Help! Bass DI

[Bart B]

Hi guys,

This isn't really about musicman basses but I hope you can help me
I play in 2 bands and only have one amp, and instead of buying another amp, i am looking for a DI box so i can put my bass directly to the mixing desk.
Only problem is I have no clue at all of what is a good DI box, let alone or it is really suited for bass..

Anyone who knows what might be a good buy??

Thanks!

 

[Grand Wazoo]

You have quite a few to choose from, one of the best ones has been known as the Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI and there are quite a few of them available all with difference add-on circuitry such as cabinet emulator or even tube emulators, but the one recognized as the industry standard up to now is this one:

TECH 21 - SansAmp Bass Driver DI

Mark Bass has brought out also their own version and this is one I would be really interested to try

MARKBASS

 

[Kirby]

The Radial DI and Demeter tube DI are both good units. I own both and have never had problems. The Radial is the best for passing your signal through unaltered in my opinion from what I have tried.

 

[EBMM7181]

The Avalon U5 is amazing

 

[Bart B]

The markbass DI looks like it will serve it's purpose and isn't that expensive...but the Tech 21, 250 dollars for a DI, i wonder if it's worth that much just for the extra preamp?

 

[Grand Wazoo]

The markbass DI looks like it will serve it's purpose and isn't that expensive...but the Tech 21, 250 dollars for a DI, i wonder if it's worth that much just for the extra preamp?

Well it depends on how deep your pocket is, really. The Sansamp allows you sound modelling features that other don't. I've mentioned before cabinet emulator for one, and that in itself is a great feature to have, if you need to spice up an otherwise dry sound.

 

[five7]

Countryman is the industry standard!

 

[Bart B]

The markbass and radial pro 48 are the most budget friendly options i think, but quality as well. I think i'll go for one of these, the Eq on my musicman should be sufficient

EDIT: thanks for your replies!

 

[Smakbass]

I use the Radial JDI and like it.

 

[strummer]

Maybe spend a little more and get the Radial Bassbone, very handy if you might waht to eq or boost your sound, or if you use two different instruments.

 

[boombox]

While I give a +1 on any and all Radial products it is important to select the right DI for your application.

If you running your active Music Man basses only the passive JDI is the way to go. The use of the Jensen transformer will relay the most transparent signal possible to the sound board while eliminating any unwanted noise.

If you are also going to be running passive basses I would look at the J48 which is an active version of the JDI. The active design help prevent signal loss when splitting a passive bass signal (which doesn’t occur when using an active instrument.) and it is strong enough to handle a hard driving low end bass line without choking.

If you need a DI with the added option of an EQ the BassBone is great. Check out my review of the 25th Anniversary bass, I used a BassBone set flat as the DI straight into the camera.

 

[kirkm24]

the dbx db10 Passive DI is a nice, high quality DI box at a very reasonable price... about $80 US. I've owned Countryman and Radial JDI and I think this is every bit as good and it's built like a tank!

 

[Bart B]

While I give a +1 on any and all Radial products it is important to select the right DI for your application.

If you running your active Music Man basses only the passive JDI is the way to go. The use of the Jensen transformer will relay the most transparent signal possible to the sound board while eliminating any unwanted noise.

If you are also going to be running passive basses I would look at the J48 which is an active version of the JDI. The active design help prevent signal loss when splitting a passive bass signal (which doesn’t occur when using an active instrument.) and it is strong enough to handle a hard driving low end bass line without choking.

If you need a DI with the added option of an EQ the BassBone is great. Check out my review of the 25th Anniversary bass, I used a BassBone set flat as the DI straight into the camera.

I checked out your video, seems like the DI I am looking for (not to mention the bass, too) thanks!

 

[MingusBASS]

Get a JDI, your sound guy will be impressed.

 

[DTG]

You have quite a few to choose from, one of the best ones has been known as the Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI and there are quite a few of them available all with difference add-on circuitry such as cabinet emulator or even tube emulators, but the one recognized as the industry standard up to now is this one:

TECH 21 - SansAmp Bass Driver DI

Mark Bass has brought out also their own version and this is one I would be really interested to try

MARKBASS

what he said !! sansamp is killer

 

[Sting]

what he said !! sansamp is killer

I have the three channel programmable SansAmp Bass Driver DI, and I can testify that it is absolutely killer sounding with the Stingray. That is if your looking at getting a tube amped sound with out the tube amp. If your looking for clean transparent sound, the Radial JDI has my vote. The SansAmp can be bypassed and used as a clean active DI but IMHO if you just want a clean tone then the Radial is the way to go.

The last couple times I was in the studio the sound engineer split the signal from my bass, one channel went through a Radial JDI and the other through my SansAmp. Both individual tracks sounded great but when the two tracks were blended the sound was stellar! And that was with a F*nd*r Precision bass. (I didn't have my Stingray yet okay, cut me some slack!! I have now seen the light and joined the choir.)

 

[MingusBASS]

Hey Sting, we need pics of that Electric Blue Ray 5.

 

[Sting]

Hey Sting, we need pics of that Electric Blue Ray 5.

Soon as I get the chance, maybe tonight...

 

[Smakbass]

Most sound guys are quite happy when I pull out that JDI and all they have to do is hand over a cable.....Make sure you get a nice quality 1/4-1/4" short cable to run to your rig as well.

 

[phat5]

Get a JDI, your sound guy will be impressed.

+1! Easy to stash too