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Which DI?

What's your favorite direct box?

  • Raidal JDV

    Votes: 3 2.6%
  • Radial J48

    Votes: 3 2.6%
  • Radial JDI

    Votes: 23 20.0%
  • Countryman Associates Type 85

    Votes: 7 6.1%
  • ART PDB

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • ART X Direct

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • ART Z Direct

    Votes: 1 0.9%
  • Whirlwind Direct-JT

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Whirlwind Hotbox

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Whirlwind Director

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Whirlwind Imp 2

    Votes: 2 1.7%
  • Whirlwind EDB1

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Avalon U5

    Votes: 24 20.9%
  • Summit Audio TD-100

    Votes: 2 1.7%
  • PreSonus TubePre

    Votes: 3 2.6%
  • Aguilar DB 900

    Votes: 7 6.1%
  • Ampeg SVTDI

    Votes: 2 1.7%
  • Sadowsky Bass Preamp/DI

    Votes: 4 3.5%
  • Tech 21 NYC SansAmp Bass Driver DI

    Votes: 34 29.6%

  • Total voters
    115
I haven't used all those listed, but I have used a few. I had an Avalon U5 and that would be my top choice...except for the size and weight. The Radial JDI (my choice) sounds REALLY good and it's way easier to take with you, it's passive, has a Jensen transformer, and is solid as a rock.

I'm not a fan of the BDDI. Whirlwind is fine. Many like the Countryman 85. I haven't used one.

Some of the DI's listed here have some tone control as well. I guess for me, a DI is just that, a DI. Tone control comes by way of a preamp or head. A DI is for getting a nice flat signal to the FOH.
 
I use the radial JDI just because its simple, small, and sounds really good in every situation I've used it in. I've recorded with and played live with it. The other I've used up there and really liked was the avalon. I recorded one song with it, and my bass sounded really nice, and it looked very well made and was easy to use as well.

Dan
 
Hi

I am considering buying a passive JDI for my Bass. I have on equestion - our mixer applies phantom power globally across all channels - I know the JDI is passive and so does not need this power, but I cannot turn the pahntom send off at the mixer. My question is - will sending phantom power to the passive JDI damage it, or will it reject the phantom power safely?

THanks
 
I LOVE my U5!!!! I use it in my recording rig because it takes my signal and doesn't seem to color it, although I recently sold my SansAmp and may get another one to get the SVT-ish tone going, but then again plug-ins such as Amplitube 2 wotk great. I think getting a clean tone into you DAW/recording unit is key to getting good tone. :D