Good DI to track down synths?

[Odeo]

Does a good DI unit make a difference to the quality of sound? Can I get away with using an ARX six way DI rack unit or Behringer DIs to achieve a world class recording of synths into my DAW. Im after phat, warm, silky smooth synths recordings maybe, dont know, what can DIs offer to the sound. Just want it to sound good. I was going to spend on a good mic pre like vintech X73i etc. to track synths but if I can cut down costs when all I'm after is tracking down synths, then I would rather go that direction.

Ta

[shikawkee]

Originally posted by Odeo
Does a good DI unit make a difference to the quality of sound? Can I get away with using an ARX six way DI rack unit or Behringer DIs to achieve a world class recording of synths into my DAW. Im after phat, warm, silky smooth synths recordings maybe, dont know, what can DIs offer to the sound. Just want it to sound good. I was going to spend on a good mic pre like vintech X73i etc. to track synths but if I can cut down costs when all I'm after is tracking down synths, then I would rather go that direction.

Ta

A good DI makes a world of difference but certain qualities will reveal themselves over time and/or critical listening. As for the models you mentioned they wouldn't be my choice for "world class" recording. YMMV.

[Odeo]

Please elaborate?

What would be your choice then and why.

[shikawkee]

Originally posted by Odeo
Please elaborate?

What would be your choice then and why.

There's lots of choices but if your synths are crucial to your music don't skimp.

Are you tracking the synths in stereo?
Then you need a 2-channel unit.
Do you want tube or solid state or does it matter?

Radial makes some nice stereo solid state boxes that sound great with keys. There are a few tube boxes out there but they are generally a bit pricier. There's also nothing wrong with buying two really great mono units like the Avalon which is also SS. You have a lot of choices depending on price and features.

My best advice is to try to test as many as you can before you buy and use your own ears.

[Kestral]

shikawkee, is there a specific Radial box you would recommend? I'm also looking for a mono DI box for synths but I'll also be using it with guitar and bass into a Neve 1073.

[Dave Martin]

I'm not shikawkee.. but I have a couple of the J48 axtive DI's which I'm happy using. For more (I think quite a bit more) money, I'd look at the Little Labs MultiZ (that lives most of the time on the output of my Wurlitzer electric piano). And for a lot more money, I've been experimenting with the A Designs REDDY. Apair of them would be very nice... And though it's still in the prototype stage, Shikawkee's own DI with EQ is getting to be very interesting.

[shikawkee]

Originally posted by Kestral
shikawkee, is there a specific Radial box you would recommend? I'm also looking for a mono DI box for synths but I'll also be using it with guitar and bass into a Neve 1073.

Radial makes terrific stufff. I've used their JDI passive mono DI and I have their JDV MK3 and both are terrific. The MK3 has an impedance "drag" feature that adjusts the load on your instrument that's pretty cool.

As Dave M. says, the Little Labs stuff is cool too in the SS category.

The box that Dave mentioned that I'm developing with Valvotronics (thanks Dave) comes in two flavors; a small portable SS box and a 1RU tube box, both with filter EQ's. It will be pretty cool for synths but I'm not sure how quickly you need this box. We only make them by hand in small batches.

If you wanna' see the small box check out the proto' here:

http://www.edpettersen.com/edpettersen/Coileq.html

But like I said before, there are a lot of great choices for you. Try to see if you can try a few before you buy.

Hope this helps. I'll be happy to answer any other questions you may have.

[Shaman]

For synths I´m getting good results with the Avalon U5 DI box.
´The crystal method `seem to use it as well for tracking.

Happy experimenting

[shikawkee]

Originally posted by Shaman
For synths I�m getting good results with the Avalon U5 DI box.
�The crystal method `seem to use it as well for tracking.

Happy experimenting

I like the Avalon box too.
It's worked well for me in the past.

[Boby Stoica]

My choices:
For clean stuff, providing good lows and lots of details, I have a pair of Avalon U5. If I want to make the sounds harder, I drive the signal through a line amp - line in on my 1073 clone

For sweet stuff, including pianos and my Ovatio Collectors guitar, I have a pair of TAB/Funkenwerk tube Dis. Verry good on lowmids, special highs and high-mids, a "coloured" sound wich is verry different from the Avalon's.

[7ciel]

Do you mean that with a good quality output sampler/synth (like EMU ultra serie), going thru the avalon before the neve clone would change a lot in comparison with the neve alone?
And for a guitare/bass, if you compare the mic input of the neve with the avalon-neve line input, is that really better with the DI?

thanks

[airmate]

i'm using the manley stereo tube d.i. in combination with a couple of v72's for tracking synths, rhodes and similar instruments.
it gives you a rich and warm tone. very fat yet precise. highly recommended!

but i also had great fun tracking minimoog basslines with a 1073. just dial in some extra beefy 35 hz - it sounds awesome.

[bap]

I don't use much DI stuff but have them on my Hamptone JFET.

Has anyone tried this ? I like Hampton's stuff and this might be a decent sound at an affordable price.

[Boby Stoica]

7ciel - my 1073 clone has only line input - not instrument input. It's a custom made by CMS Labs - european guyz- clone. So DIing first is a must.
Other clones have DI inputs on their front - so I think it's a metter of choice. All I can say is that in my setup, going line after Avalon U5 makes the signal stronger on the low mids and it also brightens up and gets a bit compressed/distorted. Neve familiar. But adding a line amp after a DI is useful for more soudshaping. Sometimes I line amp after using the TAB/F. DIs, sometimes - esp. on pads and non-dynamic stuff , I go from the Avalons in my Avalon 747 compressor on tube, or A.Smart C2 on crush, or.. just trying different setups with my existing outboard, finding the most suitable nuance on a particular source.

