How to properly DI Bass guitar?

8k2q1gfcz9s5d4 · 10-09-2009 2:20pm #1

Hey,

Just wondering what is the proper way to DI Bass guitar, our last bassist had a DI built into the amp, so it was just a matter of connecting a mic cable into the amp, and plugging it into the desk. However, new bassist, new amp! Dont think this one has a DI.
I havnt a clue how to use DI's, would we be better off with a bass/kick mic on the amp?

Savman · 10-09-2009 3:07pm

Most decent amps will have an XLR output, but if not just take a line out via 1/4" jack and into a DI box then XLR to mixing desk.

You can go with the bog standard Behringer DI's for about 40 quid or spend the money on something a bit more fancy, although I'd bet most people would fail a Pepsi challenge between the 2 in a live scenario.

That said, Radial make nice boxes.

8k2q1gfcz9s5d4 · 10-09-2009 4:01pm

Thanks, a thomann order is going in this week, im prob going to get a 2 channel begringer DI for bass and an acoustic

madtheory · 10-09-2009 6:24pm

Trya large diaphragm condenser on the cab instead. The 414 is lovely.

8k2q1gfcz9s5d4 · 11-09-2009 10:09am

I only seen the bass amp last night for the first time, there is a 1/4 inch jack output so it will use a DI. It looks wierd (coming from a guitarist!), its a Trace Elliot BLX-80, just a hole in the front for the air to move out, packs a big punch for 80 watts! I think the model in the pic is a newer model, same speaker config though
http://images.quebarato.com.br/photos/big/0/9/123A09_4.jpg

unclebill98 · 11-09-2009 11:54am

Argh.... the eq of death.....

Yep, thats the line out alright.

Dord · 11-09-2009 1:01pm

Hadley Attractive Snobbishness wrote: »

I only seen the bass amp last night for the first time, there is a 1/4 inch jack output so it will use a DI. It looks wierd (coming from a guitarist!), its a Trace Elliot BLX-80, just a hole in the front for the air to move out, packs a big punch for 80 watts! I think the model in the pic is a newer model, same speaker config though
http://images.quebarato.com.br/photos/big/0/9/123A09_4.jpg

I know a bassist with one of those, they're mighty little amps!

8k2q1gfcz9s5d4 · 11-09-2009 1:30pm

the one we use is fairly old, the head is different to the one in the pic, there 2 inputs for active and passive, also to line outs. id say its over 10 years old, its fairly rusty as well!

as for the eq, just gave it a smiley face and it sounded alright

Savman · 11-09-2009 1:57pm

Hadley Attractive Snobbishness wrote: »

as for the eq, just gave it a smiley face and it sounded alright

Dontcha like Mids?

8k2q1gfcz9s5d4 · 11-09-2009 2:21pm

well it was more of a slight grin than a smile

just kept the mids a bit lower than the bass and treble.

godfrey · 27-09-2009 2:43pm

do NOT use a Behringer D.I., single or dual channel. get a cheap passive unit if you're really that short on cash. the Behringers add tons of noise and distortion, have serious phase issues over the entire audio range and will make utter sh!t of any signal passed through them.

artvandulet · 28-09-2009 6:55am

godfrey wrote: »

do NOT use a Behringer D.I., single or dual channel. get a cheap passive unit if you're really that short on cash. the Behringers add tons of noise and distortion, have serious phase issues over the entire audio range and will make utter sh!t of any signal passed through them.

Really? I have a few of them and never had an issue.

You could always order the Samson one for about the same price. Does the job too.

madtheory · 28-09-2009 10:33am

Try A/Bing the Behringer with an EMO or the new BSS, or even the Tapco. You might change your mind

PMI · 28-09-2009 2:13pm

Stay away from silver things that start with Beh........

They're Toys !

+1 BSS

Or maybe an Avalon U5?

