Which DI? REDDI? Avalon U5? Summit? The Brick? JDI?

[toniwonkanobi]

Hey ya'll,

My current live setup is:

Fender jazz '62RI --> ST-200 tuner --> VT bass pedal --> Sadowsky preamp -->Markbass LM Tube head --> Berg AE210, --> FOH/PA.

I haven't had any big issues with the DI on the LMT or anything, but i'd like a little bit of tone shaping for recording, so i'm curious which DI ya'll recommend.

I play R&B, gospel, rock, funk.. No metal or punk or anything. Not sure if that even matters. I usually leave my VT bass pedal on for a classic tone, and turn it off and the sadowsky pedal on when i want a more modern/slap sound.

I know the REDDI is real hot around here, but would having that tone going to the FOH sort of clash whenever i turn on the Sadowsky preamp/DI for slap?

Maybe the Avalon U5 is a better choice, then?

I accidentally left the Countryman Type 85 out, but include that one if you wish (along with you reasons above the others, if you can).

The prices of these DI's goes from $139 used all the way to around $700 new, i think. Big differential.

Cast your vote and please tell me why you chose what you chose!

 

[bongomania]

They all have different flavors and functions. It's almost apples-to-oranges, because anyone who wanted the fat tube tone of the REDDI would be nuts to buy a U5, and anyone who wanted the most portability and least hassle would be nuts to buy a REDDI, and anyone who wanted tone-shaping would be nuts to buy a JDI.

So, I'd put it to you: What do you want it to do?

And yes, any heavily-colored processor (e.g. the REDDI) will color whatever goes through it. Whether that sounds good is subjective, up to you.

 

[toniwonkanobi]

They all have different flavors and functions. It's almost apples-to-oranges, because anyone who wanted the fat tube tone of the REDDI would be nuts to buy a U5, and anyone who wanted the most portability and least hassle would be nuts to buy a REDDI, and anyone who wanted tone-shaping would be nuts to buy a JDI.

So, I'd put it to you: What do you want it to do?

And yes, any heavily-colored processor (e.g. the REDDI) will color whatever goes through it. Whether that sounds good is subjective, up to you.

Well i certainly have color via both of my pedals, so maybe a transparent one would be better? I guess it just doesn't make sense to me why the Avalon U5 is more expensive than the Radial JDI. But i guess i'm silly to think that, since the former has some tone shaping and other features. Both are Class A though. Is that a good thing?

 

[ajunea3]

None of the above. I use a Demeter VTDB, and the tone is incredible. Fat, smooth, and punchy with beautiful harmonic detail. A bit expensive, but I got mine used.

 

[kai_ski]

With the U5, you get out whatever you put into it. It's like putting your instrument/effects/playing under a microscope PLUS a little warmer and fatter. I would say it's safe to call it an industry standard for bass, both live and in the studio.

But with your sadowsky pre, you might be just as well off going with a basic JDI or countryman. In my case the Avalon removes the need to have a preamp at all.

 

[bongomania]

Well i certainly have color via both of my pedals, so maybe a transparent one would be better?

Yes, I agree with that logic.

I guess it just doesn't make sense to me why the Avalon U5 is more expensive than the Radial JDI. But i guess i'm silly to think that, since the former has some tone shaping and other features. Both are Class A though. Is that a good thing?

The JDI is not Class A, because it is not an amplifier, and the term "Class A" describes a type of amplifier (note: in this context a preamp is an "amplifier", I don't mean "amplifier" in the combo amp or power amp sense). You may be thinking of the J48? I think I recall the J48 is Class A. Anyway, one big reason the Avalon costs more is it uses a vastly larger number and size of parts. It simply costs that much more to make the U5. It is designed using different parts and different design goals than other class-A circuits (which may be designed in a number of ways). And either way, Class A is only a "good thing" if that is the type of design that gets the results you want. It's not a "good thing" by itself, not a sign of high quality necessarily.

 

[toniwonkanobi]

But with your sadowsky pre, you might be just as well off going with a basic JDI or countryman. In my case the Avalon removes the need to have a preamp at all.

I thought as much, however, my sadowsky pre is not always on, even though it's "first" in the chain. If i always left it on, i would just DI out of it (maybe even foregoing the Radial/Countryman DI's).

