The best single pedal sized DI

[TonyP-]

It’s a little bigger than a pedal.
But for just a true DI, the RNDI is my personal favorite.

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

I am running out of room on my pedal board, and the Messenger DI is taking up a lot of space. I have an RFE before it (and a Super Stack before that), so I am not using the EQ and filters on the Messenger. I am pretty new to pedal world, and I think I’d like a single pedal sized DI to put at the end of the board/chain. I came across the Walrus one which looks interesting. Curious if anyone had suggestions?

This is for live use and not studio recording

MXR M81 Bass Preamp Pedal is the right size, and works/sounds great. I've never had a reason to replace it. ​

 

[bassbrad]

+1 for the Pedalnetics DIm Stick because it has all the needed features for a passive DI, sounds great, easy to find a space for and is very affordable. With the other pedals in your set up a passive DI is really all you need.

DIm Stick - Pedalnetics

Experience the versatility of the DIm Stick with a transformer from Unagi Magnetics, making it perfect for any instrument you use. DIm Stick.

pedalnetics.com

If you want a tube based DI then the Sushi Box Finally is a spectacular choice.

 

[Mastiff_5]

For a non-tube based DI that has VERY useful tools on-board, you should absolutely consider the
Source Audio ZIO. I adore mine.

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

So you have a DI on the messenger and want a DI??

Why?

 

[wolffire99]

You could also get a phantom powered DI like the neve RNDI and keep it separate from your pedalboard. On the floor or on your amp.

 

[denton57]

So you have a DI on the messenger and want a DI??

Why?

I want to replace it. I don’t really need the tone or filter controls, so it’s taking up a lot of room for just being my DI. I do like the master vol though

 

[scowboy]

Passive DI like acme Motown DI or Radial JDI. Let your amp sculpt your tone not a pedal.

I never leave home without my JDI.

 

[denton57]

Passive DI like acme Motown DI or Radial JDI. Let your amp sculpt your tone not a pedal.

This is an ampless situation. All IEM and no stage amps. Worship service. If we could use amps, I’d use my Milkman head and it’s DI.

 

[denton57]

JDI has the Jensen, but so does the Pinstripe but in a pedal size package. I think the JDI is larger?

 

[Erithon]

It looks like the feet you have are a lot taller than the ones on the Mono website.

That's correct. Another TBer designed and 3D printed them for me. They're necessary for the Khan VTDI because it is a much bigger enclosure than the other DIs I recommended. I did mention raising the feet earlier in my reply, but my point with that image was to show how limiting the rails on the Nano+ are; a rail-less design like the Mono Lite+ allows you to fit a lot more horizontally and that was a concern the OP noted in post no.4.

JDI has the Jensen, but so does the Pinstripe but in a pedal size package. I think the JDI is larger?

The JDI enclosure is indeed larger than the Pinstripe, yes.

 

[halcyo]

Smaller than I thought it was from pictures. Only sliiightly bigger than a “single pedal”. Bought it on a bit of a lark, but it sounds fantastic on my “mini gig board”, and soundguys are saying it sounds killer- clear, strong, punchy. It just kinda brings out more of the sound of your bass. 2 Eq bands sound sweet, and the Focus knob is a complex high pass filter, so its easy to get big sounds but not destroy speakers. XLR DI to front of house, 1/4” to my amp, and apparently the headphone output can ALSO be used as a 3rd output!

 

[Rip Van Dan]

I am running out of room on my pedal board, and the Messenger DI is taking up a lot of space. I have an RFE before it (and a Super Stack before that), so I am not using the EQ and filters on the Messenger. I am pretty new to pedal world, and I think I’d like a single pedal sized DI to put at the end of the board/chain. I came across the Walrus one which looks interesting. Curious if anyone had suggestions?

This is for live use and not studio recording

I don't run it in a pedal board but I carry my WTDI in my gig bag and pull it out as needed. If I'm forced to use a backline, I plug into it and plug it into the effects-return/in of the backline amp. Then I set my preamp settings the same as I do on my Eden amps and violá it sounds like my Eden and DNA gear. Even if the backline has good gear, using my WTDI as the preamp into the power section means I don't have to mess around twiddling with the backlines knobs to figure out a good sound. I've also run it straight the sound boards when the venue didn't want amps on stage.

It also records amazingly well. Did a 3-hour session at a Pro Recording Studio in Seattle in 2019 and the sound engineer and the owner both came into main room to see what I was using at the end of the session because I had such a great bass sound. With my '82 Jazz, I boost the low-mids at 500Hz and run everything else flat, with the Enhance (shape control) and compressor both turned off.

Eden hasn't made much, if anything, the last couple of years but these can be found used. Back when I got mine (6-years ago or so) they were $149 and the last price I saw on new ones was $179. As I said, there haven't been any new ones out for a couple of years but used prices are right around what the new prices were. I did see one down at $99 once. You can usually find them on both Reverb and E-bay. It comes with a 15-volt power supply but will also work fine with an 18v. I lost mine about 4-years ago and when I ordered another one they sent me the 18v replacement.

 

[Meriphew]

Another vote for the Radial JDI.

 

[deepestend]

Put the messenger on its side.

 

[Zbysek]

I have an all Broughton board at the moment

I would recommend Broughton Proto DI, then (if you can find one).

I have one on my large pedalboard. It is very pedalboard-friendly since it has all the connections on one side.

Proto DI | Broughton Audio

The Proto DI is a no frills, studio quality passive direct box that can be used with active and passive instruments. With it's low profile, light weight, and one-sided jack placement, this DI can fit in tight spaces, and makes pedalboard wiring a breeze. The custom UK made Carnhill transformer...

www.broughtonaudio.com

 

[Jeremias Paul]

The new RNDI-M. It’s a RNDI in a smaller package. Love mine.

 

[Geri O]

The new RNDI-M. It’s a RNDI in a smaller package. Love mine.

And it's only $199.00! What a deal!

$200 less than the RNDI.

And after my experience for the first time with an RNDI, this sure has me thinking.....

 

[S-Bigbottom]

Another for the Dim Stick. It smaller than a single pedal as well as smaller price at $70.
edit: using the same transformer from SushiBox.

 

[Jeremias Paul]

And it's only $199.00! What a deal!

$200 less than the RNDI.

And after my experience for the first time with an RNDI, this sure has me thinking.....

Yeah, I was looking into buying a regular RNDI and noticed they were pricier than they had been. Thankfully I stumbled on the M. My mind was made up really quickly?