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Shocked by DI. Figuratively.

Spent

Spent

May 15, 2011
2,164
2,982
Upstate NY
waywardminds.band
#1
I mostly play through a Demeter vtbp201s live, so I use the built in jensen transformer. I recently bought a Radial prodi to have one just in case. I also have a pyle-pro pdc21 I acquired years ago. I usually practice through my markbass cmd102p at home, but decided to play through the radial just for fun. I plugged it into my mackie 402-vlz3, that I run into a pair of KRK Rokit 6 and a 10" sub. I then a/b'd the pyle-pro and radial and to my surprise the pyle-pro sounded better. And not just a little bit. Even my wife, who is a non musician and essentially tone deaf, thought it sounded better. I really wanted the radial to sound better, but the pyle-pro was so much more dynamic. I don't know how they would compare through a full pa, but for the last few days I've been practicing with the pyle-pro only. The transformer can't be that good, it's not shielded and the whole di costs less than the tax on the radial. I also ran the bass straight in just to be sure that the pyle-pro was doing something and it definitely was. I'm planning on using it at the next gig to see if it does sound better live.
 
#6
Roadkill said:
I suspect what the OP is hearing is transformer saturation and/or low end roll-off and/or serendipitous pickup loading - although I've not messed about with one enough to know. I usually just plug something in and if it sounds good don't overthink it ;) .
Click to expand...
I was thinking that the Radial may saturate before the Pyle does. I feel the same way about "over thinking," if it sounds good I use it. I've also found that many things sound radically different at different volumes. I was disappointed with my Aerodyne at home, but absolutely love it live. As far as the Radial vs Pyle goes, it's the same for both my Aerodyne and Spector, which is active, so pickup loading isn't the issue. I don't detect any roll off either.
 
#7
Seriously, did no one catch that the OP stated he bought a Radial Pro DI, which does NOT have the Jensen transformer, but a cheaper version? And I can easily tell a difference between the JDI and the Pro2.

The JDI is worth the price. The Pro2, in my opinion, is not.
 

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