That sucks, but I get it. But if it were me, I'd go out of my way to find a situation to use it so I didn't have to sell it
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REDDI Tube DI Mega-thread-II
- Thread starter Chef
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JimmyM said:That sucks, but I get it. But if it were me, I'd go out of my way to find a situation to use it so I didn't have to sell it
Decided to keep.
Hi all,
Man, I've had a long time reading all the post of this megathread...
And without wanting to be a complete d*g to start the DI vs Preamp discussion over the REDDI I have a question;
I have an Avalon U5 for more then 3 years now and actually like it... but as you people suffering from GAS know, reading more than 60 pages on the REDDI does something to you. So I ordered a REDDI which will be with me before my saturday gig
My rig consists of: ZON studio 5 string-> Diamond bass comp -> Avalon u5 -> crown xti 2000 power amp.
Obviously, the avalon can drive the power amp, but the REDDI will probably not (enough).
So my idea was to have a XLR->Jack cable to rout the sweet signal from the REDDI into the front of the U5. From there, one XLR out (line) will be for my power amp, the other XLR out (mic) for the FOH.
What do you guys think of this setup? will having the U5 after the REDDI have an influence on the "magic" tone?
Then about the compressor; do you suggest leaving it before the REDDI (its the only pedal I use), or having compression after the REDDI?
Of course I am going to figure everything out myself anyway and keep you posted, but want some comment from other users.
ROCK!
Man, I've had a long time reading all the post of this megathread...
And without wanting to be a complete d*g to start the DI vs Preamp discussion over the REDDI I have a question;
I have an Avalon U5 for more then 3 years now and actually like it... but as you people suffering from GAS know, reading more than 60 pages on the REDDI does something to you. So I ordered a REDDI which will be with me before my saturday gig
My rig consists of: ZON studio 5 string-> Diamond bass comp -> Avalon u5 -> crown xti 2000 power amp.
Obviously, the avalon can drive the power amp, but the REDDI will probably not (enough).
So my idea was to have a XLR->Jack cable to rout the sweet signal from the REDDI into the front of the U5. From there, one XLR out (line) will be for my power amp, the other XLR out (mic) for the FOH.
What do you guys think of this setup? will having the U5 after the REDDI have an influence on the "magic" tone?
Then about the compressor; do you suggest leaving it before the REDDI (its the only pedal I use), or having compression after the REDDI?
Of course I am going to figure everything out myself anyway and keep you posted, but want some comment from other users.
ROCK!
First, welcome to the Cult Of REDDI! It's a nice cult, though. No animal sacrifices or giving up your children required
I have tried similar with an Ampeg Micro VR, both into the input and into the effect return. Admittedly not the U5, but I think it gives me an idea. It made the Micro VR sound a little better, but in both situations, it acted negatively upon the REDDI compared to plain REDDI. I quickly abandoned that idea. Might work better with the U5, but I expect it'll act upon it in its own way as well.
Comp is a matter of taste. I haven't used a comp in 3 years, but I always wanted it going into the PA when I was using it. But what I discovered is that even though I'd tell soundmen I have my own compressor, they'd add theirs anyway. Still, if you consider it integral to your sound, I'd run it through the PA.
I have tried similar with an Ampeg Micro VR, both into the input and into the effect return. Admittedly not the U5, but I think it gives me an idea. It made the Micro VR sound a little better, but in both situations, it acted negatively upon the REDDI compared to plain REDDI. I quickly abandoned that idea. Might work better with the U5, but I expect it'll act upon it in its own way as well.
Comp is a matter of taste. I haven't used a comp in 3 years, but I always wanted it going into the PA when I was using it. But what I discovered is that even though I'd tell soundmen I have my own compressor, they'd add theirs anyway. Still, if you consider it integral to your sound, I'd run it through the PA.
Thanks for your welcome and your response Jimmy.
I indeed read your experiences with the REDDI and the Micro VR. I hope that the Avalon will show different results, time will tell..
The fact that the REDDI can be put into a preamp, be it a A-Designs 500 series, ventura, API or the preamp of the mixing board or FOH, suggests to me that the signal can actually be taken into another unit without degradation. Ofcourse the U5 is not a full equiped studio preamp, but actually has a high input impedance (3Mohm) and a flat frequency response.
