Bass guitar DI

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Member Since: Mar 10, 2007

This probably sounds like a stupid newbie question but here goes:-
If a bass guitar is recorded by direct injection with a DI box how is it that with many of the active nearfield monitors used today (most of which have very small speakers) the speakers don't get blown?
After all ordinary bass amps need quite hefty speakers (don't they?).
I'm not technical as you can see but I'd like to know the answer anyway.
Thanks in advance.

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Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004


May 06, 2007 04:56 am

nah, if your system can't reproduce it, it won't harm it (unless you force it)...all systems run at 'line level' so they're already configured to handle that....now EVEN IF your nearfield monitors are properly reproducing those frequencies, you might not hear 'em...that's becuause you could be sitting in a 'null point'..which you will instinctively assume 'i need to boost this frequency' when in reality, you don't.

just match your impedance and your wattage and you'll be in good shape...now weather or not you're hearing/feeling the 'full frequency spectrum' is dependent on your system and the room.

Member
Since: Mar 10, 2007


May 06, 2007 06:47 pm

Thanks very much for the reply. Does that mean (hypothetically speaking) that I could plug the bass guitar straight into the active monitor if I wanted without doing damage?
A bit confused about the impedance & wattage. If they're active monitors (Mackie HR824's in my case)that's all taken care of isn't it?

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


May 06, 2007 06:49 pm

you should be OK. It's not the optimal way to run, but it'll work. You won't get the bass response that the big speakers will give you though, know that.

Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004


May 06, 2007 06:50 pm

nope i do that at home all the time....just remember to start with your volume the way down and turn it up SLOWLY. and yes they're ready to go as long as your bass signal is at line level (either through active pickups, or run it through a mic pre).

Member
Since: Mar 10, 2007


May 06, 2007 07:49 pm

That clears it up fine. Thanks very much.

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