• 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 does a DI-box do?

#6
Basically it will send an isolated, high impedance, balanced line level to a PA, mixing board, or recording mixer.



Here is an excerpt from a the FAQ section in the amp forum. http://www.talkbass.com/ampfaq/

2.4. DI or Direct Inject

In order to connect your amplifier to a PA or a studio mixer, a DI is used. A DI device (which is often built into the amplifier) provides a level adjusted, electrically isolated, balanced connection. Signal levels and balanced signals are discussed in 7.1. The electrical isolation is a way to prevent ground loops and related dangers. With many different devices, some with very high power consumption, connected to the mains system in a building, voltages appear across the mains wiring. These voltages contaminate the ground (zero volts) level, for instance when a signal cable (very low power) goes from the main mixer to the bass amplifier on stage, along with the ground conductor from the mains, where the power amplifiers get their juice from (very high power). This leads to a difference in ground level, and this is called a "ground loop". A very loud, system-wide hum is the result. The electrical isolation has the additional advantage of safety. When something blows, chances of you getting mains voltage across your body (and your equipment) are reduced.
Click to expand...
 
#8
theshadow2001 said:
Would you need to use a DI box with an acitve bass? They have high impedance outputs and an onboard preamp....a bit like a DI box
Click to expand...
A DI box is still required.

Another benefit of DI boxes is that they are often manufactured to handle phantom power coming from some mixing boards, whereas many heads/preamps cannot accept phantom power.
 
#9
A DI does miracles... I originally bought one for my 12string g**tar, it was so amazing... so I plugged in my Tacoma CB105 WOW!!! it came alive and the ability to put it in to the mains cleanly was pure heaven. I then tried it with my p-bass I could not believe my ears. I currently don't go anywhere without my DI, a Baggs Paracoustic. I run into the main board and if available an amp, since it has two outputs. Usually I have the bass in my monitor if I am not using an amp on stage...cool, I don't carry a bunch of heavy amps around.....
 
#10
joninjapan said:
A DI does miracles... I originally bought one for my 12string g**tar, it was so amazing... so I plugged in my Tacoma CB105 WOW!!! it came alive and the ability to put it in to the mains cleanly was pure heaven. I then tried it with my p-bass I could not believe my ears. I currently don't go anywhere without my DI, a Baggs Paracoustic. I run into the main board and if available an amp, since it has two outputs. Usually I have the bass in my monitor if I am not using an amp on stage...cool, I don't carry a bunch of heavy amps around.....
Click to expand...
The problem with a D.I is that you get a very dry sound.
When you record A bass guitar it might be o.k. because you usually don't want to add the room natural reverb but when you record a classic or acoustic guitar (or many other instruments) many times you'll want to add the rooms natural acoustic to the sound of the instrument.

When we talk about stage it's really usIng a DI directly to the mxing borad and to the P.A. is comfortable but many players like a certain AMP sound to color their bass sound , so they prefer to go first to amp and from the AMP out they go the mixer and P.A. (also that way you can control the sopund live and not be only depend on the Soundman.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back