I'm not really an electronics expert, but probably the Ampeg Micro VR itself is allready colored and has a lower input impedance (I cannot find the input impedance) giving less favorable results in this particular "REDDI tone splitting setting".
Again, I maybe wrong since I am not an expert in this.
Maybe it is just wishful thinking of having 2 sweet REDDI signal outputs
I indeed read your experiences with the REDDI and the Micro VR. I hope that the Avalon will show different results, time will tell..
The fact that the REDDI can be put into a preamp, be it a A-Designs 500 series, ventura, API or the preamp of the mixing board or FOH, suggests to me that the signal can actually be taken into another unit without degradation. Ofcourse the U5 is not a full equiped studio preamp, but actually has a high input impedance (3Mohm) and a flat frequency response.
I'm not really an electronics expert, but probably the Ampeg Micro VR itself is allready colored and has a lower input impedance (I cannot find the input impedance) giving less favorable results in this particular "REDDI tone splitting setting".
Again, I maybe wrong since I am not an expert in this.
Maybe it is just wishful thinking of having 2 sweet REDDI signal outputs
Well even as an Ampeg endorser, I'm not going to pretend that the Micro VR is a super high end product So I imagine you'll get better results than I did. Hope it works for you!
So I imagine you'll get better results than I did. Hope it works for you!Hi all,
Man, I've had a long time reading all the post of this megathread...
And without wanting to be a complete d*g to start the DI vs Preamp discussion over the REDDI I have a question;
I have an Avalon U5 for more then 3 years now and actually like it... but as you people suffering from GAS know, reading more than 60 pages on the REDDI does something to you. So I ordered a REDDI which will be with me before my saturday gig
My rig consists of: ZON studio 5 string-> Diamond bass comp -> Avalon u5 -> crown xti 2000 power amp.
Obviously, the avalon can drive the power amp, but the REDDI will probably not (enough).
So my idea was to have a XLR->Jack cable to rout the sweet signal from the REDDI into the front of the U5. From there, one XLR out (line) will be for my power amp, the other XLR out (mic) for the FOH.
What do you guys think of this setup? will having the U5 after the REDDI have an influence on the "magic" tone?
Then about the compressor; do you suggest leaving it before the REDDI (its the only pedal I use), or having compression after the REDDI?
Of course I am going to figure everything out myself anyway and keep you posted, but want some comment from other users.
ROCK!
You could just get a split XLR, run one side to the snake/mixer, and the other to an XLR>1/4" into your Avalon. This would eliminate your concern about the Avalon coloring your signal to FOH, and still get you some additional REDDI goodness into your stage amp.
I haven't run the REDDI into my Avalon yet so am interested to hear your results...
So far I have had good results running either the U5 or the REDDI into a dbx 160A rackmount compressor and using that to up the level to drive my poweramps properly
At high volumes through the poweramp you can definitely hear the tube fullness and bloom of the REDDI compared to the super cleanliness of the U5. Not that the REDDI isn't clean, just more of a tube clean vs a SS clean
So far I have had good results running either the U5 or the REDDI into a dbx 160A rackmount compressor and using that to up the level to drive my poweramps properly
At high volumes through the poweramp you can definitely hear the tube fullness and bloom of the REDDI compared to the super cleanliness of the U5. Not that the REDDI isn't clean, just more of a tube clean vs a SS clean
I got a notification from UPS that the REDDI will come in tomorrow
Now I have to try keeping my girlfriend at home to prevent missing the package.....
I will experiment with the different setups in the weekend (have a gig as well on saturday) and keep you informed!
Now I have to try keeping my girlfriend at home to prevent missing the package.....
I will experiment with the different setups in the weekend (have a gig as well on saturday) and keep you informed!
First, welcome to the Cult Of REDDI! It's a nice cult, though. No animal sacrifices or giving up your children required
Speak for yourself Jimmy, Kirk gets the first born Male child
He started that once he started playing those gigs out in the middle of nowhere in TX with Beer and Boobs
I got a notification from UPS that the REDDI will come in tomorrow
Now I have to try keeping my girlfriend at home to prevent missing the package.....
