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REDDI Tube DI Mega Thread . Potential megathread that is.

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#461
Ukiah Bass said:
Na, Na Na Na na! Traitor! Better delete those 10,000 comments about the virtues of cab micing! :)
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No way, UB! I'll take a cab mic any day over any other DI made but the REDDI and a speaker DI'd tube amp (preferably a B-15 of course!). A cab mic has more balls because I believe the pressure of the air on the diaphragm adds a punch back to it that DI's don't usually have, and it even works with less than stellar gear. And while you can notice a difference on a gig with a B-15 mic'ed vs a Micro VR mic'ed, the gulf between them in the PA is way less than DIing them. DI puts everything out there in the open for all to see.

So I'm still down with the cab mics. But this thing is doing it for me just like the cab mic on the B-15 did, plus it's easier to set up and use. It's like it reads my mind...if I play soft and smooth, it's soft and smooth and natural. If I dig, it goes with me and toughens up for me without distorting. I think, hey, I could use a little more treble when I play this next part, and there it is. Exactly like a full-on tube amp at a clean volume. I think even solid state fans who hate tube amps can appreciate the tightness levels in my clips of the REDDI and the B-15.

Not trying to do a sales job on anyone here. I only do that for Ampeg ;) But the more time I spend with the REDDI, the more I realize that it's the real deal. What can I tell you? I'm a fan of great gear that does what it says it does. Also a fan of really cheap gear that does what it says it does, but I can tell the difference and so can anyone who doesn't listen to music on an MP3 player. And honestly, many people who listen on cheap MP3 players can tell the difference as well. I listened to my tracks on $20 earbuds and I clearly heard the difference. I can't stand not to have that tone anymore.
 
#463
:help::hmm:

Has anyone had the chance to check this out and compare it to the REDDI yet? I'm waiting for it to be released up here in Canada, and don't want to spend the cash on a REDDI before I give this Firefly a shot.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

11031rad.jpg
 
#464
english4bw said:
:help::hmm:

Has anyone had the chance to check this out and compare it to the REDDI yet? I'm waiting for it to be released up here in Canada, and don't want to spend the cash on a REDDI before I give this Firefly a shot.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

11031rad.jpg
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It doesn’t say anything about the power supply? - if its using a power wart the 12AX7s starved plate = sux. ;)
 
#465
english4bw said:
:help::hmm:

Has anyone had the chance to check this out and compare it to the REDDI yet? I'm waiting for it to be released up here in Canada, and don't want to spend the cash on a REDDI before I give this Firefly a shot.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

11031rad.jpg
Click to expand...

I like the features on this one. If it comes close to the REDDI feel, The Firefly would be far more versatile. It would pair well with Markbass gear.
 
#471
Where's the big iron output transformer? ;)

Looks like a nice starved plate hybrid DI with some versatility. I think folks who prefer solid state over tube would probably like it. But the key to getting that true tube tone is mixing tube with output transformer. And that one looks like it has one of those Jensen DI transformers and there's no big hunks of iron to be found. I'll trade versatility if you give me big hunks of iron. Anything more versatile with that real tone and you're talking big bucks, whereas the REDDI is still within reach of hard working slobs like me who need to watch pennies.
 
#472
JimmyM said:
Where's the big iron output transformer? ;)

Looks like a nice starved plate hybrid DI with some versatility. I think folks who prefer solid state over tube would probably like it. But the key to getting that true tube tone is mixing tube with output transformer. And that one looks like it has one of those Jensen DI transformers and there's no big hunks of iron to be found. I'll trade versatility if you give me big hunks of iron. Anything more versatile with that real tone and you're talking big bucks, whereas the REDDI is still within reach of hard working slobs like me who need to watch pennies.
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I don't agree that it has to be a big 'hunk' of iron, but having decent transformers certainly would count for something, along with having some serious voltage to the tubes. The size/form factor of the Firefly makes me think that it doesn't really have much of either...which is where many 'hybrid' amps lose out.

Fer instance, I seem to get a pretty 'authentic' and full tube tone out of my preamp, but all of the transformers are rather compact:

Invalid Link Removed
 
#473
Im just so happy to share stuff like that...

Although the secret genie is now out of the bottle. And you cant put it back...;)

JimmyM said:
Dude, it was largely due to you that I finally got one, so thanks very much! The Basstasters clips are what initially made me interested, but your real world experiences with it are what counts IMHO. Glad you turned us all onto it instead of bogarting all your amazing tone secrets for yourself ;)
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#475
To me, the REDDI is like a piece of classic Vintage gear...not a copy .. but current and no hold barred

If it doesn't have the Iron.. it cant sound like a REDDI. Also it has a Different Tube that the REDDI.. . different PS.. One trick to the REDDI is the HUGE custom wound output transformer.. I cant think of another device that has something like that... except some of the old RCA high voltage tube DIs form the 50s etc..
You might as well keep the countryman or whatever.. The REDDI is a unique PRO audio piece of gear.
Plus. too many controls equals too many options that can lead to who knows..


