• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

what DIRECT BOX do you use live ????

#21
I'm a fan of the Countryman Type 85 DI. I usually go into the box, then out to my amp, giving the front of house or the recording engineer the sound of my bass and nothing else. I'm not a fan of on-amp DI's (except for the one on my Eden), and the Countryman is nice and warm and sound guys (or gals) know what to expect. I'm sure there are better ones out there, but for my purposes the T85 is the best I've found.
 
#22
I use the GT Ditto Box tube DI as well. Sounds awesome, just a little bulky.
As far as I know though, only a limited few DI's can run a power-amp to gig levels.
The Ditto, Aggie Tone Hammer and the SansAmp are the only ones that I know of that can.
Even some DI's on the back of amps don't have the output to run a seperate power amp very loud.

Radial DI's can't, Countryman, as great as they sound, can't at all, Whirlwind, can't either.
That was the topic of the OP question wasn't it?

I'd do some careful research before I'd plunk down some cash on a DI that can't do it.
Most DI's really don't have much more output than what your bass (active) has.
You can plug your bass into a power-apm and get some sound, but nothing near that would work for a gig.
 
#23
basslinejam said:
I agree with every one of these suggestions for onstage - except using the DI on the head, even though a lot of them sound great. I prefer to have my FOH signal completely separated from my stage amp. If the stage amp goes down at least the show goes on without interruption...
Click to expand...
Better safe than sorry, I suppose, but does that happen much?
 
#24
great points !!!! the tone hammer is what ive been looking at ... also a shuttle(600 and use it for my second head as well) ... but i have recently picked up a line 6 studio 110 combo and had thoughts of just buying a carvin powered 112 cab and line from the combo to the powered speaker and be done with it ...... any thoughts on that ? negatives vs. positives ?????
 
#25
adge said:
Another vote for the Countryman T85...

I used to give the sound guy a send from my Sansamp, but it didnt work for all soundies and thier systems, so i figure just give them plain ol' signal and let them "shape" the sound out front...
Click to expand...


+1

I use a Radial JDI, but ONLY if I don't have my Countryman type 85--LOL!
The Countryman is the gold standard, IMHO.

However, IMHO, a Sansamp paraDI is goooood for Piezo pickups on uprights (Gage Realist, for example).
 
#26
JimmyM said:
Better safe than sorry, I suppose, but does that happen much?
Click to expand...


Once is enough. I have blown a fuse that killed a DI. Actually, the fuse didn't blow, the fuse cap shook loose and allowed the fuse to "pop out."

The result was a dead amp and dead DI until I swapped in a spare head. Good thing it was a final set in a bar, not at a concert.
 
#27
Have used the di out on my SWR baby baby blue, sansamps, bassbone, aphex bass exciter and sadowski. Currently using ebs microbass II. Very happy with all those but outgrew the sansamp tone after a while. The microbass is quite powerful but not sure if it can run a power amp though, if it doesn't it seems to do anything else.
 
#28
I use the Tech 21 Sansamp DI. I use it for playing at church. It sounds quite lovely. (Especially through the 18" Sub:D)

I got a buddy that uses a BBE rackmount, that thing is pretty darn nice. He runs it to a QSC power amp, but you could use it direct to board, too.
 
#33
Couple of different ones, depending on application.

If I'm using two very different basses -- say an electric and my Azola BugBass -- I use a BassBone for it's switching features. If not, I'll use my JDI between the output of my Demeter HBP-1 and my power amp to protect the Demeter pre from accidental damage by Phantom Power.

But the JDI gets the call 90% of the time.




dcr
 
#35
Willy2911 said:
I use a Sansamp - that is what I would recomend
Click to expand...

I've been using SansAmp DIs in one way or another for many years. At first it was the BDDI, then the programmable BDDI but now I'm using the RBI xlr out in the back for a signal to the FOH. I use the uneffected out which has never been complained about by any FOH engineer. They get my Modulus Q6 or MTD 635 signal, uneffected, to do what they like with. Usually they just turn it up. The bass does the rest. If you've got a good axe, you won't need anything but a clean D.I. to send to the FOH. Of course, this is IMHO and works for me and only me. There are so many other ways you can go. As y'all know. Dudes, this place is so much FUN!
dD \m/
 
#36
MXR M80, it doesn't seem to have any colouration and is pretty flat. I use it for;
a. belt and braces should my amp ever fail
b. muting when tuning using the parallel out
c. occasional distortion (very occasional)
d. DIing into the PA in rehearsal spaces for speed of set up/break down and keeping the backline costs down.
 
#37
slaerts said:
Have used the di out on my SWR baby baby blue, sansamps, bassbone, aphex bass exciter and sadowski. Currently using ebs microbass II. Very happy with all those but outgrew the sansamp tone after a while. The microbass is quite powerful but not sure if it can run a power amp though, if it doesn't it seems to do anything else.
Click to expand...
It can.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back