8k2q1gfcz9s5d4 · 28-09-2009 3:54pm

Ive heard a lot of people saying the behringer DI is good, followed by I know behringer are crap, but the DI is good for the money.

madtheory · 28-09-2009 4:28pm

Never take hearsay seriously... Just do your own testing. Do a few recordings of a good bass player with several DIs. You'll soon hear what's best

godfrey · 28-09-2009 9:35pm

Studiospares do a nice active unit for cheap as chips. I supplied about 5 to a venue 4 yrs ago and their only complaint was someone nicked one! I've used them myself also.

http://www.studiospares.com/DI-Boxes/Studiospares-Active-DI-Box/invt/448290

as for the B things and heresay, I will never use one again, and have seen the results of Smaart tests on them - scary.

happy recording

madtheory · 28-09-2009 10:27pm

Studiospares? Whodda thunk it. http://www.naiant.com makes a very cool, neat and brill sounding active DI that's the size of a male XLR+Neutrik jack socket.

madtheory · 28-09-2009 10:29pm

O, and it's "Hearsay" not "heresay":
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hearsay

8k2q1gfcz9s5d4 · 14-10-2009 11:05am

right, last question!

got a 2 channel DI, only looked at the manual there, on the manual they recommend this setup:
Bass guitar -> DI (splits the signal) ->From the DI to the Desk, -> from the DI to the bass amp

<a href="http://www.fotoshack.us/foto.php?id=52889bassDI.bmp"><img src="http://www.fotoshack.us/images/52889bassDI.bmp" border="0" /></a>

We were using like this:
Bass guitar -> Bass amp -> DI -> Desk

Is any one of them "better" than the other? I would have thought the way we were doing it was better, as any change made to the bass amp's EQ effects the overall sound of the bass over the PA as well.

Thanks,
Frank

madtheory · 14-10-2009 11:53am

Better to have the DI before the amp. The eq you do on the bass amp will sound quite different in the PA speakers, because you have eq'd it to work on the speaker in the bass cab. You can dial in a more appropriate eq setting for the PA on the mixer if necessary.

PaulBrewer · 14-10-2009 11:55am

Hadley Attractive Snobbishness wrote: »

right, last question!

got a 2 channel DI, only looked at the manual there, on the manual they recommend this setup:
Bass guitar -> DI (splits the signal) ->From the DI to the Desk, -> from the DI to the bass amp

<a href="http://www.fotoshack.us/foto.php?id=52889bassDI.bmp"><img src="http://www.fotoshack.us/images/52889bassDI.bmp" border="0" /></a>

We were using like this:
Bass guitar -> Bass amp -> DI -> Desk

Is any one of them "better" than the other? I would have thought the way we were doing it was better, as any change made to the bass amp's EQ effects the overall sound of the bass over the PA as well.

Thanks,
Frank

One could argue the opposite Frank.

The more trad plan might be the former (that's the idea of the dual outputs)
The eq that suits the bass speaker cab and the stage may not suit the PA feed.
Also what happens is the bass player makes a change ( don't say he won't !) to either EQ or input level?

In the interests of simplicity and control the one to PA and one to amp is the winner every time.

8k2q1gfcz9s5d4 · 14-10-2009 1:10pm

that makes a lot since Paul, Never really looked at it that way. Thanks for the help

Pa the Blah · 17-10-2009 11:05am

For Me I would always mic and Di, Di would generally be pre Bassists amp, on occasion I often try the XLR out of the Bass head and feck with pre post eq switch, but 9/10 I will go for a Clean uncolored DI signal
The eq has a dual purpose for the bassist 1. his sound 2. to monitor himself (OFC) ... the player will eq to his relevant position to cab. often excessively boosting frequencies that are purely for monitoring purposes, this will cause problems at the desk as you end up using your EQ to eliminate what the player is doing, waste of eq!
Using the mic and DI setup is the way to go for a much more detailed sound, clarity and definition from the DI and warmth from the Cab..
Some mic's to try 421, M88, EV 408/308

How to properly DI Bass guitar?

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