REDDI Tube DI Mega-thread-II

[SpankyPants]

I know nothing of electronics, but my suggestion would be to make the Thru jack switchable as Pre/Post circuit. That way you wouldn't have to add many components or change the physical layout of the exterior. (Possibly saving money for everyone.) I'm just postulating... All of this being some sort of hypothetical, ideal situation. I have no idea how hard/easy it would be to reroute these signals inside of the unit.

For those who are wanting Peter to change the design to make it a preamp/DI, how much more would you be willing to spend if he was to release a REDDI-II? I'm just curious, and forgive me if this was already covered, but surely the cost would go up by quite a bit.

Well, like I said (knowing nothing about the actual logistics of this), I can't imagine that adding a pre/post circuit switch to the Thru out would considerably drive up costs.

REDDI is what it is. . . <snip>
Mr. Montessi: I would gladly buy a bushel of strawberries from you, if only you would make them espresso flavored. . . lime green in color. . . and sell them inexpensively!

Asking for a unbalanced output is hardly the type of hyperbolic request you seem to imply here. Peter himself spoke of how he had to amend his original design of the REDDI due to consumer demand. The REDDI is the top of its field as a DI, but to leave it as "it is what it is so let's not change it" is somewhat close minded. How would progress ever be made for... anything? If we all had that attitude, no one would ever try to do or make anything better, unique, or improved.

See? This is why we have these threads. I hadn't even considered the need for a second output transformer. I figured he'd simply piggyback on the first one, maybe have to upgrade that, but not too big a deal. If it turns out that you have to double everything, then it's cost prohibitive. If not, then I'd be willing to spend $1,100 on one that would double as a pre.

This is also what I figured... Would you be able to get an unbalanced out without having to add a second transformer?

 

[JimmyM]

Asking for a unbalanced output is hardly the type of hyperbolic request you seem to imply here. Peter himself spoke of how he had to amend his original design of the REDDI due to consumer demand. The REDDI is the top of its field as a DI, but to leave it as "it is what it is so let's not change it" is somewhat close minded. How would progress ever be made for... anything? If we all had that attitude, no one would ever try to do or make anything better, unique, or improved.

That happened for amps in 1960

 

[SpankyPants]

That happened for amps in 1960

What did? Progress or the attitude against it?

Well, I guess I have my answer since we're not all playing on 1960's amps now, are we? And yes, the REDDI is meant to emulate a B-15... But the fact is that we are not playing B15's. We're playing reengineered, augmented preamp channels that emulate B-15's. And these augmented preamps are considered to be the best...

 

[JimmyM]

I play B-15's all the time. AND a REDDI.

 

[JCRob]

Now have my REDDI and Basswitch together, so both basses get that "redness"

Haven't had the time yet to do a full comparison to share with mi fellow bassists, but will try to get on it this weekend.

 

[SpankyPants]

I play B-15's all the time. AND a REDDI.

Why? Because they're different... which reinforces my point.

 

[JimmyM]

I've lost track of why we're having this spirited discussion, Spankster. Oh wait, I think I remember why...no, then again I really don't remember.

Oh yeah, now I remember...the technology for getting the real sound of a tube amp in your rig as well as direct in the PA has existed for over 50 years now. Just get a tube amp and a speaker DI and you're in business. It'll weigh and cost considerably more, but them's the breaks.

 

[SpankyPants]

Jimmy, in almost every conversation I see you have here on TB, you pretty much always seem like a level-headed, genuine guy. I really appreciate that about you.

I posted in the last REDDI thread about why I was interested in the REDDI in the first place. By now, that's like 16 internet years, so here's the old post:

I've been oscillating back and forth between almost buying a REDDI to almost not buying a REDDI to almost buying a REDDI and so forth...


I think I would be on board if only the "Thru" would have the magic mojo that comes out of the DI output.

I'm about to do some recording, and I'll be using two mics and two DI's. The main DI is coming from the Preamp Out of my vintage tube amp into a JDI. I'm also considering using the speaker-out from my amp and implementing the speaker-level pad on the JDI... But that's neither here nor there. My tube amp is VERY bright. I mean, really, very bright. I'm a treble lovin' sombitch, but man, I roll off on the treble big time to get my sound. That being said, the sound is very "open" and articulate. And I love it.

Considering that I have a brighter, aggressive sounding DI, I want another DI to compliment it. I've been tossing around some ideas: Eden WTDI, Tronographic Rusty Box, different Ampeg preamps (I have an SVP BSP at the moment). I think the REDDI would likely best compliment my sound, and it would provide the balance I'm looking for.

However, if I can only use it for a DI... it's almost not worth it. All of these other options can be used as preamps, which is a big deal for me. I don't have a back up amp, so I was looking for something that could be used with my power amp in a pinch. Is there some way to get the actual magic tube tone from the REDDI loud enough to use with a power amp? (I'm not looking to add a rack mounted compressor or EQ at the moment. The price point of adding that would just make it harder to justify. I would also have to buy a bigger rack, which adds even more $$.)

