What use is there for a DI in an amateur recording setup?

giantslayer · May 25th, 2008, 02:42 AM

A few months ago, I bought a BBE DI-1000 to use with my guitar modeler (Tonelab LE) live. I have since discovered that it sounds better mic'd up through my amp (a Tech 21 Power Engine, which is basically perfect for the tonelab). So now I don't need the DI for that. I want to do some recording eventually. Should I keep the DI around for that? If so, how would I incorporate the Di into a recording setup?

octatonic · May 25th, 2008, 08:23 AM

A DI simply takes a high impedence line level down to mic level.
If you have a mic preamp that does not have a 1/4 inch input (a lot do these days) you put a DI in between the instrument and preamp.

If you already have a DI I would keep it around- they are pretty useful things to have.
Just because you choose to mic up your amp at the moment won't mean that you don't need to use a DI some way down the track.
I have 6 different DI's in the studio- a couple of Groove Tubes devices, some cheaper whirlwinds and an A Designs Reddi (essentially a tube DI).
I don't use them on every project but when I need one it is really inconvenient to not have one to hand.

A word on built in DI's - the ones that are part of channel strips, particularly cheaper ones.
I often find it is better to avoid using built in DI's as they are often an after thought on the part of gear manufacturers.
Using an external DI into the Mic input on your preamp can often yield better results than using the built in DI.

For instance, I have a Groove Tubes VIPRE that has some interesting slew rate and impedence choices when using the mic input- this is bypassed using when using the DI, rendering it pretty much useless at times.

giantslayer · May 25th, 2008, 08:06 PM

Ditto on the cheap DIs. My tech 21 Power Engine is basically an amp designed for use with modelers. It has an XLR out, but it's not very good. It's noisy and the ground lift doesn't help anything. That's why I got the BBE direct box. It's actually a pretty nice DI. I suppose I'll keep it around in case I ever need it.

semitone · May 26th, 2008, 05:35 PM

I have a nice BSS AR-133 direct box that has a 20dB and 40dB pad on it. This pad lets you run the speaker output of your amp into it (the speaker must still be connected!) This eliminates the speaker's tone, but it sounds great.

I connect the AR-133's output to the audio in of my Delta 2496 card. I love it.

TeeBird · May 29th, 2008, 04:02 PM

Got a bass? Handy for recording one direct. I'm no expert like some of these guys but I never mic a bass amp.

May 25th, 2008, 02:42 AM	#1 (permalink)
giantslayer Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Age: 22 Posts: 284	What use is there for a DI in an amateur recording setup? A few months ago, I bought a BBE DI-1000 to use with my guitar modeler (Tonelab LE) live. I have since discovered that it sounds better mic'd up through my amp (a Tech 21 Power Engine, which is basically perfect for the tonelab). So now I don't need the DI for that. I want to do some recording eventually. Should I keep the DI around for that? If so, how would I incorporate the Di into a recording setup?

May 25th, 2008, 08:23 AM	#2 (permalink)
octatonic Tele-Afflicted Join Date: May 2007 Location: An Australian in London. Posts: 1,669	A DI simply takes a high impedence line level down to mic level. If you have a mic preamp that does not have a 1/4 inch input (a lot do these days) you put a DI in between the instrument and preamp. If you already have a DI I would keep it around- they are pretty useful things to have. Just because you choose to mic up your amp at the moment won't mean that you don't need to use a DI some way down the track. I have 6 different DI's in the studio- a couple of Groove Tubes devices, some cheaper whirlwinds and an A Designs Reddi (essentially a tube DI). I don't use them on every project but when I need one it is really inconvenient to not have one to hand. A word on built in DI's - the ones that are part of channel strips, particularly cheaper ones. I often find it is better to avoid using built in DI's as they are often an after thought on the part of gear manufacturers. Using an external DI into the Mic input on your preamp can often yield better results than using the built in DI. For instance, I have a Groove Tubes VIPRE that has some interesting slew rate and impedence choices when using the mic input- this is bypassed using when using the DI, rendering it pretty much useless at times. __________________ "A jazz musician is a juggler who uses harmonies instead of oranges." Benny Green

May 29th, 2008, 04:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
TeeBird Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sebastian, FL Age: 46 Posts: 328	Got a bass? Handy for recording one direct. I'm no expert like some of these guys but I never mic a bass amp. __________________ Kawanga!

May 25th, 2008, 08:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
giantslayer Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Age: 22 Posts: 284	Ditto on the cheap DIs. My tech 21 Power Engine is basically an amp designed for use with modelers. It has an XLR out, but it's not very good. It's noisy and the ground lift doesn't help anything. That's why I got the BBE direct box. It's actually a pretty nice DI. I suppose I'll keep it around in case I ever need it.

May 26th, 2008, 05:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
semitone TDPRI Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: West Chester, PA Age: 58 Posts: 46	I have a nice BSS AR-133 direct box that has a 20dB and 40dB pad on it. This pad lets you run the speaker output of your amp into it (the speaker must still be connected!) This eliminates the speaker's tone, but it sounds great. I connect the AR-133's output to the audio in of my Delta 2496 card. I love it.