Best DI advise required

[CJ1973]

Could someone advise me on the best stereo DI I could purchase that would give me a professional quality recording. The purpose of the DI would be:
1. For Sampler/Keyboards before hitting the 'MIC' on the Preamps. My pres include Demeter VTMP2A/Focusrite/Vintech X73i/Yamaha 02R pres.
2. Bass, before hitting the Preamps.
What do the professionals use? Ive heard of Radial as well as Manley and Demeter make some as well. Any recommendations?
Thanks!

[travisbrown]

Radial JDI Duplex is a good stereo box. Radial JDI Duplex Mk4 stereo passive direct boxes

I'd get two singles though. Then you can split them up if you need to.

I like Radial JDIs and Countryman Type 85s. A couple of them is a good set of DIs.

[Funk Dracula]

Radial +1

[johnbohn]

Totally agree with the Radial.

[entropy]

+2 on the Radial

2 x A Designs Reddi (but hey, I'm biased )

[heisleyamor]

will going into a Radial direct box make a big difference on my bass recordings? I normally just go straight into the instrument input of my firepod. It would still have to go through the presonus preamp and A/D converters though :-(...but still, will it make the bass better u think? I also have the Ampeg Bass plugin

[Kiwiburger]

The JDI is excellent for bass. Most low end preamps don't have transformers, and some high end preamps with transformers will bypass them if you use the instrument inputs. So either way, the JDI can put a true high end transformer into the loop for a very little money.

I have a Neve 5012, API A2D's and Joe Meek VC TwinQcs - all except the Neve have instrument inputs, but I prefer the sound of using the JDI into the mic input.

Get one for bass anyway, and then you will know if you like them for keys and other stuff. I've got 4.

[heisleyamor]

would you just run it straight from the bass to the DI? or from the bass amp head to the DI ?

[Snatchman]

Originally Posted by heisleyamor

would you just run it straight from the bass to the DI? or from the bass amp head to the DI ?

You could run straight to the DI from the Bass. Then if you want to/need to, mic the Bass cabinet. Good luck........

[CJ1973]

Would it be more practical to have 2 single channel DIs Or a Stereo channel DI? If so, which Radial JEnsen transformer fitted DI would you recommend?

[CJ1973]

If I was to purchase Radial JDI Duplex for the keys, would it add color or keep my sound fairly transparent if I go from the JDI into my Demeter VTMP2a, which has an ethereal kind of a sound. Please anyone??

[andygomez]

+3 for Radial I have a J48 and love it.

[CJ1973]

Hey Andy
What do you use the J48 for?
Also would you recommend the JDI Duplex or a Manley DI with my Demeter VTMP2a Preamps for Keyboards?

Thanks

Originally Posted by andygomez

+3 for Radial I have a J48 and love it.

[andygomez]

I use it for Bass mostly i prefer active DI's for this. I know this DI better than than the JDI and have not used the Manley its a little out of my reach,

I feel the Manley might color the sound more?.. than the J48 or even the JDI. personally I have felt that DI's should give you what you put into them and just do their job. I like to color with Mic Pre's and if I want to do that I will run things through my LA610 I really like what it does to bass guitars also direct into the DI input of it.

I also like using the J48 with the XAmp and use guitar FX pedals as inserts with snair drums I like to put the MXR OCD pedal on snair. (was it an MXR im not near it at the moment) EDIT: Fulltone that was it I was WAY OFF!! insert:... Jim Carrey

I also love the way they are built. I know if I gave it to my brother to take with him to Iraq it would come back as I gave it to him.

[CJ1973]

Hi there
Thanks so much Andy for your thoughts...
I much appreciate it!!! I will look out for the right one for sure!!!!

[heisleyamor]

how do u use DI AND mic the cab? do you get a splitter and go from the bass to the di and the bass to the amp?

[andygomez]

DI's normally have a parrallel out right next to you intrument input this is wired in parallel to the input take that out and plug into the amp. put mic on amp cab and use whichever mic pre you want

[nynofi]

Originally Posted by CJ1973

Would it be more practical to have 2 single channel DIs Or a Stereo channel DI? If so, which Radial JEnsen transformer fitted DI would you recommend?

Hi. With the JDI Duplex you get two DIs in one box. Tidy. Eventually though, you might need to DI a bass on one side of the studio and a mono keyboard across the room - two single JDIs would be better then. Depends on how you record.

Just make sure you get one of the following: JDI, JDI Duplex or JD6. ONLY these are fitted with Jensen transformers.

I use mine with synths all the time. Nice!

[warhead]

More love here for the Radial JDI, my favorite passive DI ever.

It's not really going to "color" your sound, your choice of preamp however will make a difference.

War

[Chris Doremus]

Nobody has said Avalon U5 for bass is really great. I hate talking up gear cause sound is so many other aspects but it is the best DI I have heard on a bass in the 2 years of sessions I have experienced at professional studios...for whatever that is worth.

[CJ1973]

Hi
It seems like you could have a set up im looking to create. I hope you can advise me. I have synths and hardware samplers. At the moment they are running into my 02R. However i was hoping to patch them and have a JDI pair or Duplex hooked up to my Demeter VTMP2a Or my potential Pacifica or Vintech pre and send the JD out into the Mic inputs of these Pres for some color. Could you advise me about your 'chains' you use for your synths and what synth you use which pre/DI boxes for.?
I think you advise would be great!
THanks!

