Sonic Farm Je-DI Pentode Tube direct box....

[JimmyM]

I have done recordings of my 64 B-15N head speaker DI'd vs. the REDDI. Once I got the tones matched, the only way I could tell the difference was that the B-15 had slightly more noise. Other than that, forget about it...dead nuts match, with one caveat...the REDDI only does clean. Which is all I need in a DI, so that's cool.

 

[4to5to6]

I have done recordings of my 64 B-15N head speaker DI'd vs. the REDDI.

Thanks JimmyM. Is that the usual way of recording a B15? Are you saying you connect the speaker out through a DI or do you mic the cab... say with a good mic like a U47FET, RE20, M421-N, SM7B, D112 etc.?

I already have an Avalon U5 DI and it takes a speaker input as well as an instrument input, not sure about the 2di4 or REDDI but suspect they won't. Unfortunately I find the Avalon U5 very sterile sounding. It's awesome if you plan to reamp or use software modeling later. Also, 48V phantom power will damage the U5 and I don't trust soundmen NOT to push that little red button when my $800 DI is at risk! The Avalon is no good as a live DI for both these reasons... For live performing, I currently use a JDI (sorry Cameron) which will handle the low B but sounds nothing like putting a mic in front of my amp. These are the reasons why I'm currently searching for a tube DI. Not sure about the Sonic Farms with phantom power but 48V on the REDDI output will distort it's output but not damage it (I phoned REDDI designer Peter Montessi specifically about this).

More to consider when deciding on the Sonic Farms tube DI. I think it's time I phoned Sonic Farms.

Anyone ever compare a Sonic Farms to a vintage fliptop under similar conditions?

 

[JimmyM]

Thanks JimmyM. Is that the usual way of recording a B15? Are you saying you connect the speaker out through a DI or do you mic the cab... say with a good mic like a U47FET, RE20, M421-N, SM7B, D112 etc.?7

The most done way of recording a B-15 is to slap a mic in front of it. I hate the kick drum mics on it but I love mics like the RE20 and 421. I was using a Heil PR40 most of the time when I was micing cabs.

However, I was talking about taking a DI like the Countryman Type 85 (a JDI will do it as well), and taking the speaker out and plugging it into the DI, then out to a cab or dummy load. It's not as commonly used as the mic but it's been done plenty. I've seen pictures of B-15's at studios in the 60's where they'd bolt a DI with a switchable dummy load onto the side of the B-15 and run the speaker out through it. And that's what I was comparing to the REDDI, and it's why the REDDI's really the only DI that I truly love.

Sent you a PM...hope you don't mind.

 

[Bassflute]

I currently have the Reddi and the Sonic Farm at my place and am A/Bing them constantly. With the Sonic Farm set flat, in triode mode, I cannot tell the difference, either through an 8" set of Adam monitors through a Neve board, through Akg studio headphones, or through my PA. With the Sonic Farm in Pentode mode, I'm sorry, I like the sound BETTER than the Reddi. Hot, tubey, fantastic, and then you can kick in bass boost and treble boost, as well as lots of other stuff. It's not the the Reddi is BAD, it's an amazing piece of kit, and is probably the industry standard bass DI; the Sonic Farm can do that sound to within a few percentage points, and a whole lot MORE that it can't do. Another WONDERFUL piece of kit. A d BTW, the headroom on the Sonic Farm unit is PHENOMENAL in pentode mode. I will demonstrate that on the videos and in the audio clips.

Wonderful stuff.

http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/CameronHood/media/image_zps37d92083.jpg.html

http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/CameronHood/media/image_zps575c90cc.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1

Cheers,
Cameron

 

[4to5to6]

Thanks Cameron... Please email me the sound clips... MTD 635 and also an old Fender P or Jazz please. I've been waiting for the HST to go away on April 1st then will order either one or the other. Tough decision... I hear you when you say the Sonic Farm has more flexibility but I really love that REDDI B15 sound. I guess it comes down to Voltage (Je-DI) versus iron (REDDI)!

 

[JimmyM]

Would like to hear your clips, Cam.

 

[svtb15]

+1 to the RE20.. That and a Neuman U47 or 87 are the only things i like for bass amp micing.. I hate those D12 or 13 whatever or whatever Kickdrum mics on bass...I hate them so much i dont even remember the proper name.. HA
REDDI sounds GREAT Clear huge FAT, Clear, Tight yet HUGE booty.. I never played the Sonic farm though... I just like the Simplicity of the reddi.. yeah Im a fanboy of the reddi... sorry folks

The most done way of recording a B-15 is to slap a mic in front of it. I hate the kick drum mics on it but I love mics like the RE20 and 421. I was using a Heil PR40 most of the time when I was micing cabs.

However, I was talking about taking a DI like the Countryman Type 85 (a JDI will do it as well), and taking the speaker out and plugging it into the DI, then out to a cab or dummy load. It's not as commonly used as the mic but it's been done plenty. I've seen pictures of B-15's at studios in the 60's where they'd bolt a DI with a switchable dummy load onto the side of the B-15 and run the speaker out through it. And that's what I was comparing to the REDDI, and it's why the REDDI's really the only DI that I truly love.

Sent you a PM...hope you don't mind.

 

[svtb15]

+1 and
+1.
And did i say +1

It annoys me that Radial would do that... Ill Support the small guy like Sonic Farm or REDDI (A-Design ) before i would ever buy a Radial product.. I have tried the Radial DI and frankly my 35 year old Countryman sounded better.. IMHO

Wow, why would Radial do something like that? That's pretty pathetic. JDI and Je-DI are differently named enough to where there's no copyright infringement. If anything, Lucasfilms has the lawsuit, not Radial.

