what DIRECT BOX do you use live ????

[Lauryan]

The one in my Genz Benz Shuttle (first gigs last week, soundmen where happy with the sound..)

or my Radial Bassbone when i'm using two basses or just brought it with me or not playing my own amp etc..

 

[atheos]

+1 for Countryman. First of all it sounds good but the absolutely best thing is that it's built like a Soviet tank. It's really near to impossible to break one of those which is for me the most important feature on any gear that lies on the floor for everybody to kick around.

BSS and Sansamp are good, too. Never used a Bassbone myself but everybody complains that it drops the output level a lot - not really good for signal-to-noise ratio.

 

[JimmyM]

Um, actually, it is a DI. It just doesn't have an XLR out. I've been in touch with the people over at Tech 21 and I'm just waiting for this unit to arrive to HK so I can test drive it before I decide if I want to get it.

The output is a balanced 1/4" and it has speaker sim on it so you can take that sucker and go direct to a board.

Right. Now plug it into the board AND your amp.

 

[Lauryan]

Never used a Bassbone myself but everybody complains that it drops the output level a lot - not really good for signal-to-noise ratio.

If used properly the output level isn't reduced at all.
The manual mentions the gain-pots are passive, so no boost there. They're only to level the volume of two different basses if the bassbone is used with two basses. Just set the gain for the lowest-output-bass at maximum and compensate the other so the two basses have the same level going to the amp..

 

[RBasss]

Countryman.

Every one of my preamps has a direct out, but I rarely use them. It usually works out best (for us) if the FOH man gets just the bass>pedalboard>DI signal, and the preamp is there for making the sound happen onstage.

This is exactly what I do and I've never heard complaints from the house soundguys.

 

[dtfan4ever]

Right. Now plug it into the board AND your amp.

Had that been the intention of Tech 21, I'm sure there would be a 2nd out for that function. Obviously, they intended it to be used as a direct pedal because there is no way to turn off the cabinet simulation on the output.

Hence it is quite literally a direct box since they had every intention of it being plugged in directly and not having this signal go to an amp.

 

[msquared]

and i wouldnt freak out if my countryman did the 5 ft drop from the stage. the u5, yes.

+1. The U5 is stellar but it's not going anywhere if it isn't in a case, and I don't want to devote two rack spaces to something like that. I also don't really dig the idea of exposing it to any smoke.

I am seriously in love with the GT Brick but I have the same issues taking it out as I do with the U5.

The SABDDI is a bit noisy but it's great for bar gigs. I have an Aguilar DB359 on its way to my house and I'm looking forward to trying the DI on it, I hear it's great.

 

[JimmyM]

Had that been the intention of Tech 21, I'm sure there would be a 2nd out for that function. Obviously, they intended it to be used as a direct pedal because there is no way to turn off the cabinet simulation on the output.

Hence it is quite literally a direct box since they had every intention of it being plugged in directly and not having this signal go to an amp.

If that were the case, it would have an XLR instead of a 1/4". And there would be no mention of how you can use it as a stompbox with your amp in the manual. So yeah, it can be used as a DI, but it certainly wasn't exclusively designed as a DI. But if you would like to think it is, what do I care?

 

[DanielleMuscato]

Line6 Bass POD xt Live (into Crown K2)

 

[jimmyjammer]

For small stuff, I run my pedal board (which has a Sansamp BDDI and a BOSS Limiter Enhancer) straight into a dB Technologies Opera Live 15" 300W powered speaker. This speaker has a horn and is basically a wedge monitor. The sound is different to my main rig (Ampeg SVT and quad) but with the Sansamp I can dial in pretty much whatever I need... plus, it is small, perfect for cramped situations.

 

[Lindsay]

My preamp died at a sound check earlier this year so I plugged my Bassbone directly into the power amp and it did the job nicely. I had to turn the gain all the way up but it had just enough oumph. I actually played three or four gigs with just the bassbone and poweramp before my new pre arrived.

In terms of DIs to the board, JDI... but I'd love a Reddi.

 

[Jerry Ziarko]

Cable Factory DI-Pro-P1 Fabulous smooth sounding passive box with a Lundahl transformer.

 

[Groovin]

I use a Summit Audio Pre run to my powered cab. Sounds fantastic. You did not mention what sorts of sounds or gigs your going for with this set up though...

 

[patzilla83]

DI off the ashdown. used BDDI for a while when i had a gk.

 

[Banky]

Radial JDV. FOH sounds excellent and my home recordings never sounded this good before. JDV into two channels of FMR pre. And yes, it sums to mono just fine.

 

[robnatt]

JDI or Tone Hammer both work great for me.

 

[Rufus]

I thought after 4 pages, someone would have mentioned Reddi by A-Designs. Maybe it's too fragile.
I've never used one, but the clips on basstasters makes me want one.

 

[Rufus]

Maybe it's too fragile.

Price may have something to do with that also.

 

[JimmyM]

The Reddi is wonderful. But it's 10 lbs. and fairly delicate, so it's not usually thought of as a good candidate for live work in a day and age when you can get a 500w head that weighs 5 or 6 lbs.

 

[Rufus]

The Reddi is wonderful. But it's 10 lbs. and fairly delicate, so it's not usually thought of as a good candidate for live work in a day and age when you can get a 500w head that weighs 5 or 6 lbs.

Point well taken. I was thinking along the lines of "fragile", but, the weight issue is always important. Every musician I know over 40 has a bad back!