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REDDI Tube DI Mega Thread . Potential megathread that is.

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#841
I did the first gig with the REDDI last night. Since I was not FOH, I can't comment on the tone out front. However, I can comment on my IEM mix. The REDDI was different than ANY DI I have ever used. I've been using a Cable Factory DI Pro for many years. To me, it gave me the most even smooth bass tone for my IEM mix. I respectfully disagree with others here, and say the REDDI DID change the sound of my bass. My Sadowsky M5-24 is a very mid forward, glassy top end instrument. (perfect example: )
What I like most about the bass tone seemed to disappear in my mix. No longer did the notes have that jump out feel to them. They were now replaced by a softer edge tone that lacked that bark. I became more concerned as the set went on. I thought I no longer could feel the center of my notes. After the set, the drummer commented how fat everything was. For the first time, EVERY note had body to it. Hearing that, I went to work on the EQ for for my mix. While I needed a bunch to make up for what was lacking before, it was apparent, the boost in the low end was no longer needed. I wiped most of the eq from my mix and, stated flat. Set two went much better. I could hear the focus of the bass much better, but still it seemed like a different instrument than I was used to hearing. (See Jimmy's vt- Reddi thread clips for what I'm describing) By the end of the night, I was really enjoying what I was hearing. It was a not a seamless transition. I've been used to hearing things one way in my IEM's, for years. This was going to take some time. As with anything in sound/tone it is subjective. Standard DI vs REDDI, is not a one is better than the other thing. There is no one size fits all thing in this dept.
Now on to the REDDI itself. As everyone here has stated, the bulid, design, and quality are first class all the way. To me nothing other than a 100% tube amp has sounded like this. Although I haven't owned one in years, this is the sound I remember. I would characterize it as thick. I don't mean boomy or bassy either. The notes just have a depth to them, that can't be replicated with a tone control or eq, at least none I'm aware of. Tonight if the stars and the USPS align, I'll be able to try a NOS. I really liked the difference I heard in Jimmy's clips compared to the Sovtek. More to follow....
 
#842
Great review, especially since you use IEM's. I don't hear it quite as drastic a change as you, but you mention perspective, and mine is clearly tubes while yours as been SS for a while, so I imagine that would account for why we have different perspectives. It gets easier, though.
 
#843
Hi Jerry,

I was so glad to hear you took the EQ out.

Yes, like Jimmy said, SS v Tubes ......there IS a DIFFERENCE!

Wait until you do a recording and hear how it sits in a mix.
I just came back from hearing a mastered mix with a bunch of our gear and the first thing the Engineer told me was NO EQ on the Bass.
Of course Reggie was playing (which helps a lot ;>)) BUT the sound just knocked me out.
I will ask and see if I can place a tracking up...........don't know if they'll let me cause it has not been released yet.
They are still waiting for Stevie Wonder to do some tracking.

AS soon as I get the ok I will post.

Thanks for taking time to write about your experience with the REDDI.

Best,
Peter
 
#846
My experience was the same as Jerry's since I use IEM's 99% of the time these days, but unlike most who are saying "it's the Tubes!" (only one of them in the REDDI), my experience is that it's the EQ that is baked into the REDDI. I've used many high quality DI's with tubes that are much more expensive than the REDDI that didn't have that thick, slightly dark tone, nor did they have that same heft. A tube doesn't automatically do that to your tone. The Millenia TD-1 for example is ultra clean and hi-fi sounding. It has warmth and presence, and the notes aren't nearly as hefty as the REDDI. Another is the Avalon 737sp. I could go on and on with examples. I think what makes people love the REDDI so much is the EQ that is baked in, which no doubt the tube and transformers all play a roll in. It definitely reacts well to one's playing.
 
#847
Jason, the reason I would disagree with that is because I've used plenty of different stuff on my gigs, and changing the EQ on the REDDI doesn't change my opinion of its overall sound whatsoever.

And of course a tube won't do all that to your tone...plenty of single tube devices don't. But it also has an output transformer, which for my money is as important as tubes.
 
#849
I did another gig with the REDDI last night. PA support for us is kinda rare, so it's usually my rig carrying the bass. The place we played was a tiny little dive bar with a killer soundsystem and 2 very good sound guys.

I plugged my Sadowsky PJ5 straight in the REDDI and enjoyed a killer tone all night. My band (and myself) got many compliments throughout the night on how great we sounded. I was full, thick, heavy, fat, etc, etc, etc...

