I like the D.I. coming out of my GB shuttle. Thinking about the REDDI primarily for live use. Can you hear the $800.00difference? Will this solve the problem of live sound engineers screwing up my tone?
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REDDI - Really Worth It?
- Thread starter southsidebass
- Start date
Read the REDDI threads and you won't find many who've used one saying they can't hear a major difference or that it's not worth the money. What some people fail to completely comprehend is that on most PA supported gigs a DI is your main sonic link to the audience. What's that link worth to you?
I have one and I'll say while your solo'ed tone will not improve dramatically, your tone in the mix miraculously becomes perfect, requiring very little tweeking. My producer and engineer creamed over this DI after we started using it. Can't comment on it live, but good engineers notice the difference with good DI's. They all comment on my Aguilar's DI.
I found mine used on Ebay for $600 shipped.
I found mine used on Ebay for $600 shipped.
- Aug 21, 2003
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the last original band I was in erased an entire album's worth of bass tracks and re-recorded them after they got a REDDI. the old bass tracks were recorded with good gear -- avalon , chandler, brent averill stuff.
They do use it live as well.
They do use it live as well.
Was a diehard cab mic'er and did not like DI's till I heard the REDDI. Gives me everything I love about micing without bleed, and without having to get into arguments with moron soundguys who can't operate a bass cab mic. I take it with me to every single gig now, even if I fly.
I attended at Gerald Veasley concert. It was in a museum in Phila; concrete floors, high ceilings, everything we hate acoutically. However, his tone was great coming through the PA. When he took a break, and walked over tho the soundman and asked, how are getting souch great tone from the bass rig in this room? He said, see that Red Box on top of the bass rig, it's called a REDDI DI. He asked was I a bassist, and when I said yes, he said Get One. I did, and couldn't be happier.
From my experience, in a live setting, the audible differences between *quality* DIs are imperceptible. I don't think anyone in the room could tell the difference between the $800 Reddi and a $200 Radial JDI.
I own and use both a REDDI and a JDI and can clearly hear the difference in terms of warmth and presence even through a small PA. More important so can soundmen and whether or not they're conscious of it the audience too. Worth an extra $600-800? That's a completely personal value judgement that isn't gonna be the same for everyone.
Comparing the Radial JDI and the REDDI might not be as obvious as the JDI does have the Jensen transformer going for it. Compare a cheap passive or active DI and the REDDI or JDI and you will hear a noticeable difference. If you can't bring yourself to spring for the REDDI due to finances, at least get a good quality DI. Sounds better and tends to be more reliable. I know there is an audible difference between a Radial ProDI and a cheap passive for acoustic guitar, ProDI being their DI that is half the price of the JDI. I own a JDI and it does way better than the DI's that get offered up to use, most of them pretty rough generic boxes.
I always felt the REDDI too big and unwieldy to deal with live. I'm usually setting up fast with a backline amp and just like things simple and reliable, so for me my JDI is the great-sounding solution for that. And I like to travel as light as possible. If I was touring with my own rig, then I might consider bringing the REDDI, but maybe not---lots less to go wrong with the JDI. My REDDI failed me in the studio once and I totally baby my gear, so I don't like the idea of beating it up on the road.
svtb15
Inactive
- Mar 22, 2004
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- I play it all. Whatever works for the gig. Q+
I think it is worth it.. Ive had mine on the road and in studios for almost 7 years without one issue.. Even had a guitar player drop mine face first in the parking lot denting the metal.. Still works perfectly.. It fits in the track better than other DIs that i have owned or used. U5, UA610, Demeter. Aguilar.. The REDDi just slams in a good way for me... It seems to carry the fantastic array of harmonic content that other DIs seem to miss.. Maybe it is the iron?
People talk about the JDI.. but i think the old trusty Countryman type 85FET has a nice sound in my opinion.. and i think it is cheaper too..
The JDI to me is the flavor of the year.. But the Country man is perhaps teh most recorded bass DI in history. And for a good reason.. If you have limited funds get the Countryman.. Less switches and stuff to mess with.. If you want go Pro Audio and really have something special and you have the cake to spend. get the REDDI..
People talk about the JDI.. but i think the old trusty Countryman type 85FET has a nice sound in my opinion.. and i think it is cheaper too..
The JDI to me is the flavor of the year.. But the Country man is perhaps teh most recorded bass DI in history. And for a good reason.. If you have limited funds get the Countryman.. Less switches and stuff to mess with.. If you want go Pro Audio and really have something special and you have the cake to spend. get the REDDI..
That's a pretty hard assessment of a DI that over the years has proven itself a reliable workhorse on stages and in studios of all sorts worldwide. It's one of a small handful of DIs that no one will ever question your using....unless of course you've previously brought a REDDI out and completely transmogrified their idea of what a DI should sound like on bass.
The Jensen output transformer is nothing like the big honkin' piece of iron in the REDDI.
And on a related note, count me in the bunch who can easily tell a big difference with the REDDI in an audience. I've used it in venues ranging from small clubs and rec halls with very average PA to 10,000 seat arenas with state of the art PA, and could easily tell the difference every time.
- Aug 21, 2003
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Kurt I'm with you on the REDDI, but I don't think the JDI is flavor of the year. I have one for years that lives in my main gig bag.
I use the JDI primarily for studio based rehearsals and live backup and really like what Radial is doing. I digress from the OP so back to that...Yes its the REDDI is worth it, your engineers and artists you play with will love You for it.
I can hear a big difference between a JDI and a REDDI. It's pretty night and day. I've had sound men plug me into the Type 85, then I break out the REDDI and they gush.
I've also had on guy let me do one set on a Type 85, then the next on the REDDI. I'm not sure that I've gotten more compliments on my tone after that set, so we used the REDDI for the 3rd set as well.
With that said, I'm starting to lean towards my U5 now. I love my REDDI too, but the U5 is getting more use.
Are you playing big shows or weekend bar gigs? Get the REDDI for big shows. Spend about $200.00 on a Countryman or a Radial, otherwise. I use a Countryman Type 85, even for bigger festivals and such.
Thinking that you need to sound better on a "big" gig than you do in a bar is shortsighted. If that's the attitude you take for bar gigs why would anyone hearing you in that bar think they should hire you for their session or tour? I'm not saying a REDDI or U5 will buy you more gigs than a JDI or Type 85. Being lazy or a chickenpoopie will cost you them though. Use the best gear you can.
