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REDDI Tube DI Mega-thread-III

#521
Was it not completely clear that I'm not asking for a DI/preamp but just a preamp? I get that a REDDI is just a DI. Like several others I have hands on experience trying to use the REDDI as a preamp. It doesn't work. If someone knows about a an existing instrument pre (NOT a DI/pre like a Monique) that has those big transformers like a REDDI and sounds like a REDDI I'm all ears. As far as I know nothing like that really exists though.

And for people suggesting that I just be happy with having the 2 out of 3 a REDDI provides my reply is, "NO".
 
#523
jeffbonny said:
Was it not completely clear that I'm not asking for a DI/preamp but just a preamp? I get that a REDDI is just a DI. Like several others I have hands on experience trying to use the REDDI as a preamp. It doesn't work. If someone knows about a an existing instrument pre (NOT a DI/pre like a Monique) that has those big transformers like a REDDI and sounds like a REDDI I'm all ears. As far as I know nothing like that really exists though.

And for people suggesting that I just be happy with having the 2 out of 3 a REDDI provides my reply is, "NO".
Click to expand...


You should probably start your own company and make exactly what you want. No worries that way.
 
#524
I can't personally relate to all the people who want to use the REDDI as a preamp, having its tone affecting your amp's sound. When I'm in a setting where there's front-of-house sound reinforcement, my amp simply becomes my personal stage monitor for my bass. It's only for me to hear myself on stage, while the audience is hearing my bass through the house PA system. I love the natural sound of my amp so much, I don't want to change it with any external factor, especially if it's only being used as my stage monitor. In those settings, I take much comfort in the fact that my REDDI is sending an absolutely amazing tone/signal to the FOH for the audience to hear.

In a small setting where I'm not running through FOH, and the audience is only hearing me from my amp, then I don't need a DI anyway. I think it's important to understand what application the REDDI was built for, and not try to do something with it that it wasn't intended for. Again, this is just my personal viewpoint, formed from my own experiences.
 
#525
jeffbonny said:
Was it not completely clear that I'm not asking for a DI/preamp but just a preamp? I get that a REDDI is just a DI. Like several others I have hands on experience trying to use the REDDI as a preamp. It doesn't work. If someone knows about a an existing instrument pre (NOT a DI/pre like a Monique) that has those big transformers like a REDDI and sounds like a REDDI I'm all ears. As far as I know nothing like that really exists though.

And for people suggesting that I just be happy with having the 2 out of 3 a REDDI provides my reply is, "NO".
Click to expand...
OK OK!
 
#526
Killens84 said:
I can't personally relate to all the people who want to use the REDDI as a preamp, having its tone affecting your amp's sound. When I'm in a setting where there's front-of-house sound reinforcement, my amp simply becomes my personal stage monitor for my bass. It's only for me to hear myself on stage, while the audience is hearing my bass through the house PA system. I love the natural sound of my amp so much, I don't want to change it with any external factor, especially if it's only being used as my stage monitor. In those settings, I take much comfort in the fact that my REDDI is sending an absolutely amazing tone/signal to the FOH for the audience to hear.

In a small setting where I'm not running through FOH, and the audience is only hearing me from my amp, then I don't need a DI anyway. I think it's important to understand what application the REDDI was built for, and not try to do something with it that it wasn't intended for. Again, this is just my personal viewpoint, formed from my own experiences.
Click to expand...

There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting your amp/cab to sound the same as a REDDI through the mains. To argue otherwise just because REDDI can't do that is silly and beside the point. For those of us who gig more often without PA reinforcement, REDDI is not necessarily the right tool for live performance. Which is why I also have/gig a Monique. To my ears, the sound of Monique and REDDI are so similar I can use them interchangeably. As a result, whatever I'm hearing (through the PA or my amp/cab) sounds damn good!

Monique is like getting two REDDI's in one. It provides a REDDI sound to my amp/cab AND through the DI to the mains or my recording device. That makes Monique more versatile for me. We can get all twisted into knots here arguing which is better, yada yada yada. I'm more into practical applications. Monique can do more.

But I still love my REDDI, and use it most often for recording.
 
#527
Jule's way of getting around the issue of not being able to split the signal from the OT was to add on a tube preamp that doesn't go through the OT. Sounds very good, but probably not quite what we're talking about here. Not a dig on the Monique by any means...Jule's a talented and nice guy and makes a high quality product.
 
#528
Ukiah Bass said:
There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting your amp/cab to sound the same as a REDDI through the mains. To argue otherwise just because REDDI can't do that is silly and beside the point. For those of us who gig more often without PA reinforcement, REDDI is not necessarily the right tool for live performance. Which is why I also have/gig a Monique. To my ears, the sound of Monique and REDDI are so similar I can use them interchangeably. As a result, whatever I'm hearing (through the PA or my amp/cab) sounds damn good!



Monique is like getting two REDDI's in one. It provides a REDDI sound to my amp/cab AND through the DI to the mains or my recording device. That makes Monique more versatile for me. We can get all twisted into knots here arguing which is better, yada yada yada. I'm more into practical applications. Monique can do more.



But I still love my REDDI, and use it most often for recording.
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I didn't say anything was wrong with wanting that. I simply said I can't personally relate to it, because I'm very satisfied with the way my amp and REDDI function separately as is. I also can't relate to people who love eating cabbage, but that doesn't mean I think they're wrong for wanting to eat cabbage. I'm very happy for you and your Monique. And I hope that others who are searching for the REDDI's sound in their amp can take the same route you did. But for MY application and preference, I'm totally okay with only using the REDDI as a DI for the FOH, and having my Aguilar TH500 and Bergantino CN212 providing an amazing amp sound. Don't mistake that as me saying that others are wrong for not feeling that way.
 