Alternatively, i could rearrange it easily so that the sadowsky is last, so that, even if it wasn't on, it could pass my signal to the FOH (i put it first only because it drains battery whenever a cable is plugged into the "input" jack). I would rather not do that, as i always forget to unplug things/mute things, etc. lol..

Seems like the U5 is/was the 'standard' for everyone, but around here everyone raves about the REDDI. And i think it sounds nice, too, but it's kinda pricey, especially if i don't do that many sessions.

Why do some guys feel the U5 is too "hifi" or "sterile"? Maybe that wouldn't be a bad thing for me since i have a VT bass pedal anyways?

 

[toniwonkanobi]

Yes, I agree with that logic.

The JDI is not Class A, because it is not an amplifier, and the term "Class A" describes a type of amplifier (note: in this context a preamp is an "amplifier", I don't mean "amplifier" in the combo amp or power amp sense). You may be thinking of the J48? I think I recall the J48 is Class A. Anyway, one big reason the Avalon costs more is it uses a vastly larger number and size of parts. It simply costs that much more to make the U5. It is designed using different parts and different design goals than other class-A circuits (which may be designed in a number of ways). And either way, Class A is only a "good thing" if that is the type of design that gets the results you want. It's not a "good thing" by itself, not a sign of high quality necessarily.

So if i just want a better/surefire DI in case the Markbass DI on my amp gives me any trouble, maybe the JDI would be fine? Any advantage to the J48? Would i miss out not having the U5 (with respect to my current setup) by going with one of the Radial/countryman DI's?

 

[MikeBass]

Love the Brick. Just sold my Ditto Box, which was basically a Brick really, and more than likely gonna get a Brick in the future.

Used the Reddi and tried the Avalon U%.
The Reddi is real wide sounding. Lots of nice low end coming thru it.
The Brick (well at least my Ditto, and a few Bricks I used in the past) is tighter in the low end dept.
Moving up the spectrum, I think they are pretty close there out.

The Avalon.....ehh. Didn't do much for me. The ironic thng was, when I got to really sit with one, not knowing ahead of time which setting was which, when I dialed up the flat/pass-thru setting, I like it the best! LOL!!

I really didn't care for it a whole lot. Didn't sound as organic as the others. At least to me. YMMV/IMO yada yada yada.....

 

[toniwonkanobi]

in a perfect world, i would have one bass/rig for a classic (ampeg) sound and one (or more!) basses/rigs for more modern tones. And i would have REDDI for recording, an a U5 for live. But since this is not a perfect world, and since my pedalboard already has around $350 in tone shaping, i certainly can't justify *too* much more gear in my chain lol..

can I?

 

[toniwonkanobi]

The Avalon.....ehh. Didn't do much for me. The ironic thng was, when I got to really sit with one, not knowing ahead of time which setting was which, when I dialed up the flat/pass-thru setting, I like it the best! LOL!! I really didn't care for it a whole lot. Didn't sound as organic as the others. At least to me. YMMV/IMO yada yada yada.....

That's the type of opinion that makes me stray from this "standard" that is the U5. But Mike, maybe me having a VT bass pedal in the chain would warm everything up anyways? (which leads me to, "so why do you need a U5, then Anthony?") ARG!!!

 

[toniwonkanobi]

Love the Brick. Just sold my Ditto Box, which was basically a Brick really, and more than likely gonna get a Brick in the future. The Brick (well at least my Ditto, and a few Bricks I used in the past) is tighter in the low end dept.

Did the Brick have the same sorta vibe as the REDDI? If so, how did you use it in conjunction with slap? Did you just turn it off, or did it sound great with slap? lol

 

[bongomania]

The J48 (active) is going to have stronger output than the JDI (passive), as passive DI's inherently drop the signal level, while active DI's are usually capable of unity gain, or sometimes even boosting. OTOH, the JDI is bombproof and doesn't require any power, so it is the ultimate in simple functionality. The outputs of your Sad and VT pedals can be boosted enough that the volume drop across the JDI would not be an issue for you.

Personally I would steer you to the JDI, as you're getting all the tone shaping and signal strength you'd need from those two pedals, and you don't want a third tone-shaper mucking them up.

 

[JimmyM]

JDI's sweet. I used one a couple weeks ago as a speaker DI on my SVT, and it rocked.