[Boby Stoica]

As for bass, I didn't find a good combo bassguit - Avalon DIs yet. I'm still tracking on my Millenia STT1 DI input.

[Shaman]

I hate to say it after that Egret thread.......but tracking synths through a cranesong Spider with 12 o clock TAPE dialed in sounds even nicer than the Avalon to my ears..........
Sometimes a small dose of VariMu is very charming, sometimes the Spider FAT button does the trick

[Punchmo]

Originally posted by Odeo
I was going to spend on a good mic pre like vintech X73i etc. to track synths but if I can cut down costs when all I'm after is tracking down synths, then I would rather go that direction.

Ta

If you want to cut down costs, you may want to have a listen to a Peavey VMP2. It's an all tube 2 channel mice pre/DI with 48v, a 20db pad and 2 eq controls (100 & 10K) on each channel. It has XLR and 1/4 in I/O's. I use it on stereo synths and my MiniMoog. Sounds great.
FWIW, I have an Avalon 2022, Manley, Requisite and other tube pres and DI's and the VMP often gets used for the synths. The mic pres ain't too shabby either. They are no longer made but can be found used for around $400 to $500 USD.
Hope I've been some help.
Cheers, Steve

[Meriphew]

Originally posted by Boby Stoica
I have a pair of TAB/Funkenwerk tube Dis. Verry good on lowmids, special highs and high-mids, a "coloured" sound wich is verry different from the Avalon's.

It looks as if the Telefunken USA V71S DI is the same as the TAB-Funkenwerk V71 DI. Slap the Telefunken badge on there and the price goes up.






I typically DI synths/keys through either a GT Vipre or API's.

[shikawkee]

I tried the Funkenwerk V71 and while I liked it I didn't like it as much as some other DI's, especially for bass. It was killer for electric guitar though.

[deft_bonz]

Originally posted by airmate
i'm using the manley stereo tube d.i. in combination with a couple of v72's for tracking synths, rhodes and similar instruments.
it gives you a rich and warm tone. very fat yet precise. highly recommended!

but i also had great fun tracking minimoog basslines with a 1073. just dial in some extra beefy 35 hz - it sounds awesome.

you make me horny on a 1073, airmate

the manley D.I. is now on the way, looking forward to it

[faeflora]

Originally posted by Odeo
Does a good DI unit make a difference to the quality of sound? Can I get away with using an ARX six way DI rack unit or Behringer DIs to achieve a world class recording of synths into my DAW. Im after phat, warm, silky smooth synths recordings maybe, dont know, what can DIs offer to the sound. Just want it to sound good. I was going to spend on a good mic pre like vintech X73i etc. to track synths but if I can cut down costs when all I'm after is tracking down synths, then I would rather go that direction.

Ta

No, a good DI does nothing for quality of sound. Yes, you can get away with using Behringer or ARX. If you want world class, just run it through a tube when you're done recording and it'll sound very phat, warm and silky. It's easy to cut corners everywhere because tubes round everything off and sound smooth!

-

The high end isn't about costs!

-

I recommend the TAB-Funkenwerk V71 or their preamps which have DI's also. Another good one is the Demeter DI. It's a little more precise.

[shikawkee]

Originally posted by faeflora
No, a good DI does nothing for quality of sound. Yes, you can get away with using Behringer or ARX. If you want world class, just run it through a tube when you're done recording and it'll sound very phat, warm and silky. It's easy to cut corners everywhere because tubes round everything off and sound smooth!

-

The high end isn't about costs!

-

Really???

[Dave Martin]

Originally posted by faeflora
No, a good DI does nothing for quality of sound.

Umm... not in my experience. Even moving from a mackie line mixer (3204) to a Desk Doctor DI and the line inputs on my console made a HUGE difference.

Maybe I'm not doing it right...

[Boby Stoica]

Haha!

Faeflora - someones will really believe this!


It will be so easy! Everybody should use the Behringers. They use verry good components wich will not degrade any bit of their sound. Maybe will make it .. fuller? That's for sure.

And make sure they use their tube stuff too. Because everything sounds smoother with them.. They have a "warmth" knob, so.. it's gotta be .. well.. warm!

..geez..

Faeflora, put some smileys on your post 'cause it will turn on flames here .

[Kestral]

Originally posted by faeflora
The high end isn't about costs!

There is nothing less expensive than my Neve 1073 that sounds as good to my ears as my Neve 1073. That's just me. That being said, I got some great results with a Summit MPC-100A and these can be had for about $1000 USD used, but compared to my Neve 1073/Urei 1176 combo, it gets completely blown away.

[Teacher]

anyone try the phoenix nice di?

its supposed to be stereo for the same price as the tabs, little labs, etc.

[sixtoo]

synths...
API7600.

[faeflora]

Originally posted by Boby Stoica


It will be so easy! Everybody should use the Behringers.

Plus if you get the behringer you have more money in your pocket. When I have more money in my pocket I can get more CD-Rs to get moore softwares! I like softwares but some people say they are free. They are not because I have to buy CD-Rs and the markers.

[deft_bonz]

Originally posted by faeflora
Plus if you get the behringer you have more money in your pocket. When I have more money in my pocket I can get more CD-Rs to get moore softwares! I like softwares but some people say they are free. They are not because I have to buy CD-Rs and the markers.

LOL

don't forget the shelf and the cases for the CD-Rs and of course the room you have to rent.

[Mike Tholen]

Originally posted by Andrew
I think DI's for synths are overated. The sound source is way more important. Focus on getting the right tone out of the synth. If you have a 'fat' analog sounding synth or even one of the more recent virtual analog synths they are going to sound good with pretty much anything you track it through (provided you have some decent converters).

Obviously, but a synth signal sounds much more detail, punch, and depth by using a DI to go into a mic pre instead of simply injecting into a line amp circuit.