#529
jeffbonny said:
Was it not completely clear that I'm not asking for a DI/preamp but just a preamp? I get that a REDDI is just a DI. Like several others I have hands on experience trying to use the REDDI as a preamp. It doesn't work. If someone knows about a an existing instrument pre (NOT a DI/pre like a Monique) that has those big transformers like a REDDI and sounds like a REDDI I'm all ears. As far as I know nothing like that really exists though.

And for people suggesting that I just be happy with having the 2 out of 3 a REDDI provides my reply is, "NO".
Click to expand...

Have you checked out an Alembic F-1X? I used one of those for years as the preamp in my bass rig. The transformers aren't REDDI sized, but the tone is spectacular. The only caveat - the preamp will only sound as good as the power amp you use with it. A Crest CA6 or CA9 was always my go-to power amp (big torroidal transformers that weigh quite a bit & pack a quick punch). If you use some of the lightweight power amps that are more common today, the tone usually suffers IME. YMMV.

You might also check out Invalid Link Removed. I've never tried that myself, so I can't speak to it. But it's A-Designs. I'm sure it's great. :)
 
#530
I see you got the SKB case for it. Great fit and protection for such an important piece of gear.

StrangerDanger said:
jyzu4usa.jpg


Now I'm ready to REDDI.
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#532
RocketMusic said:
Have you checked out an Alembic F-1X? I used one of those for years as the preamp in my bass rig. The transformers aren't REDDI sized, but the tone is spectacular. The only caveat - the preamp will only sound as good as the power amp you use with it. A Crest CA6 or CA9 was always my go-to power amp (big torroidal transformers that weigh quite a bit & pack a quick punch). If you use some of the lightweight power amps that are more common today, the tone usually suffers IME. YMMV.

You might also check out Invalid Link Removed. I've never tried that myself, so I can't speak to it. But it's A-Designs. I'm sure it's great. :)
Click to expand...

Hi Jeffbonny,

I think Greg hit this on the head.
 
#533
I should get that SKB case for mine, but I already lug two bags, sometimes a third, and another separate case will drive me insane, so I stick with the Tuki bag. I do stick it in my main cord bag, though, so it's pretty well protected.
 
#535
Here's the deal................... please don't tell anyone but IT'S A DI :ninja:

First, it's so interesting that so many people get involved with this thread.................thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would just like to say a few things here please.
ANY change you make to a product and that means ANY change will effect the outcome (tone/color/warmth etc).
It could be good and it could be different but never the same.

I have been doing my best to tell people about the 500 Series gear that is out there and how you can use ANY configuration you need for just about any application.

We make a 500HR dual slot rack Invalid Link Removed that you can use with a pre and EQ Invalid Link Removed or comp http://www.petesplaceaudio.com/bac-500.html ......then go to your power amp.
The REDDI fits very nice with these combos or even the Ventura Invalid Link Removed which Greg had stated.

If you can hang for a few more weeks I do have a few surprises that I will be showing at Jimmy's Bassacre on the 5th of April.

It would be great if you can make it down so you can plug in and play. :hyper:

Now some people may not like EVERYTHING but I'm sure there will be somethings that might appeal to most ( I hope)

I understand that this might be and I'm sure it is ........a shameless plug but these are tools that will get you there...that's all.........

Thanks so much for everything :)
 
#536
Peter Montessi said:
Hi Jeffbonny,

I think Greg hit this on the head.
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K....what he said did make sense to me. Ultimately though I keep coming back to an SVT or similar sized rack rig.....Bryston B3/F-1X or something. These damned class D amps have got me wanting my cake and eat it too but I don't think the kind subtleties I'm hearing in a REDDI are gonna come from an ultra light-weight or maybe even a moderately light-weight rig. Maybe it's time to quit whining and just get a V-Cart or RocknRoller and pack the big'un that has the big transformer subtleties I'm wanting.
 
#537
JimmyM said:
I should get that SKB case for mine, but I already lug two bags, sometimes a third, and another separate case will drive me insane, so I stick with the Tuki bag. I do stick it in my main cord bag, though, so it's pretty well protected.
Click to expand...

Jimmy.....look at my treasures!!! I thought you'd get a kick outta my picture!!
 

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#539
jeffbonny said:
K....what he said did make sense to me. Ultimately though I keep coming back to an SVT or similar sized rack rig.....Bryston B3/F-1X or something. These damned class D amps have got me wanting my cake and eat it too but I don't think the kind subtleties I'm hearing in a REDDI are gonna come from an ultra light-weight or maybe even a moderately light-weight rig. Maybe it's time to quit whining and just get a V-Cart or RocknRoller and pack the big'un that has the big transformer subtleties I'm wanting.
Click to expand...

True dat! But, I always have to come back and remember that only myself and other bassists are really listening for that detail in a tone. Recording is different as it is forever, but that is where REDDI comes in:hyper:
I might be saying this as I can't afford everything I want anyway and have to deal with it :(
 
#540
Gab124 said:
True dat! But, I always have to come back and remember that only myself and other bassists are really listening for that detail in a tone. Recording is different as it is forever, but that is where REDDI comes in:hyper:
I might be saying this as I can't afford everything I want anyway and have to deal with it :(
Click to expand...
And there's nothing at all wrong with playing cheap gear and making it shine through your talent. But I don't buy into the conventional wisdom that it doesn't make a difference for live work. I will say that I can find a way to make everything I plug into sound like me playing, but I've heard the difference and it's noticeable. Take the REDDI for example...there have been a couple gigs along the way where I left it at home, and I totally missed its ability to make high notes sound fat without adding overdrive or EQ that negatively affects the lower notes, and I don't believe you need to be a musicologist to tell.

That said, work within your budget, always play your best, and people will notice your contributions regardless of what gear you use.
 

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