REDDI Tube DI Mega-thread-III

[svtb15]

Oh look its Bob Ludwig.. Yepp.. The man knows his stuff..... HE is the guy in Maine ..
As I always say. Different strokes for different folks..
More hits have been done with a Countryman than any DI in history..

EDIT As I said over a decade ago to players on TB that don't want their bass sounds to be changed..
I don't think they know how things are altered in a recording process from tracking to mastering.. From back then TAPE .. to digital..

Almost every project i do now it 96k! MINIMUM.. Where 48 was fine just 4 years ago. and a CD is 41..

I don’t think that anyone is knocking the REDDI.

Both Bob and Adam seem to be nice people. There were recent videos interviewing them. I’m amazed that Bob can still do what he does. At 74, most are not able to.

 

[beans-on-toast]

My OLD home rack or preamps. .I USED to feed my Old API pre from my REDDI. I sold these and got a 500 series 512.. I don't need all the channels anymore .. API 3124 is the top rack..
It was great.... YOu can open them up and hit them hard and they only get better sounding.
To me the REDDI is closer to an API thng than a Neve thing..
I only now have a neve clone by BAE.. Very good unit and quieter than my old neve from the 70s.


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I have a BAE unit that I’m very happy with. You can’t go wrong there.

 

[svtb15]

I really want to get the DMP... Best of both worlds if you have a REDDI too.
But honestly.. Unless I run a studio for hire. Which o dont.. I only need one or the other

I have a BAE unit that I’m very happy with. You can’t go wrong there.

 

[Kro]

...compared to other (solid state) sources of drive I'm familiar with, this seems to be the big difference - a very strong 2nd harmonic while carefully controlling/downplaying additional harmonics further down the line.

Hmm... with the exception of my GK 1001RB-ii preamp...

With a relatively low input, the EQ set as scoped flat, and the G.I.V.E (boost) circuit all the way down, the harmonics are remarkably similar for such different style amps. At least on paper...

 

[Kro]

Anybody interested in a tube challenge grudge match between the REDDI and my VTDI, with maybe my GK thrown in for fun as well?

Might be extra interesting as I have a VTDI that actually has the defeatable bite and speaker sim unlike @JimmyM 's deluxe.

Doing some reamping right now for my own personal listening pleasure, being ultra mindful of both correct and consistent instrument level input and output levels, and with the closest settings that I could find between each by EYE (not by ear). That in and of itself could lead to some interesting results...

Wouldn't be surprised if one had something going on that I wasn't aware of and sounded completely different, but who knows maybe they'll all sound exactly alike!

 

[JimmyM]

Anybody interested in a tube challenge grudge match between the REDDI and my VTDI, with maybe my GK thrown in for fun as well?

Might be extra interesting as I have a VTDI that actually has the defeatable bite and speaker sim unlike @JimmyM 's deluxe.

Doing some reamping right now for my own personal listening pleasure, being ultra mindful of both correct and consistent instrument level input and output levels, and with the closest settings that I could find between each by EYE (not by ear). That in and of itself could lead to some interesting results...

Wouldn't be surprised if one had something going on that I wasn't aware of and sounded completely different, but who knows maybe they'll all sound exactly alike!

These are always fun. They can sound a lot alike given similar settings, but 73% could tell the difference in my old shootout. Doesn't mean I'll get it right in yours, but I do know what to listen for

Just a suggestion, tho...use your ears, too

 

[svtb15]

It must be great to have that extra time on your hands for fun projects . My dry season should be coming up soon.. . But hopefully not this year..

 

[Kro]

Just a suggestion, tho...use your ears, too

Nah, I do that all the time. I like the challenge of seeing how close my eyes can actually get things - that's part of the fun of this experiment for me, trying to see what the differences are that I either can't see, or don't know how to look for yet. It's all a learning experience.

I did my initial recording for reamping just monitoring through my crappy desktop speakers - sounded great. Did my reamping with it and it still sounded great. Put some quality headphones on: noise. Much, much noise.

Probably going to have to re-record paying better attention to my noise floor and then reamping again. At least my settings should stay locked in as long as my pets and kids stay away from things... actually now that I think about it, the odds aren't really all that good...

 

[Kro]

It must be great to have that extra time on your hands for fun projects . My dry season should be coming up soon.. . But hopefully not this year..

Well, not saying I'm as busy as you, but this counts as burning the candle at both ends for me I think...

I'll pay for it tomorrow.

 

[Kro]

Ugh, so much noise. Not saying which this one was, aside from that it was the noisiest.

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That probably sounds like on anything that isn't my crummy desktop speakers, right?

 

[JimmyM]

Ugh, so much noise. Not saying which this one was, aside from that it was the noisiest.

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That probably sounds like on anything that isn't my crummy desktop speakers, right?

Did you try lifting the ground? Were you near any noise-inducing objects like dimmers or fluorescent lights?

 

[Kro]

Did you try lifting the ground? Were you near any noise-inducing objects like dimmers or fluorescent l

It just comes down to me focusing on everything but the most critical element - the source! I've already fixed it, just needed a little attention once I noticed it. I really need to invest in better monitors...

 

[svtb15]

The bass on its own has an overall very nice Growl to it, Without the DI's

 

[Kro]

So, it turns out I had some bigger electrical problems where I was originally testing things out that I've now completely addressed. I need to revisit my earlier posts, as I didn't do anything tonight but play, but...

Holy cow this thing feels and sounds good.

