Simple DI box for active bass?

[Just Wrong]

Hello all. I’m looking for a simple DI box for live use with my active bass. Less is more — no EQ, simple power requirements, etc.

The JDI seems to fit the bill perfectly. But what else is out there?

 

[GotGroove]

I have a Radial StageBug 2. No tone colouring that I can tell. Passive, small, metal casing and affordable. 1 through output should you need one and a -15 dB pad button. It's all I need from a DI box, regardless of which bass (active, passive, fretless or electric upright) or any pedals I might bring along.

 

[Zbysek]

Radial Proto DI

 

[bassbrad]

Pedalnetics DIm Stick is excellent sounding and quality build at a very affordable price. Equal in every way to the JDI.

 

[Lo-E]

The JDI is an excellent choice.

The Countryman Type 85, while not specifically for active instruments, is an industry standard for close to 50 years.

Whirlwind makes the HotBox which specs out a little differently than the Countryman but, in use, is pretty similar and less expensive.

A DI doesn’t need to be anything fancy.

 

[g-dude]

Behringer Ultra DI is cheap and frill-free.

 

[Jerry Catanescu]

You have an active bass. Can't you simply plug it into the board without a DI? You might just need a 1/4" to XLR cable.

 

[projectapollo]

I use the Radial Stage Bug 1 and Neve RNDI-M. Both require Phantom power from the XLR connection but that has never been a problem.

 

[DWBass]

Pro-Co DB-1, RapcoHorizon DBBlox or Behringer Ultra DI. Can't get any more basic than that.

 

[Sparkl]

I use a Palmer PAN 04A and it works perfect, sturdy, and trouble free.

 

[Just Wrong]

You have an active bass. Can't you simply plug it into the board without a DI? You might just need a 1/4" to XLR cable.

Is that so? I was under the impression I still needed a DI?

 

[Wasnex]

You have an active bass. Can't you simply plug it into the board without a DI? You might just need a 1/4" to XLR cable.

Not a great way to do it. Bass is high Z, unbalanced, instrument level. The mic input is low Z, balanced, mic level.

You could use a Shure A95U line matching transformer.


There are other cheaper line matching transformers, but AFAIK none of them have male XLR like the A95U.

 

[bigmikebass]

Anyone try the pinstripe pedals LWDI?
It’s a passive Jensen DI in a small footprint.

 

[Just Wrong]

Anyone try the pinstripe pedals LWDI?
It’s a passive Jensen DI in a small footprint.

I’ve seen one of those on someone’s board recently… Ian Martin Allison, I think?

 

[TheArchitect]

Hello all. I’m looking for a simple DI box for live use with my active bass. Less is more — no EQ, simple power requirements, etc.

The JDI seems to fit the bill perfectly. But what else is out there?

The JDI and the BAE are the only two I would consider in traditional, straight forward DI boxes.

 

[TonyP-]

RNDI

 

[dreamadream99]

The Countryman Type 85, while not specifically for active instruments, is an industry standard for close to 50 years.

I’ll second the Countryman type 85

 

[TheArchitect]

Not a great way to do it. Bass is high Z, unbalanced, instrument level. The mic input is low Z, balanced, mic level.

You could use a Shure A95U line matching transformer.


There are other cheaper line matching transformers, but AFAIK none of them have male XLR like the A95U.

An active bass is typically not Hi Z. Instrument and Mic level are not terribly different. Line level would be another matter

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I am mostly using a Genzler Magellan PRE/DI pedal, but also have a Radial ProDI. It doesn't get much simpler than that.

 

[prndltech]

Hard to go wrong with a radial JDI, countryman 85, pinstripe or walrus audio canvas. All great DI’s that don’t require phantom power!