I will experiment with the different setups in the weekend (have a gig as well on saturday) and keep you informed!
Hope you like her!
Have fun,
Hello all, here are my first thoughts and experiences with the REDDI;
I've used it now for around 5 hours at home, 2 hours on a live gig and 4 hours rehearsal.
I really like the textured finish which helps getting a good grip on the REDDI. The first thing I did before experimenting with the sound and setup was putting a small piece of tape over the blue led
I tried different setups and gain settings using:
-(passive) ZON sonus studio 5 and G&L JB2 tribute
-Vovox sonorus instrument cable
-Diamond bass compressor (EQ disabled, comp between 9 and 11 o clock, master at noon = fairly light to medium compression with my passive basses)
-Avalon U5 (connected with the REDDI using a vovox JACK-JACK cable and a Neutrik XLR-JACK adapter)
-Crown XTI 2000 (running only 1 channel into a DIY 2x15 kind of Greenboy style cab using the kappalite 3015LF's)
-Sennheiser earbuds via the headphone out of the Avalon
Ok, First the REDDI alone direct into the Crown:
As expected giving not really enough signal to drive the poweramp. The sound was OK but not wat you would like to hear.
Then REDDI, COMP, AVALON:
Since the diamond comp is a instrument level comp, the output of the REDDI had to be around 8-9 o clock not to compress the whole signal. The Avalon had to be turned up quiet high to get the desired level to feed the power amp.
This was OK, but the sound was very similar to running the comp/Avalon alone without the REDDI
Then the COMP, REDDI, AVALON:
This is it! Ofcourse I thought so allready but wanted to make sure that I didn't forget other possibilities.
Like mentioned, I only use light compression and disabled the EQ of the COMP. After much listening/comparing I concluded that the COMP does not degrade the signal using these settings IME.
Then comes the REDDI; I used the gain knob between 9 o clock and fully open. The harder I drive the REDDI, the lower boost I need on the Avalon to get to the desired line level. I listened with my headphones carefully to determine when the total gain of the REDDI and Avalon was becomming to much, slightly distorting the signal. When only the slightest distortion was noticed (on headphones, not noticeble on the 15 inch speakers) I turned the avalon one click down (3dB). So I was able to blend the amount of character gain of the REDDI with the "clean" gain of the Avalon.
To keep the story short: My favorite settings are: REDDI at 12-1 o clock, Avalon boost: 5, (15 dB).
This gives me a very full, warm sound which I could never get using the Avalon alone. I was satisfied after this first day but not really really happy.
Then the Gig using the whole same setup and settings: We were in an acoustically terrible bar and soundchecking was not easy. But when I cranked the volume of my amp a litte bit: There was a very NICE, full bass sound; Clean yet full. Then the real REDDI smile came on my face
The line out of the avalon was for my crown, the mic out for the FOH. The soundguy was used to my avalon sound and allways liked it. He said that he was liking this new signal more.
Then maybe the best part for me: I use (wired) in ears (the mentioned sennheiser earbuds) from the avalon headphone out having only bass on them. The sound now is perfect! Very full and clean, like I have an amp sound through the earbuds.
So Although the REDDI is a DI and I don't want to rename it as a colourbox or preamp or whatever, I found a way to use it for my own stage amp, my earbuds and the FOH at the same time without sacrificing signal quality IMO.
And I think the best compliment for the REDDI is that I cannot do without it any more, tried without 5 minutes at the rehearsal and put it in the signal chain as soon as the song was over
Thanks Peter!
I've used it now for around 5 hours at home, 2 hours on a live gig and 4 hours rehearsal.
I really like the textured finish which helps getting a good grip on the REDDI. The first thing I did before experimenting with the sound and setup was putting a small piece of tape over the blue led
I tried different setups and gain settings using:
-(passive) ZON sonus studio 5 and G&L JB2 tribute
-Vovox sonorus instrument cable
-Diamond bass compressor (EQ disabled, comp between 9 and 11 o clock, master at noon = fairly light to medium compression with my passive basses)
-Avalon U5 (connected with the REDDI using a vovox JACK-JACK cable and a Neutrik XLR-JACK adapter)
-Crown XTI 2000 (running only 1 channel into a DIY 2x15 kind of Greenboy style cab using the kappalite 3015LF's)
-Sennheiser earbuds via the headphone out of the Avalon
Ok, First the REDDI alone direct into the Crown:
As expected giving not really enough signal to drive the poweramp. The sound was OK but not wat you would like to hear.