Ukiah Bass said:
I like the features on this one. If it comes close to the REDDI feel, The Firefly would be far more versatile. It would pair well with Markbass gear.
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#476
BurningSkies said:
I don't agree that it has to be a big 'hunk' of iron, but having decent transformers certainly would count for something, along with having some serious voltage to the tubes. The size/form factor of the Firefly makes me think that it doesn't really have much of either...which is where many 'hybrid' amps lose out.
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Agreed. I am actually reluctant to post because I know this thread is all about a big love fest over the REDDI, so anything else is blasphemy or irrelevant. But if any of you guys got a chance to A/B the REDDI with a really nice small-transformer DI/preamp as I have, you might not be so convinced that "size matters".

Naturally the xformer that Peter chose to put in the REDDI sounds perfect for the desired tone, so for that box it would be reasonable to suggest the xformer "had to be" that size, since it had to be that specific xformer.

The Jensen xformer in the Radial is renowned for being relatively uncolored and having a relatively flat EQ profile; it sounds excellent, in a subtle and barely noticeable way; it's nowhere near the ballpark of some other xformers that do a lot more alteration to the signal. But this has nothing inherently to do with its size!

Examples of "custom-transformer tone" DI/preamps I've used (and personally compared to the REDDI) include:
NICE DI | Phoenix Audio
Direct Box
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

They all sound different, none sound exactly like the REDDI; but they all have amazingly nice tone, especially the TAB-Funkenwerk V71 (IMO). And they use comparatively small xformers, custom-designed for their effect on the tone.

Don't get me wrong, I love the REDDI's tone too, and I'm sure it's every bit the "king of DI'd B15 tone". But please don't get too stuck on the "bigger is better" thought, because you'll miss out on some awesome gear that way.

Re the Firefly, I'm skeptical too. Although it is based around the Radial JDV, which is one of the best class-A DI's on the market right next to the U5, they really don't seem to have done anything great with the tube. I found one magazine review online, and even though it was full of gushing suck-up praise like all magazine reviews, the reviewer actually said the tube sounded kinda crappy when driven noticeably.
 
#477
BurningSkies said:
I don't agree that it has to be a big 'hunk' of iron, but having decent transformers certainly would count for something, along with having some serious voltage to the tubes. The size/form factor of the Firefly makes me think that it doesn't really have much of either...which is where many 'hybrid' amps lose out.

Fer instance, I seem to get a pretty 'authentic' and full tube tone out of my preamp, but all of the transformers are rather compact:

Invalid Link Removed
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At least you have them. That's way better than most. And you're right that it's not just the size but the materials used and how they're wound. But size does matter, and I think using bigger transformers helped a lot to make the REDDI sound as big as the B-15. The Kern sounds quite nice but noticeably different. Oversize transformers are a major reason why Ampeg tube amps pop my buttons more for bass than any other. Just enriches the sound in a really good way. And I think that's a major reason why I like the REDDI better, too. But the Kern does sound tubey, I'll give you that. It benefits from those transformers.
 
#478
bongomania said:
Agreed. I am actually reluctant to post because I know this thread is all about a big love fest over the REDDI, so anything else is blasphemy or irrelevant. But if any of you guys got a chance to A/B the REDDI with a really nice small-transformer DI/preamp as I have, you might not be so convinced that "size matters".

Naturally the xformer that Peter chose to put in the REDDI sounds perfect for the desired tone, so for that box it would be reasonable to suggest the xformer "had to be" that size, since it had to be that specific xformer.

The Jensen xformer in the Radial is renowned for being relatively uncolored and having a relatively flat EQ profile; it sounds excellent, in a subtle and barely noticeable way; it's nowhere near the ballpark of some other xformers that do a lot more alteration to the signal. But this has nothing inherently to do with its size!
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Jensen transformer DI's leave me hanging on the high notes and peter out for balls just when I need them the most. All of them do. It's better than nothing, but there is no comparison whatsoever, Bongo. Sorry.

Examples of "custom-transformer tone" DI/preamps I've used (and personally compared to the REDDI) include:
NICE DI | Phoenix Audio
Direct Box
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

They all sound different, none sound exactly like the REDDI; but they all have amazingly nice tone, especially the TAB-Funkenwerk V71 (IMO). And they use comparatively small xformers, custom-designed for their effect on the tone.
Click to expand...
Again, it's better than not having them.

Don't get me wrong, I love the REDDI's tone too, and I'm sure it's every bit the "king of DI'd B15 tone". But please don't get too stuck on the "bigger is better" thought, because you'll miss out on some awesome gear that way.
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Nah, I'm done ;) You know this was a REDDI lovefest when you first posted, so it's OK to say that I never ever played an Ampeg tube amp that made me wish I had a better tone for the music I was playing, no matter what that music was. I can't say that about any other amps on the market. Therefore I'm by and large done playing gear that doesn't measure up to it. If I absolutely have to, I will, but I've got my amp and DI lines straight with tube Ampegs and the REDDI and I'm good with it, and anything else is accessorizing at this point.
 
#480
Hey guys, girls, ladies and gentleman.

As the thread starter.. I would respectfully like to ask all of you to stay on topic about the REDDI ...
Likes , dislikes, banter, uses.. photos , gig talk..other gear that gets used along with it ... etc..

And I ask you to not hijack the thread with other brands of gear, unless there is a direct comparison , of which there is not with the mass produced yellow thing..:D:rollno:

If you want to advertise another type of gear. please start a different thread.

This is the REDDI thread.

Thank you kindly
Kirk
 
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