The best DI box for bass

[TonyP-]

Here you go:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f43/khan-di-1030990/

Including sound samples.

Thanks for sharing...As a self admitting DI dork I love hearing the A/B-ing.
I think the DI is something that a lot folks overlook not realizing the impact it actually has.

 

[Steve Dallman]

The statement that an active DI is a preamp is not correct. A passive DI has a limited input impedance, usually somewhere between 10k and 50k ohms. This is low for a passive instrument, and will load down the pickup, causing a loss of highs, complexity, clarity and probably level. A passive DI, placed between a passive bass and an amp can seriously affect the tone of the amp as well due to the loading.

An active DI will place an input buffer between the input and balancing transformer. It will usually have an input impedance of 1meg or higher...perhaps 5-10meg ohms. The buffer is usually unity gain or slightly less, but will pass a passive instrument transparently, maintaining the full frequency response of a passive instrument, and doesn't load down the signal if placed between the bass and amp.

If you have a low impedance out, active bass, or put the DI after a low impedance out pedal, the low impedance out will isolate the signal from the loading effects of the passive DI.

"Active" in a DI just creates a high input impedance and does not necessarily increase gain. It just protects against frequency and level loss.

 

[garmenteros]

I made a thread about a DI shooutout I did earlier in the year...

Here: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/di-shootout-ampeg-svt450-ampeg-svtdi-radial-jdi-997979/

If you're too lazy to click on the link here goes:

I decided to record and do a side by side comparison of both of my DIs (radial jdi and ampeg svtdi) as well as the built in DI on the ampeg svt450 which has been my go to amp for my last 4 gigs.

My favorite was the svtdi (warmest sounding) followed by a close second by the radial. The di on the svt450 isn't bad, but it sounded thin to my ears no matter how I set the amps EQ.

heres a clip (some punk ska) for the TB community and the specs:

Ibanez Precision strung with rotosound 77 flats. Focusrite saffire 6 interphase. Clip I: Ampeg SVT 450 amp built in DI (slight treble and bass boost), Clip 2: Radial JDI, Clip 3: AMPEG SVTDI tube injection box. No EQ was added to any of the clips, just slight compression (focusrite compressor plugin).

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[James Simonson]

Off topic here:

Just to make good regarding Ampeg DI problems. The DI on my SVT 4pro has been fixed (or updated you could say) A mod from fellow TB'r Jerrold Tiers fixes the buzz by means of a jumper and a wire reroute. The update was direct from Ampeg.

 

[Munjibunga]

They sound much different when you add several hunderd feet of cable.

That would be unusual, at least for me.

 

[ThisBass]

I am wondering what you guys all use for an DI box if you use one? One of the churches I play at just went to all in ear, no stage sound. Right now they have we plunged into a generic DI box and I feel my bass sound is horrible and I am sure its amplified using in ear too. I have been using Ampeg for live stuff if that helps any. Suggestions or comments welcome.

Thanks Justin

Best DI depends on your needs.
If the needs are unknown there can't exist a best DI that fits your needs.

To my needs a passive DI fits best. I like to knock the valve power amp sound of my SVT onto the PA support. Any active driven DI means nothing to me.

 

[JGR]

I'll throw this bad boy into the ring!

 

[Matt R]

I'll throw this bad boy into the ring!

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p252/jonathangreiner/0325B1BC-70A9-41B5-86D3-5E0A943B0FFB.jpg

That looks GREAT! What is that?

 

[ThisBass]

I'll throw this bad boy into the ring!

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p252/jonathangreiner/0325B1BC-70A9-41B5-86D3-5E0A943B0FFB.jpg

Indeed that looks GREAT! But something like that would never fit my needs.

 

[ThisBass]

The statement that an active DI is a preamp is not correct. A passive DI has a limited input impedance, usually somewhere between 10k and 50k ohms. This is low for a passive instrument, and will load down the pickup, causing a loss of highs, complexity, clarity and probably level. A passive DI, placed between a passive bass and an amp can seriously affect the tone of the amp as well due to the loading.

An active DI will place an input buffer between the input and balancing transformer. It will usually have an input impedance of 1meg or higher...perhaps 5-10meg ohms. The buffer is usually unity gain or slightly less, but will pass a passive instrument transparently, maintaining the full frequency response of a passive instrument, and doesn't load down the signal if placed between the bass and amp.

If you have a low impedance out, active bass, or put the DI after a low impedance out pedal, the low impedance out will isolate the signal from the loading effects of the passive DI.

"Active" in a DI just creates a high input impedance and does not necessarily increase gain. It just protects against frequency and level loss.

The question of active or passive it all depends on your personal needs.
You can't feed a 300 Watt power amp output signal into any active DI.

 

[Humbled]

That looks GREAT! What is that?

I'd have to see what it sounds like... ...or hear what it looks like.

 

[ThisBass]

If there is something out there on the market like a best DI so it must not change anything in sound reinforcement.

 

[ThisBass]

I'd have to see what it sounds like... ...or hear what it looks like.

A well designed DI does not make sound at all. A well designed DI provides a maximum of signal to noise ratio by a minimum of THD which means linear and nonlinear distortion.
So a well designed DI does make NO SOUND,

 

[JGR]

That looks GREAT! What is that?

It's my 6SL7 preamp/DI that I affectionately call the "Box-O-Tone".

Here's a clip:



Guts:

One NOS 6SL7, one 12au7, Jensen transformer, high voltage. Balanced and unbalanced outs.

 

[Jeff Bonny]

It's my 6SL7 preamp/DI that I affectionately call the "Box-O-Tone".

Here's a clip:



Guts:

One NOS 6SL7, one 12au7, Jensen transformer, high voltage. Balanced and unbalanced outs.

Very cool.

 

[ThisBass]

It's my 6SL7 preamp/DI that I affectionately call the "Box-O-Tone".

Here's a clip:



Guts:

One NOS 6SL7, one 12au7, Jensen transformer, high voltage. Balanced and unbalanced outs.

Looks rather like a preamp but not DI.
Sometime some folks forget that a DI job is not intended to replace a preamp job.

 

[Jeff Bonny]

Actually it has some similarities to a REDDI which is very much a DI and very much not a preamp.
Invalid Link Removed

 

[ThisBass]

Sorry but I can't imagine to link a DI like that between a SVP Pro or SVT pre into a signal path which drives a mixing console.

A well designed DI does not make sound at all. A well designed DI provides a maximum of signal to noise ratio by a minimum of THD which means linear and nonlinear distortion.
So a well designed DI does make NO SOUND,

 

[JGR]

Looks rather like a preamp but not DI.
Sometime some folks forget that a DI job is not intended to replace a preamp job.

I didn't forget anything... except maybe a "thru" jack... it can work as a preamp because there is sufficient level available to drive a power amp, but with a lack of tone controls, I'd say it's more DI than preamp if we really need to decide, but we don't. I shot a demo running it into my amps and cabs because I don't have a PA in my basement.

 

[ThisBass]

I didn't forget anything... except maybe a "thru" jack... it can work as a preamp because there is sufficient level available to drive a power amp, but with a lack of tone controls, I'd say it's more DI than preamp if we really need to decide, but we don't. I shot a demo running it into my amps and cabs because I don't have a PA in my basement.

As I told above the question for a best DI very depends on personal needs.