Then REDDI, COMP, AVALON:
Since the diamond comp is a instrument level comp, the output of the REDDI had to be around 8-9 o clock not to compress the whole signal. The Avalon had to be turned up quiet high to get the desired level to feed the power amp.
This was OK, but the sound was very similar to running the comp/Avalon alone without the REDDI
Then the COMP, REDDI, AVALON:
This is it! Ofcourse I thought so allready but wanted to make sure that I didn't forget other possibilities.
Like mentioned, I only use light compression and disabled the EQ of the COMP. After much listening/comparing I concluded that the COMP does not degrade the signal using these settings IME.
Then comes the REDDI; I used the gain knob between 9 o clock and fully open. The harder I drive the REDDI, the lower boost I need on the Avalon to get to the desired line level. I listened with my headphones carefully to determine when the total gain of the REDDI and Avalon was becomming to much, slightly distorting the signal. When only the slightest distortion was noticed (on headphones, not noticeble on the 15 inch speakers) I turned the avalon one click down (3dB). So I was able to blend the amount of character gain of the REDDI with the "clean" gain of the Avalon.
To keep the story short: My favorite settings are: REDDI at 12-1 o clock, Avalon boost: 5, (15 dB).
This gives me a very full, warm sound which I could never get using the Avalon alone. I was satisfied after this first day but not really really happy.
Then the Gig using the whole same setup and settings: We were in an acoustically terrible bar and soundchecking was not easy. But when I cranked the volume of my amp a litte bit: There was a very NICE, full bass sound; Clean yet full. Then the real REDDI smile came on my face
The line out of the avalon was for my crown, the mic out for the FOH. The soundguy was used to my avalon sound and allways liked it. He said that he was liking this new signal more.
Then maybe the best part for me: I use (wired) in ears (the mentioned sennheiser earbuds) from the avalon headphone out having only bass on them. The sound now is perfect! Very full and clean, like I have an amp sound through the earbuds.
So Although the REDDI is a DI and I don't want to rename it as a colourbox or preamp or whatever, I found a way to use it for my own stage amp, my earbuds and the FOH at the same time without sacrificing signal quality IMO.
And I think the best compliment for the REDDI is that I cannot do without it any more, tried without 5 minutes at the rehearsal and put it in the signal chain as soon as the song was over
Thanks Peter!
svtb15
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- Mar 22, 2004
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- I play it all. Whatever works for the gig. Q+
Thats a great in depth report. But people should take notice ( i know that you know) the REDDI is not and never was intended to be a Preamp.. Only a DI... plain and simple.
If i want to preamp a singnal I use the A-Design EM500 Gold (preamp ) which is incredible! Others can use what you have, Avalon, neve, api etc..... Just a reminder to folks that want the REDDI to be what it was not intended to be - a preamp...
A-Design has a new preamp named the VENTURA.. Which is a great channel strip style tru studio quality.. And would be a great bass preamp with the right power amp and cab..
have a gawk at this baby http://adesignsaudio.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/ventura_front1.jpg
But other than that... Ill bet your Fearful and crown sound very nice...!
I have a crown MA1200 whcih is the biggest , baddest phattest amp that i have ever heard.. Just dont use much these days.. But when i do I know what you are getting.. Crown Rules!
If i want to preamp a singnal I use the A-Design EM500 Gold (preamp ) which is incredible! Others can use what you have, Avalon, neve, api etc..... Just a reminder to folks that want the REDDI to be what it was not intended to be - a preamp...
A-Design has a new preamp named the VENTURA.. Which is a great channel strip style tru studio quality.. And would be a great bass preamp with the right power amp and cab..
have a gawk at this baby http://adesignsaudio.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/ventura_front1.jpg
But other than that... Ill bet your Fearful and crown sound very nice...!
I have a crown MA1200 whcih is the biggest , baddest phattest amp that i have ever heard.. Just dont use much these days.. But when i do I know what you are getting.. Crown Rules!
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