direct box".
that means you have to play a passive bass through it
nothing like the internet to make a stupid joke come across as actual stupidity
thanks!Greg, Walter was making a joke...don't worry, Walt...I got it
Anyway, I've never really understood this business about passive DI's with active basses only/active DI's with passive basses only. People have tried to explain it to me, and I just sit there like this:
Mainly because it doesn't matter. Good sound is good sound no matter where or how you get it.
i wouldn't say "only" of course, but an active bass wouldn't need an active box, while a passive box might still have a little loss if fed with a passive pickup signal (the box's transformer might load down the pickup, making the bass sound duller than it otherwise would be).
of course, one buffered pedal in line with the bass (like, say a boss TU-2 tuner), and the signal is "active" anyway.
bongomania
Commercial User
Correct, plus most (all?) passive DI boxes have a significant drop in signal level across their transformer, so if you have a passive bass with relatively low output, it will be way too low when using a passive DI.
Greg, Walter was making a joke...don't worry, Walt...I got it
Anyway, I've never really understood this business about passive DI's with active basses only/active DI's with passive basses only. People have tried to explain it to me, and I just sit there like this:
Mainly because it doesn't matter. Good sound is good sound no matter where or how you get it.
Looks to me like the biggest difference between the two is about $120! 
The construction does appear to be somewhat beefier with the Radial. And FWIW Radial uses a Jensen transformer. Markbass uses "the world's finest", whatever that means (apparently not Jensen).
I'll be curious to see some user reports, especially with a direct comparison. If the Markbass holds up sonically, that price point ($80 vs $200) would make it awful tempting.
The construction does appear to be somewhat beefier with the Radial. And FWIW Radial uses a Jensen transformer. Markbass uses "the world's finest", whatever that means (apparently not Jensen
).I'll be curious to see some user reports, especially with a direct comparison. If the Markbass holds up sonically, that price point ($80 vs $200) would make it awful tempting.
Yeah, the price on the Markbass is awful tempting. What I need to figure out is "Dollar for dollar, which is the better product?" I don't want to drop $200 on a DI if I can avoid it. Also, I know they both are designed to handle higher output. I'm using a VT Bass pedal which will boost my signal. That's why I was considering these two.
thanks!
i wouldn't say "only" of course, but an active bass wouldn't need an active box, while a passive box might still have a little loss if fed with a passive pickup signal (the box's transformer might load down the pickup, making the bass sound duller than it otherwise would be).
OK. I stand corrected. - slowly backs away from the thread -
From the Markbass website:
The Mark Bass Super Pro Di Bass Guitar DI Box- Markbass has worked long and hard to design a state-of-the-art direct box that fully meets the needs of professional sound engineers. Phase distortion and harmonic distortion are most prevalent at lower frequencies, but through the Super Pro DI Box, the sound comes through clearly with smooth, transparent low end.
Designed for active basses. - fans the flames -
The Mark Bass Super Pro Di Bass Guitar DI Box- Markbass has worked long and hard to design a state-of-the-art direct box that fully meets the needs of professional sound engineers. Phase distortion and harmonic distortion are most prevalent at lower frequencies, but through the Super Pro DI Box, the sound comes through clearly with smooth, transparent low end.
Designed for active basses. - fans the flames -
bongomania
Commercial User
Right--as noted, a passive bass is sometimes not suited to a passive DI like the Markbass. Or, for example, the JDI that you mentioned in the first post.
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
Peter Janis of Radial Engineering wrote an interesting article on this topic in issue #3 of BassGear magazine (page#102).
I've heard nothing but good things about Radial DIs. I ended up buying a Countryman Type 85 because I found one at a good price and I've been very pleased with its performance.