 

[Jerry J]

Hey ya'll,

My current live setup is:

Fender jazz '62RI --> Sadowsky preamp --> ST-200 tuner --> VT bass pedal --> Markbass LM Tube head --> Berg AE210, --> FOH/PA.

I haven't had any big issues with the DI on the LMT or anything, but i'd like a little bit of tone shaping for recording, so i'm curious which DI ya'll recommend.

I play R&B, gospel, rock, funk.. No metal or punk or anything. Not sure if that even matters. I usually leave my VT bass pedal on for a classic tone, and turn it off and the sadowsky pedal on when i want a more modern/slap sound.

I know the REDDI is real hot around here, but would having that tone going to the FOH sort of clash whenever i turn on the Sadowsky preamp/DI for slap?

Maybe the Avalon U5 is a better choice, then?

I accidentally left the Countryman Type 85 out, but include that one if you wish (along with you reasons above the others, if you can).

The prices of these DI's goes from $139 used all the way to around $700 new, i think. Big differential.

Cast your vote and please tell me why you chose what you chose!

When you say you have the "Sadowsky preamp" do you mean the Sadowsky pedal? If so it should have an XLR output which I would think would work fine for this. I haven't tried mine for that but would imagine that it would sound great for your application.

 

[toniwonkanobi]

When you say you have the "Sadowsky preamp" do you mean the Sadowsky pedal? If so it should have an XLR output which I would think would work fine for this. I haven't tried mine for that but would imagine that it would sound great for your application.

Yeah, the sadowsky preamp/DI pedal. It's now last in my chain, so i think i'll stick with that as my DI instead of the markbass head. I did notice a difference in the clips Jimmy posted up. I'll have to explore for myself the difference between the markbass DI and the sadowsky DI to see which is better, or if i need a countryman/JDI afterall.

unless someone out there knows the countryman/JDI would be better anyways lol

 

[Poon]

Personally I would steer you to the JDI, as you're getting all the tone shaping and signal strength you'd need from those two pedals, and you don't want a third tone-shaper mucking them up.

As an owner of the REDDI, I'd agree with bongo. I have a VTbass and I used to own a Sad Pre, the Avalon U5, etc. Whenever I'm doing recording, I have the REDDI straight to a Neve or API or some other Nice Mic Pre. The the rest of my signal chain (including a VTbass always) will go into my amp then we'll mic it or another DI/Mic Pre. That way you get your clean signal and your "colored" signal and your engineer can blend. If this application is purely for the live setting, then just let them take it from either your Sadowsky Pre in the front of the chain or let them take it from your amp. Sure it's noisier than a good DI, but in the live setting, no one can really tell. All my engineer buddies always say..."dude...it's live, no one can tell", which I do agree to some extent. If you're intent on buying a DI, then just get a Countryman or Radial JDI. Especially if you're intent on not breaking the bank with a more expensive Avalon or A-Designs.

Disclaimer: I own Bongo's old REDDI

 

[toniwonkanobi]

As an owner of the REDDI, I'd agree with bongo. I have a VTbass and I used to own a Sad Pre, the Avalon U5, etc. Whenever I'm doing recording, I have the REDDI straight to a Neve or API or some other Nice Mic Pre. The the rest of my signal chain (including a VTbass always) will go into my amp then we'll mic it or another DI/Mic Pre. That way you get your clean signal and your "colored" signal and your engineer can blend. If this application is purely for the live setting, then just let them take it from either your Sadowsky Pre in the front of the chain or let them take it from your amp. Sure it's noisier than a good DI, but in the live setting, no one can really tell. All my engineer buddies always say..."dude...it's live, no one can tell", which I do agree to some extent. If you're intent on buying a DI, then just get a Countryman or Radial JDI. Especially if you're intent on not breaking the bank with a more expensive Avalon or A-Designs.

Disclaimer: I own Bongo's old REDDI

So the DI from the sad. pre's gonna be a little hissy or noisier than the JDI/countryman you think?

 

[Poon]

So the DI from the sad. pre's gonna be a little hissy or noisier than the JDI/countryman you think?

Let your ears decide. I've never done an A/B of the two. I would guess (no empirical reasoning) that the JDI would be quieter since it's a passive DI, but I'd wait for a correct answer to this. The Sadowsky is a cool sounding preamp for the modern slap stuff.

 

[dnarock]

I vote the countryman