Um...oopsie

 

[Bassflute]

...if you don't believe me, maybe you'll believe Tom Bowlus and the boys.

Redemption is nigh...

This thing rocks, everyone. As good as I said it is, and better!

Cheers,
Cameron

 

[4to5to6]

Bass drum mics usually sound really bad on bass cabs as they are really scooped. That said... I noticed that when Tal wilkenfeld made her big debut with Jeff Beck at the Crossroads Festival years ago they used a D112 on her EBS stack and an Avalon U5 DI on top. Her bass tone sounds great on the DVD so maybe these two compliment each other?!? The U5 is usually very sterile so maybe D112 fills it out.

I finally received a REDDI about a year ago and use it all the time for recording and live. I've had nothing but compliments on the tone. The one complaint producers have made to me about the REDDI is the laser beam blue LED on the front. I cover it with tape now.

+1 to the RE20.. That and a Neuman U47 or 87 are the only things i like for bass amp micing.. I hate those D12 or 13 whatever or whatever Kickdrum mics on bass...I hate them so much i dont even remember the proper name.. HA
REDDI sounds GREAT Clear huge FAT, Clear, Tight yet HUGE booty.. I never played the Sonic farm though... I just like the Simplicity of the reddi.. yeah Im a fanboy of the reddi... sorry folks

 

[tombowlus]

...if you don't believe me, maybe you'll believe Tom Bowlus and the boys.

Redemption is nigh...

This thing rocks, everyone. As good as I said it is, and better!

Cheers,
Cameron

The free online digital version of Bass Gear Magazine #14 (and the free apps) are now live. Link Removed. Wow, that is one helluva box!

 

[4to5to6]

The free online digital version of Bass Gear Magazine #14 (and the free apps) are now live. Link Removed. Wow, that is one helluva box!

Wow! Great review. Very informative.

One thing it didn't get into... How does the sonic Farm 2di4 handle distortion pedals?

Other than the problems of hum and ground loops sometimes being introduced with a DI box, the reason I would choose to mic a cab over using a DI is to capture that bit of tube grit that helps the bass cut through the mix. Here's a short YouTube video that demonstrates how it is done in the studio using a parrallel channel with distortion:

This is fine for the studio and why the ultra clean, almost sterile, Avalon U5 is so popular but what about using a DI for playing live? I love the sound of an Ampeg V4B slightly driven into saturation. I also prefer the EBS Fafner with its unique tube distortion circuit. I will also sometimes use Aguilar's AGRO rack distortion with my DB750 for the same reason. I find the REDDI DI works really well live as it emulates the transformer distortion of one of the best studio amps, the Ampeg B15. I find the REDDI also work's really well with distortion effects such as the AGRO or a SansAmp as long as I roll off above 5 kHz.

I will sometimes use the REDDI in the studio of course as it just sounds so good all by itself much like a miced B15 does but without the humming and buzzing. I would probably generally usually use the Avalon U5 for ultra clean studio work and a REDDI DI for live work.

How does the 2di4 sound with distortion pedals?

I guess I am wondering if the 2di4 could do both? Is the 2di4 best for live or studio work? A couple of other factors to consider... the REDDI is ultra simple with just a gain control making it great for consistent live results. The Avalon U5 also has the extra tone circuit which is really nice in the studio and the U5 also has a speaker input so you can capture your amp's output sound. The downside of the Avalon U5 is phantom power applied will seriously damage it.

I guess I have two questions really... how does the 2di4 handle distortion effects pedals and where does it really fit in as a DI with the vastly different requirements of live and studio work?

Thanks.

 

[svtb15]

I liked that video.. In my home studio rig i usually clone my Bass track to another Chanel , ad grit to it then mix the two together .. But I see in the video , he uses a separate Buss...
Is one way better than the other?
So far i have not had any complaints.. But if one is better or easier Im all ears.
I always use my REDDI and at times a B18 mic'd,,,

Wow! Great review. Very informative.

One thing it didn't get into... How does the sonic Farm 2di4 handle distortion pedals?

Other than the problems of hum and ground loops sometimes being introduced with a DI box, the reason I would choose to mic a cab over using a DI is to capture that bit of tube grit that helps the bass cut through the mix. Here's a short YouTube video that demonstrates how it is done in the studio using a parrallel channel with distortion:

This is fine for the studio and why the ultra clean, almost sterile, Avalon U5 is so popular but what about using a DI for playing live? I love the sound of an Ampeg V4B slightly driven into saturation. I also prefer the EBS Fafner with its unique tube distortion circuit. I will also sometimes use Aguilar's AGRO rack distortion with my DB750 for the same reason. I find the REDDI DI works really well live as it emulates the transformer distortion of one of the best studio amps, the Ampeg B15. I find the REDDI also work's really well with distortion effects such as the AGRO or a SansAmp as long as I roll off above 5 kHz.

I will sometimes use the REDDI in the studio of course as it just sounds so good all by itself much like a miced B15 does but without the humming and buzzing. I would probably generally usually use the Avalon U5 for ultra clean studio work and a REDDI DI for live work.

How does the 2di4 sound with distortion pedals?

I guess I am wondering if the 2di4 could do both? Is the 2di4 best for live or studio work? A couple of other factors to consider... the REDDI is ultra simple with just a gain control making it great for consistent live results. The Avalon U5 also has the extra tone circuit which is really nice in the studio and the U5 also has a speaker input so you can capture your amp's output sound. The downside of the Avalon U5 is phantom power applied will seriously damage it.

I guess I have two questions really... how does the 2di4 handle distortion effects pedals and where does it really fit in as a DI with the vastly different requirements of live and studio work?

Thanks.