I'm not sure I can give it back.

Edit: actually, I'd say my biggest learning so far is that either I'm really bad at reamping, or that it provides results that are wildly inconsistent with the real thing. Even with the level matched (impedance differences)? Regardless, what a difference plugging directly in makes...

 

[SteveC]

Can I ask a question? I play DI/IEM solent stage gigs. Our own gear all the time. Roscoe 5 string. I am currently using an OCSD as a DI and for some “cab simulation” to give my IEM’s especially some life. I was using a JDI which was great but almost too clean. Recently I have noticed some hiss from the OCSD. It might be a gain issue, but if not, would a REDDI give me what I’m looking for - some life/presence/cab simulation type of effect/sound?

Thanks.

 

[svtb15]

You will probably get 10 different answers form 10 different people.. LOL
JDI is a great DI.

The REDDI Will Not give you cab sim.
People say it sounds like a B15.. I NEVER made that correlation. .Ive been using a REDDI since 2004 or 2005????.. its been so long
Maybe some people think so. That's OK. Like I said you will get 10 different answers.

I have used the REDDI on Grammy sessions etc etc blah blah blah. No reason to toot my horn. Just did my job.
I have owned so many DI.s Evil twin. Fern, DMI, Avalons. etc etc etc. I sold them all and have kept the REDDI for years after a famous producer i was working with said to bring no other And he went and bought one for himself.
I've told it 50 times i guess.
Its just sound good and wide . But more than just hearing. .Its FEELING the sound.
Does the REDDI add something? Perhaps yes. But I'm so used to it I dont notice it anymore. But I did notice when i didn't have it on a IEM gig where I had to use another DI.. I missed what I had. So now i own 2 REDDIs.
If you are feeding a low budget FOH system, Mixer Preamp etc. or speakers You may not get the full revelation . It will only sound as good as the weakest link it the chain..

The Evil Twin would be more coloured than the REDDI. With HEAVY low end extension and a Bump below the hearing threshold. I was talking with Bob Clearmoutain at NAMM m and he liked using that one..

ToneCraft may be something you are looking for if you want to alter your sound with EQ and or Input gain up..

The REDDI to me is more like a Lower Gain API input Preamp.. Its phat, wide and fast with HUGE headroom

Can I ask a question? I play DI/IEM solent stage gigs. Our own gear all the time. Roscoe 5 string. I am currently using an OCSD as a DI and for some “cab simulation” to give my IEM’s especially some life. I was using a JDI which was great but almost too clean. Recently I have noticed some hiss from the OCSD. It might be a gain issue, but if not, would a REDDI give me what I’m looking for - some life/presence/cab simulation type of effect/sound?

Thanks.

 

[svtb15]

For Hiss issues.
Maybe make sure all your Gain structure is good from end to end..
The REDDI is going to be CLEAN.. Bt to me it's not sterile Clean. To me the Avalon is Sterile Clean depending on the preset knob..
Have you tried a PASSIVE cheap DI just for the fun of it? Sometimes stuff like that works out.. Does Not have to be $$$$$$ to work for your situation..

Can I ask a question? I play DI/IEM solent stage gigs. Our own gear all the time. Roscoe 5 string. I am currently using an OCSD as a DI and for some “cab simulation” to give my IEM’s especially some life. I was using a JDI which was great but almost too clean. Recently I have noticed some hiss from the OCSD. It might be a gain issue, but if not, would a REDDI give me what I’m looking for - some life/presence/cab simulation type of effect/sound?

Thanks.

 

[SteveC]

I’m going to try my JDI again. Maybe alone (but that gets me back to where I was tone wise before I tired the OCSD) or maybe run the OCSD into the JDI. Not sure if that will change anything or not. I did boost the output of the internal preamp on my Roscoe today to see if that will help us with gain structure and noise floor and all that.

There was nothing really wrong with the JDI, it was just not as "live/full" sounding as the OCSD. I have changed my EQ (on my bass) since I quit using the JDI so that might make a difference as well. If the JDI were a little "warmer" it would be perfect. Passive, built like a tank Jensen transformer, etc.

It's power trio Sunday so I'm going to try some changes and I'll be able to hear better as there won't be keys getting in the way.

 

[TonyP-]

ToneCraft may be something you are looking for if you want to alter your sound with EQ and or Input gain up..

The REDDI to me is more like a Lower Gain API input Preamp.. Its phat, wide and fast with HUGE headroom

Well Said Kirk...That is one thing that I like about the REDDI is that it is HUGE sounding but not slow. For my own material, I play someone what hurky jerky and I need quick responding gear. The REDDI nails it for me.

I'm also contemplating building one of my pedal boards around the KGB. Steve is warning against that with soundman complaining about the hot signal, but I cannot see that being an issue with being able to adjust the gain.

 

[svtb15]

I have the KGB prototype. I was named the G spot at the time.. Its like the Blue one that you are holding. Its amazing SS preamp.. TOns of Gain. Punchy as all heck..
The one with EQ is what steve has.. Either way . you will be very happy.. I need to possibly the the one with EQ some day..

Well Said Kirk...That is one thing that I like about the REDDI is that it is HUGE sounding but not slow. For my own material, I play someone what hurky jerky and I need quick responding gear. The REDDI nails it for me.

I'm also contemplating building one of my pedal boards around the KGB. Steve is warning against that with soundman complaining about the hot signal, but I cannot see that being an issue with being able to adjust the gain.

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