Originally Posted by nynofi

Hi. With the JDI Duplex you get two DIs in one box. Tidy. Eventually though, you might need to DI a bass on one side of the studio and a mono keyboard across the room - two single JDIs would be better then. Depends on how you record.

Just make sure you get one of the following: JDI, JDI Duplex or JD6. ONLY these are fitted with Jensen transformers.

I use mine with synths all the time. Nice!

[heisleyamor]

Avalon U5 IS great on bass from what I hear. I'm pretty sure it was used on John Mayer's "continuum" CD...and we all know how fat of a bass sound there is on that album

[deve]

radial jdv or jdi. I also like pro di. It sounds almost as good as jdi for half the price.

[mmcfarlane]

Has anyone compared the JDI to the ProDI? I have 3 ProDIs and 4 J48s and am trying to decide if I should get a couple JDIs.

What instruments did you compare? What were the results?

[deve]

I own both: jdi and pro di. I recorded bass with both of them using api312 and pacifica. Let me put it this way: I would have been very very happy with pro di if I didn't know jdi has existed.

[Snatchman]

Originally Posted by Chris Doremus

Nobody has said Avalon U5 for bass is really great. I hate talking up gear cause sound is so many other aspects but it is the best DI I have heard on a bass in the 2 years of sessions I have experienced at professional studios...for whatever that is worth.

I agree that sound is in the beholder's ear and not trying to start anything. I have the U-5, Duplex, Ditto, Hot Box, etc., but I pick the U-5 up last for Bass. (actually last for most things.....) It sounds good, but not exciting to "ME" ( note I said me..), as the others mentioned. The Hot Box sounds closer to the U-5 for a lot less money!..(YMMV)

[CJ1973]

Hi Snatchman and others..
COuld you please advise me on which DI to get for my chain as well as a dual purpose with Bass. My chain is this:
Keyboards -->patchbay-->(stereo or 2 mono DI??)-->Demeter VTMP2A PreAmp Mic Inputs-->DAW
COuld you advise what would compliment this set up, but could also compliment perhaps other set ups... My potential options are:
Radial JDI Duplex
Manley DI...
ANy others that would work better for the system?
I primarily use Keys for Strings/Pads/Synth sounds....
Thanks!!!
CJ

Originally Posted by Snatchman

I agree that sound is in the beholder's ear and not trying to start anything. I have the U-5, Duplex, Ditto, Hot Box, etc., but I pick the U-5 up last for Bass. (actually last for most things.....) It sounds good, but not exciting to "ME" ( note I said me..), as the others mentioned. The Hot Box sounds closer to the U-5 for a lot less money!..(YMMV)

[Snatchman]

Originally Posted by CJ1973

Hi Snatchman and others..
COuld you please advise me on which DI to get for my chain as well as a dual purpose with Bass. My chain is this:
Keyboards -->patchbay-->(stereo or 2 mono DI??)-->Demeter VTMP2A PreAmp Mic Inputs-->DAW
COuld you advise what would compliment this set up, but could also compliment perhaps other set ups... My potential options are:
Radial JDI Duplex
Manley DI...
ANy others that would work better for the system?
I primarily use Keys for Strings/Pads/Synth sounds....
Thanks!!!
CJ

Hello. As mention before, getting the Duplex ( which really is a nice DI) would depend on whether you would need to separate the two channels ( like needing two separate DI inputs, on different sides of the building, another room,etc.). If you are going to " dedicate" the Duplex for stereo signals, or two different sources close to each other, it'll be good! As far as it ( Duplex) goes as coloring your sound, it doesn't. It should sound great with your Demeter mic pre. The Demeter might add a little " warmth" if this is what you are after. Good luck...

[CJ1973]

Thanks so much Snatchman for your input. Much appreciated. One last question in terms of cables to be used...
From my keyboards, I send standard audio cables into the patchbay.. From the patchbay, should I be using balanced cables or unbalanced cables into the JDI? From the JDI should I be using balanced or unbalanced Cables into my Mic input of the Demeter? What works when I hook up my AKG C12VR into the Demter mic input is a balanced cable. From the Demeter to the RME Multiface 1/4 DAW, I have balanced as well...
Any thoughts you have would be appreciated.
Thanks!!!

Originally Posted by Snatchman

Hello. As mention before, getting the Duplex ( which really is a nice DI) would depend on whether you would need to separate the two channels ( like needing two separate DI inputs, on different sides of the building, another room,etc.). If you are going to " dedicate" the Duplex for stereo signals, or two different sources close to each other, it'll be good! As far as it ( Duplex) goes as coloring your sound, it doesn't. It should sound great with your Demeter mic pre. The Demeter might add a little " warmth" if this is what you are after. Good luck...

[popmann]

I'm a fan of a handful of different DIs for bass...for different sounds and basses...

U5= clean, deep. Don't plug in a cheap bass.
UA 610= not as deep, but gives a healthy tubey softness. Nice 3d vibe.
RedDI= shallower, still--but, hella throaty and full in the low mids...classic sound.
Great River Me1NV-- Deep as the Avalon, but more foward and "solid" and growly sounding. Very 2d...in a good way.

U5 is king of easy to mix. Add good compressor. Done. Does a good job of focusing the low end of the bass in a mix. If you've just gotta have one...that would get my vote--unless you can use the mic pres in some of the others.

Radial is good as a general DI...but, it's SOOO dependent on what comes after it. All the solutions I've offered will take a bass to +4. Consistent sound.