Simple DI box for active bass?

[Wasnex]

I guess it depends how picky you are, but IME using a DI or Shure A95U will typically work better than a 1/4" TS to XLR hardwired adapter.

An active bass is typically not Hi Z.

While an active bass is not necessarily high Z...it is designed to be plugged into a high Z input. The idea is the input impedance of a preamp is normally expected to be at least 10 times higher than the output impedance of the instrument. So plugging an active bass directly into a mic input may degrade the signal a bit. Also, using a transformer to convert the signal from unbalanced to balanced will have better noise rejection than a hardwire adapter as well.

Instrument and Mic level are not terribly different.

I am sure most mic inputs can handle instrument level as long as they have an input pad. If they do not have an input pad, instrument level may overload the head amp. If a mic input does have an input pad, you may wind up in a gain range that is noisy.

 

[mikeswals]

I've had my Radial DI for many years now, works great anytime I need to use it.

 

[-Stingray]

JDI

/endthread

 

[2strings2frets]

I’ve used a Berhringer BDI 21 with an I spot power supply for many years. $29.00 at MF right now,no muss,no fuss.

 

[InhumanResource]

Behringer Ultra DI is cheap and frill-free.

Got two of these in case someone needs a spare on a gig. Been using them for years and they do the job nicely.

 

[SB300]

I might be missing something, but with an active bass it seems to me you still want the benefits of an amp or amp simulator, like gain and speaker simulation?

 

[tb-player]

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

Anything Pinstripe is legit. I use their DISO with my HX Stomp. It's a killer pedal.

 

[Just Wrong]

I might be missing something, but with an active bass it seems to me you still want the benefits of an amp or amp simulator, like gain and speaker simulation?

Maybe, although not necessarily. I have extra EQ and saturation from the H90 if I want it, but it doesn’t have a DI.

I specified an active bass because I’ve read there’s a “rule” that says active bass passive DI, passive bass active DI.

Rules are meant to be broken, though.

 

[prndltech]

Maybe, although necessarily. I have extra EQ and saturation from the H90 if I want it, but it doesn’t have a DI.

I specified an active bass because I’ve read there’s a “rule” that says active bass passive DI, passive bass active DI.

Rules are meant to be broken, though.

To go from a multi fx pedal, I would pick the pinstripe of walrus canvas with a line isolator option. Or if you want a DI box that needs power, maybe something like the khan vtdi?

I use a canvas mono DI or the khan vtdi myself.

 

[edwinhurwitz]

My current favorite is the Grace Design M103.

 

[Just Wrong]

To go from a multi fx pedal, I would pick the pinstripe of walrus canvas with a line isolator option. Or if you want a DI box that needs power, maybe something like the khan vtdi?

I use a canvas mono DI or the khan vtdi myself.

What’s a line isolator? Does the JDI have it?

 

[prndltech]

What’s a line isolator? Does the JDI have it?

No, the JDI does not. A normal DI usually steps the impedance/signal down quite a bit, whereas a line level isolator does not. The line isolator preserves the original level, therefore you get all the dynamics/nuances and all the goodies you dial in on the modeler, exactly how you hear it at home.

There’s more to it, but that’s my very basic understanding and since it is a DI/LI via a switch on my walrus canvas, I can tell you there’s a huge difference switching between the 2. Also, it can protect you from phantom power if you accidentally plug in and it’s turned on at the board (not unique to a line isolator, just one reason why I like to have something in between). I use it after the hx stomp (when I use it)

 

[akukulich]

Get the JDI. You won’t regret it.

 

[Wasnex]

A normal DI usually steps the impedance/signal down quite a bit, whereas a line level isolator does not.

I believe an important facet you may have missed is a Line Isolator is for a line level signals. You input line level and it sends line level to the mixer. This is useful for something like an amp, modeler that has line level outputs. A caveat is you mixer need to be able to handle the line level signal.

With a DI, you normally input instrument level and it sends mic level to the mixer. If you input line level, you will most likely engage a pad, and the DI still sends mic level.

 

[Just Wrong]

I believe an important facet you may have missed is a Line Isolator is for a line level signals. You input line level and it sends line level to the mixer. This is useful for something like an amp, modeler that has line level outputs. A caveat is you mixer need to be able to handle the line level signal.

With a DI, you normally input instrument level and it sends mic level to the mixer. If you input line level, you will most likely engage a pad, and the DI still sends mic level.

… so you’re saying a LI is unnecessary?

 

[prndltech]

I believe an important facet you may have missed is a Line Isolator is for a line level signals. You input line level and it sends line level to the mixer. This is useful for something like an amp, modeler that has line level outputs. A caveat is you mixer need to be able to handle the line level signal.

With a DI, you normally input instrument level and it sends mic level to the mixer. If you input line level, you will most likely engage a pad, and the DI still sends mic level.

I’m sure there’s more I missed!

I only play out ampless with IEM’s these days and all my guitar playing buddies and sound guys got me on the line isolator after modelers thing. Most of the time I’m using my quad cortex so I don’t even need a DI box much anymore.

 

[Azari]

OnStage DB500

 

[Wasnex]

… so you’re saying a LI is unnecessary?

A line isolator could be useful in certain circumstances. But it's not the right tool if you just want to plug your bass into the PA.

 

[Wasnex]

I’m sure there’s more I missed!

Another potentially useful difference. Most line isolators have a balanced input. This is useful for devices with 1/4" TRS balanced outputs. I believe there are exceptions. For example the product page for the Walrus Audio Canvas suggests the input is1/4" TS (unbalanced).

I am not aware of any DIs that accept balanced.

 

[pbass2]

JDI FTW!