Looking for DI advice

[lbpesq]

Here's the deal:  In the past we've used our PA for vocals only.  I'm in the process of putting together a new PA that will also reinforce the instruments and allow use of IEMs and/or personal monitor mixes.  My initial research suggests that using a DI for the bass is preferable to using a mic on the cabinet.  Am I correct in this assumption?  If so, I'm looking for suggestions for a basic DI box.  I don't need anything fancy and would like to keep the cost down.  One varible to consider is that my vocal mics and two of the drum kit mics are condenser, so I'll be running the board with phantom power on.  So I need either an active DI that runs on phantom power, or a passive DI that isn't effected by phantom power.  I can't imagine a more knowledgable group of people to ask than the bass players who hang out here.  Thanks in advance for your input.


Bill, tgo

[pauldo]

yep, and the first guy to reply is the one bassist who does NOT use a DI . . . . and thus is rather unqualified, but here is my .02.

A group that my friend is in send me recordings and the bass always sounds sharp, upfront and clear (and it's not an Alembic!) - his bass player uses a Tech 21 Sans Amp Bass Driver DI for his bass. 

It's on my list, but I haven't been gigging so hard to justify.  No idea about phantom power compatibility.

[5a quilt top]

+1 on the Sansamp Bass Driver.

I have the three-channel version, which may be a little more than you need, and it has worked great for situations where I need to go direct to the PA. I can program in three different sounds / EQ settings - for example: "fat tube", "SVT" and "slap" and toggle between them via footswitches. XLR out feeds PA mixer and 1/4" out can feed a dedicated powered monitor for me & the drummer, if required. I run it off an "i-spot" 9v power supply and have had no issues.

Sounds great with all of my non-Series Alembics (but haven't tried it with my Series II) and my "other" basses (the usual suspects).

Highly recommended for a moderately-priced (under $300 new), multi-function DI.

[StephenR]

I think if you just want a bare bones DI look at either the Countryman or Radial passive products. Quick check of prices shows a Radial passive box for around $100 and a Countryman for $129. The Sansamp is a nice unit too but more money ($210) especially if you don't need the built-in tone curves.

[lbpesq]

Does the Radial and/or Countryman play nice with phantom power? 

Has anyone heard of the OSP ADB-1 Premium Active Direct Box?  Here's a link to it:

https://reverb.com/item/180244-osp-adb-1-premium-active-direct-box

Bill, tgo

[StephenR]

Hey Bill

Not familiar with the OSP box but I was just poking around on the Radial site and they have a couple of very informative articles about DIs under the "important links" section on following page. They address selecting a DI for either active or passive basses and talk about phantom power, too. The articles should answer most of your questions and may lead to new additional ones.

http://www.radialeng.com/passivedi-products.php

[FC Bass]

I'm going to get the Radial JDI stereo version, heard a lot of good things about it. One of the cabs is also miked, but I only use it for the overdrive/fuzz sounds. (those sound horrible over DI) I think for clean bass a plain DI is best, a very good starting point for the FOH engineer.

If you have an active bass the best is a passive DI, for passive basses use an active DI.
Check the manufacturer/manual to be sure, but I think most passive DI's will have no problem with phantom power. (Most Active DI's use it)

[lidon2001]

I have the Radial JDI.  Very good.  No problems with phantom power when I used it live.  Also tried the speaker output setup for recording some tracks with my old Fender Bassman and it worked fine.  Claims to be ruler flat so it should work with guitar too.  I like it.

Active DI for bass - wise, the Noble Preamp is very intriguing and getting good reviews at talkbass.  nobleamps.com 

T

[peoplechipper]

I use the sansamp bass di into my Acoustic rig for all my grind as the amp is clean, so if I were in your boat I would go straight to that, but if you just need clean the radial stuff is well made and Canadian, made just a bike ride from me...Tony

[lbpesq]

Thanks for all the great info, everyone.  Really appreciated.  I wound up buying a used Radial Pro DI for $60 on reverb.com.  I think this will be perfect for my purpose.

Bill, tgo

[keith_h]

My board has phantom power control for each channel so I can't say how the passives react to it. The active DI works great and I don't have to worry about batteries. I have a Radial ProDI I use for bass. They come in around $100. I also own a few EWI Direct boxes that have held up well and have a decent price. You can pick up an active for around $50 and passive for $30. I have both the FDB-101 and LDB-101. There are better DI's out there but to me it isn't as critical for PA use as long as they are quiet. Here is a link to the Audiopile DI web page:

http://www.audiopile.net/di-boxes

[edwin]

I like the Radial stuff and LOVE the Grace Design Felix (and it's little sibling, the Alix). But that's a whole different cost level. Their M103 Channelstrip is without a doubt the best bass DI/preamp I've ever heard.

[jacko]

Can't comment on DI's as I always use the one on my amp as I like to have my effects in the mix. However, regarding phantom power, I always insert an ART isolation transformer into my DI link as an idiot sound guy fried an amp one time when he switched phantom power on fo no apparent reason.

Graeme