Not really a news flash to anybody that uses this on a regular basis, but just another happy user :)
 
#851
JimmyM said:
Jason, the reason I would disagree with that is because I've used plenty of different stuff on my gigs, and changing the EQ on the REDDI doesn't change my opinion of its overall sound whatsoever.

And of course a tube won't do all that to your tone...plenty of single tube devices don't. But it also has an output transformer, which for my money is as important as tubes.
Click to expand...

The iron does it. You can change tubes and modify the circuit but without good iron . . . Transformers are almost an art. I would love to hear an impression of an output trans with the secondary in silver in one of your amps. There really is a boost to sound with the silver as well as cost.

Invalid Link Removed is who I have used and he knows his art.
 
#853
I had some fun today with my REDDI w/ the NOS tube in it. This is my Roscoe Century Signature V with Nordstrand electronics & TI jazz flats. I'm over the moon about the recorded tone!! Thank you, REDDI!!

Jimmy Haslip did a clinic at our store a couple weeks ago, and he spent some time talking about how he creates some variety and spice in a bass solo over a 1-chord vamp. He took a solo like this on the latest Yellowjackets album (a tune called "Why Is It"), and it's just a vamp in D minor. He says he wasn't conscious of doing it while recording the solo, but when he went back and analyzed his solo he had used all of these scales.

HASLIP-VAMP-SCALES-LG.jpg


I don't know all those scales. :rollno::D LOL. So I did it today using just two that I know pretty well: the blue scales and the diminished scale.
Invalid Link Removed

If you want to give it a try, here are the backing tracks with my fills removed.
Invalid Link Removed
 
#857
RocketMusic said:
I had some fun today with my REDDI w/ the NOS tube in it. This is my Roscoe Century Signature V with Nordstrand electronics & TI jazz flats. I'm over the moon about the recorded tone!! Thank you, REDDI!!

Jimmy Haslip did a clinic at our store a couple weeks ago, and he spent some time talking about how he creates some variety and spice in a bass solo over a 1-chord vamp. He took a solo like this on the latest Yellowjackets album (a tune called "Why Is It"), and it's just a vamp in D minor. He says he wasn't conscious of doing it while recording the solo, but when he went back and analyzed his solo he had used all of these scales.

HASLIP-VAMP-SCALES-LG.jpg


I don't know all those scales. :rollno::D LOL. So I did it today using just two that I know pretty well: the blue scales and the diminished scale.
Invalid Link Removed

If you want to give it a try, here are the backing tracks with my fills removed.
Invalid Link Removed
Click to expand...

Greg!

I just read your post LOL :D
 
#858
jamato8 said:
The iron does it. You can change tubes and modify the circuit but without good iron . . . Transformers are almost an art. I would love to hear an impression of an output trans with the secondary in silver in one of your amps. There really is a boost to sound with the silver as well as cost.

Invalid Link Removed is who I have used and he knows his art.
Click to expand...


Hi jamato8,

No disrespect but Transformers like the ones EP and Cinemag and Jensen make ARE an art!

We use Cinemag all hand wound steel and to watch them complete a transformer always impresses me.

I do have to ask you something...............

The only 2 metals I know of that we use in ALL our output transformers are Nickel and or Steel or a combo of both with different ratios depending on the sound you want to have.

The one for the REDDI was custom made by Tom @ Cinemag when he was alive.
We did try different windings and metal and combos of both with different ratios. But the one that sounded best to me was the steel and Tom got a little more bottom end without giving up anything at the top.

Cinemag still makes all our transformers but it's Dave who now owns and runs the operation today.
Dave was the guy who worked with Tom's Dad before Tom came into the biz so he is light years on top of his game with transformers.
So I will ask him about using Silver wire for windings :cool:

Thanks,
 
#859
hey guys thanks for the read and info.

here is a youtube live recording with the reddi with john's nos tube. i did have a compressor and eq pedal before the di. only did this cause its a dub tone.

the whole band was sent to the mixing desk then a stereo track sent to the soundcard. all production was done live at the mixing desk...warts and all.

its probably a bit low in the mix for my likings but it was live so whatever.

Invalid Link Removed

i really like the reddi thanks peter. happy with john's tube also.

btw i think the sovtek tube is a fine choice also. i could have used either tube and been happy with the results.

thanks pat:hyper:
 
#860
Nice :) I enjoyed it, though it's not the style of music I usually listen to.
You're a bit low for my likings also, but the tone works perfectly with the music.
And when we get the chance to see you, we also get a glimpse of your Bassman Blackface ;)
 
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