REDDI - Really Worth It?

[fnordlyone]

What model Countryman do you use JimmyM? Love to hear about all toys including RNDI. I'm doing a bit of research so that when I get my Kappa12lf's, I'll have some real tone to feed them. I only have Tech21 BDDI; not happy with it. Considering Ampeg Portaflex heads as well as REDDI... I assume the tubage of the REDDI will crush them tone wise?
f!

 

[JimmyM]

What model Countryman do you use JimmyM? Love to hear about all toys including RNDI. I'm doing a bit of research so that when I get my Kappa12lf's, I'll have some real tone to feed them. I only have Tech21 BDDI; not happy with it. Considering Ampeg Portaflex heads as well as REDDI... I assume the tubage of the REDDI will crush them tone wise?
f!

I have a Type 85 Countryman. And yeah, I do like the REDDI better than the DI on the solid state Portaflexes, but the transformer DI on the PF-50T and 20T is totally in the league of the REDDI. Of course, they would because they're tube amps.

 

[svtb15]

Ive had my type 85 Countryman since around 1980 or so ..Its small , has HUGE headroom.. Great DI for under $150.. It is bullet proof.. Its clean sounding .. In general that brand has been used on more records than just about any other DI on earth .. I originally saw it at Atlantic Studios in NYC in around 1979 i guess.
I actually like it more than the radial or Brookes Siren active DI..
But I got my first REDDI about 11 years ago.. And it was my secret weapon .. Now every studio i go to buys one after i leave with mine. So now everyone has one. Well, not everyone, but many people..
Its fat and even sounding.. With extended lows and silky highs.. It does Rock well and virtuosos like reggie hamilton use it for his pure tones..
Ive told my story many times in this forum, so i dont need to go over it again..
But it worked out so well for me that i bought a second one.. One for my home studio where it is smoke free and safe and one to take on gigs. Its done rock gigs, pop gigs, bar gigs and mega church gigs..
The one mega church that i do when im home LOVES the reddi. i was out of town and had a sub fill in for me and they used the house Radial.. the soundman praised the REDDI when i came back with mine.. they ordered a REDDI for their worship center.

 

[fnordlyone]

I have a Type 85 Countryman. And yeah, I do like the REDDI better than the DI on the solid state Portaflexes, but the transformer DI on the PF-50T and 20T is totally in the league of the REDDI. Of course, they would because they're tube amps.

Thanks JimmyM for the reply. It was looking at the PF-50T that got me curious. Will have to look into the Countryman 85. I really feel I need some tubes.
gassing as always,
fnord!

 

[JimmyM]

Thanks JimmyM for the reply. It was looking at the PF-50T that got me curious. Will have to look into the Countryman 85. I really feel I need some tubes.
gassing as always,
fnord!

Well you still need a tube amp to make the Countryman pop, otherwise it's a typical active SS DI

 

[Jeff Bonny]

Well you still need a tube amp to make the Countryman pop, otherwise it's a typical active SS DI

I've never been a huge fan of the Countryman...it's always sounded too clean and thin to me. But the lightbulb just came on (yeah ok so I can be slow) that as a speaker level DI it might be one of the best. With the RNDI I've gotten a couple of comments using the speaker signal it's too thick sounding. That was with a P Bass with flats though. I have yet to try the speaker signal with the much more pointed sounding round strung Sadowsky Jazz.

I am a true bass geek and love to try different stuff and talk about it til the wives wander away rolling their eyes but it occurs to me that eventually I'm likely to go back to the REDDI for bar gigs. There's not much to talk about; you put in something good and something good comes out with absolutely no ****ing around.