DI Box. Active or Passive?

[Buzzman]

I did a DI box search but didn't find one specifically on this subject.
If there is a link, please post it, if not......

With and active bass (EBMM) are you using an active or passive DI box?

(FWIW, I'm considering the Radial Pro DI. Basic, passive DI box.)

I look forward to your input.

Thank you.

Buzz

 

[phat5]

If you like the sound of your bass, might I suggest the Radial JDI; my Bongo sounds fabulous thru it.

 

[mynan]

I think it depends on your situation. I used passive DI boxes for years and there are some good ones out there. As of late, I've been playing at my church where there are some issues with lights and a long run from the stage to the board causing some noise and a huge loss of signal with DI boxes. We recently got active DI boxes for our keyboard players and a Sansamp for bass, virtually eliminating these issues.

 

[Buzzman]

I think it depends on your situation. I used passive DI boxes for years and there are some good ones out there. As of late, I've been playing at my church where there are some issues with lights and a long run from the stage to the board causing some noise and a huge loss of signal with DI boxes. We recently got active DI boxes for our keyboard players and a Sansamp for bass, virtually eliminating these issues.

The Chair recognizes my bass brother from Michigan.

From some things I have read (Including on line at Radial) for longer runs, an active box is the way to go.

I'm just wondering if active basses work better with active or passive boxes. Or if it's just a subjective preference.

 

[mynan]

I don't see that it would make a difference. The active component in your active bass is the eq, allowing you to boost bass, mid, and treble. It shouldn't affect the DI any more than it would affect your amp. I think the only difference in an active DI box is that it may color your tone, but it would do the same to a passive bass.

 

[MK Bass Weed]

I'm using the SansAmp Bass Driver DI with my StingRay HH live all the time. Not for the EQ, but for the dirt you can add to the signal to come out of the house. Good Dirt. The Dirt we like.

MK

 

[Buzzman]

I got this from Radials website. (FAQ)

Q: Why do some people feel active direct boxes are better than passive DI’s?
A: Comparing active DI’s to passive ones is akin to comparing condenser mics to dynamics. Condensers tend to have more ‘reach’ and upper end clarity, while dynamics tend to be bolder and better suited to handling transients without distortion. Active direct boxes are signal preamplifiers that draw very little current from the instrument and because of their higher input impedance, tend to have more reach and sparkle. The high input impedance results in less loading on the pickup, an effect that can cause passive pickups, as found on vintage basses and electric guitars, to sound thinner. Today, most basses and acoustic guitars employ battery-powered preamps that buffer the signal and are not affected by loading. Most pros have some of each depending on the tone they are looking for or the problem they are trying to solve.

I've been using my Sadowsky outboard preamp/DI box for my passive basses but I wanted something else for my EBMM basses. Since they were active I figured I would just get a passive box. I gather from their information, that should be fine.

I just thought I'd post the thread to see what the majority of EBMM players were using and why.

 

[kirkm24]

If you have an active bass, which most of us do on this forum anyway, a Radial JDI is perfect. Additional EQ controls on an active DI are kind of redundant if you have EQ controls on your bass. The JDI, IMO is the best passive DI available. The Jenson transformer in that thing makes your bass sing!

 

[Hellboy]

Radial JDI´s are my favourites as well. I have quite many line boxes in the studio I run including Avalon U5, Groove Tubes "The Brick" and some others but I use my JDI´s most of the time. And always on bass since I think that they sounds best. Love them.

//Jan

 

[Buzzman]

Thanks to everyone for their input on this topic.
I'm going to pick up a passive box and give it a whirl.

 

[nicolasd]

i love my JDI too. i use it with my Bongo 5 and SR5. the only thing i'd say regarding active/passive is that the JDI needs phantom power, and (sadly) i've met some sound guys that simply don't know how to activate it on the systems they're using.

then it gets into the "it's your DI," and "no, you're not sending phantom power." thing.

 

[MingusBASS]

I really love my Groove Tubes Brick. It just makes everything sound better...

The Radial JDI is a sweet box though.

 

[kirkm24]

i love my JDI too. i use it with my Bongo 5 and SR5. the only thing i'd say regarding active/passive is that the JDI needs phantom power, and (sadly) i've met some sound guys that simply don't know how to activate it on the systems they're using.

then it gets into the "it's your DI," and "no, you're not sending phantom power." thing.

I don't believe that is correct. The JDI is passive meaning it requires no power at all.

 

[Kindness]

The JDI is passive meaning it requires no power at all.

Correct.