Does a pedal work as a Direct Box?
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Posted on Mar 05, 2003 10:22 pm
Bruno
The Quiet Minded
Member Since: Jan 01, 2003
When do I need a direct box?
I am planning to record bass directly plugged into the mixer, people say I need a direct box. How does it work? Does an effect pedal (Zoom 506) work as a direct box?
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WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Mar 05, 2003 10:28 pm A direct box is an impediance matching unit. Ok big word that doesn't make much sence. The pickups on an electric bass and guitar put out a signal that is not exactly specked for a line input. A line input has a very specific set of electrical values. Instrument amplifiers have inputs specifically made for instruments. Instruments will work fairly well in some instances with line inputs but not perfectly. A DI box takes the output of the pickups and makes it compatable with the line inputs of the mixer. Some instrument amplifiers have line out options that also will work as a DI box. Some are better than others however. The SWR 750 Bass head has a real nice ballanced line output that allows you to use the heads tone adjustments in the signal path. It's all about matching outputs to inputs.
Hope this helps.
DanMember
Since: Nov 21, 2002
Mar 06, 2003 08:30 am Impedence, eh? dont they have a pill that will fix that?
DanMember
Since: Nov 21, 2002
Mar 06, 2003 08:30 am you should be especially careful running a bass with active pickups directly into the soundcard, you could mess things up pretty bad like that, make sure you switch to passive
Mar 06, 2003 09:21 am Walt and that other Dan :-) hit it right on, but I would like to add that running a DI box AND miking the amp on two different tracks and blending them can build a GREAT bass sound. In addition, if you have tracks and mics to use, putting a mic right on the bass where the neck meets the body is cool to to get a little string and fret noise adds some realism and dynamics to the recording.
WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Mar 06, 2003 09:59 am Probably Dan, but don't you think it makes me sound kinda....impotant!
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Mar 07, 2003 06:59 pm LOL
LokiCone PokerMember
Since: Apr 07, 2002
Mar 09, 2003 10:43 pm LMAO oh god...
BrunoThe Quiet MindedMember
Since: Jan 01, 2003
Mar 10, 2003 01:54 pm SM 57 for miking bass cabs too?
Mar 10, 2003 01:55 pm sure, why not. it's worked for me many times.
BrunoThe Quiet MindedMember
Since: Jan 01, 2003
Mar 12, 2003 09:15 pm What if I dont use a direct box for a direct recording?
WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Mar 12, 2003 10:00 pm Well, who knows! Depends on the pickups on your instruments. Some sound pretty good. Some really benifit from a DI. Try it. If you like it you are probably home free! If it sounds distorted in comparison to what comes out of an amp then maybe a DI would make a big difference. That's the problem with some of this equiptment. You really don't know till you test it.