So is this possible at all, or am I just spitting into the wind?

I have a tube amp and a JDI I run from the back of the head. The problem is that the tube head is the brightest soundin' head you don evah hoid, ya heya? The REDDI would provide that warm, round tube compliment to my ultra bright, airy amp. The fact that I can't use it as a preamp (i.e. backup amp for my vintage rig) is a deal breaker.

I'm just trying to twist Peter's arm into magically making a REDDIP, but really all I'm accomplishing is giving him an annoying Indian burn.

 

[JimmyM]

LOL! Well thank you, but if I was level headed, I wouldn't be playing music for a living

Well at least now you know why it's not as easy as sticking a splitter on the XLR output.

 

[SpankyPants]

Well at least now you know why it's not as easy as sticking a splitter on the XLR output.

I didn't see Peter say that exactly, but I didn't see him not say it. In between all of this conversation a lot of people have said stuff concerning the logistics of making a 1/4" tube out, but I'm waiting for the rainmaker to set it straight.

Or actually maybe he did already address it, and I just completely missed it.

 

[gillento]

Yeah I tried a few different things with no luck and have realized that using an active AB/Y is the best way to avoid this issue in future. The REDDI's THRU port just does not like my amps I guess, cuz even at medium volume they all just buzz away even without a bass plugged into the INPUT.

So my signal gets split before the REDDI and I have to run a clean signal into my amp for onstage monitoring, right? Meh... not a big deal. Seems like it'll be okay, but I'll letya know for sure on Sunday evening after I play my church's worship encounter night.

As long as FOH gets the REDDI's OUT signal, he's happy. The guy LOVES my sound straight outta this thing.

The Lehle P-Split is the best device for doing this. Earlier in the part 1 thread, there alre pics of these.
Apparently the db750/1 seem to be prone to this issue

 

[Downunderwonder]

Has anyone put their REDDI output into a small mixer or mic preamp and split that to the house and their own stage amp? It would be another layer of noise but it might not take away anything from the REDDI.

I don't know much of electronics but isn't it a case of changing the existing output transformer to one with a dual set of output windings? I know that is one of the more expensive parts but surely it wouldn't be all that expensive to do?

 

[gillento]

Now have my REDDI and Basswitch together, so both basses get that "

perfect!

 

[JimmyM]

Has anyone put their REDDI output into a small mixer or mic preamp and split that to the house and their own stage amp? It would be another layer of noise but it might not take away anything from the REDDI.

How well it performs is down to the quality of the mixer. I wouldn't expect it to sound so good with a cheap one. Better maybe, but not as good as plugging the REDDI in straight.

 

[SpankyPants]

How well it performs is down to the quality of the mixer. I wouldn't expect it to sound so good with a cheap one. Better maybe, but not as good as plugging the REDDI in straight.

Exactly. I had the same idea, but it felt like I'd be putting pickles and mayo on a steak.

One of the most important parts of the REDDI is its outputs. I'd try to keep as little as possible between the REDDI's out and the board's in. That's just me, though.

 

[english4bw]

I'd try to keep as little as possible between the REDDI's out and the board's in./QUOTE]

yeah this was my concern. I think I'll go with this AB/Y (used Radial for years and this is an excellent splitter)

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between my bass/amp/REDDI.

I'd rather send a clean signal from the REDDI's output to FOH than need to hear the REDDI signal in my own amp/monitor. I trust the REDDI implicitly. Our sound guys are always raving about my bass tone when I go direct.

Thanks everyone! You really helped me solve this issue.

 

[JCRob]

And bumpin' ...

OK guys, here it is: the first part of my A/B testing:

The bass: Pavel Aryel Dlx 6. The first two takes are in finger style, but with double coil pups configuration (parallel), one with and without REDDI.
The second ones are slapping with single coil Pup config.

I followed Peter's advice to leave the Bass' EQ flat...

If you don't like the sample's execution, at least mind the sound!!

Please comment what differences do you hear (I got my own, but is better to hear it from more experienced colleagues ).

Thank you for listening,

Roberto

 

[JCRob]

The other two...

 

[JimmyM]

Sounds to me the usual differences I hear with the REDDI...prettier high end, fatter overall presence, especially in the high notes. Killer playing as usual, BTW!

 

[JCRob]

Sounds to me the usual differences I hear with the REDDI...prettier high end, fatter overall presence, especially in the high notes. Killer playing as usual, BTW!

Thanks! I thought the same about those differences. I even can see the difference in the waveforms, the REDDI gets me a more even sound, kind of the work a compressor will make.

Couldn't ever think a DI will make such improvement to a bass' signal.

This thing is getting into me!!