A-Designs REDDI DI, grab one?
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Posted on Jul 19, 2011 06:48 am
Kaleb
Member Since: May 31, 2011
thinking about getting a DI Box for recording bass because i've heard it's better to record bass via a DI box via mixer, then it is to record through an amp and a mic. i came across the REDDI by A-Designs and thought that it'd be unreal coz not only is it for recording bass??
my only question is, how do you change the sound of the guitar you are recording through it, it only has a gain on it? can someone explain how i'd do this if i brought one?
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Quincysanhttp://www.unitedmusicians.infoContributor
Since: Nov 11, 2007
Jul 19, 2011 01:00 pm I wouldn't get that unit because it's tube, and I would eventually have to replace the tube. Worse, the tone of the tube will change over time, making it kind of a hassle to get consistent tones. For me, the lack of consistency is what makes me avoid tube when possible
I have used the Tech21 SansAmp DI with great results. However, the best bass tones I've been able to achieve are a mix of DI and mic'd bass. In my experience, it's best to have one channel of bass to cover the midrange portion of your bass tone, and another for the low end portion of the tone. I have had great success with the Tech 21 SansAmp DI for midrange and I use a mic'd cab for capturing the low end (Shure beta 52 about 6 inches from the grill, directly on axis pointing at the cone).
Instead of this REALLY expensive one trick pony, I would recommend the LittleLabs Redeye. Tech 21 Sansamp has a great sound, but if you spend some time with the Redeye manual you'll definitely learn to appreciate its versatility!
www.frontendaudio.com/Pro...amp;click=18920
Also...I fellow I record uses one of these really expensive tube DI's for his bass, in fact the casing looks identical to the Reddi. He loves it, I found it to be much worse than plugging into my API 312 DI. Lacking low end definition and the midrange was muddy. If I were to guess, I'd say it was hyped around 200 hz and 1.6khz. Not ideal.
Could be a totally different story with this tube DI, or maybe my friend needs to replace the tube in his...but just my experience with these really expensive bass tube di's. Most of the time you get what you pay for but eh...maybe not this time
cruxTypo SzarMember
Since: Jul 04, 2002
Jul 19, 2011 09:29 pm I'd have to disagree slightly with u Quincy, firstly, pre-tubes if treated correctly should last for a LONG while, thats y u see them in effects pedal and such, the way their actually driven and stuff, they last longer than power amp tubes, which is wat most ppl r referring to when they get the tubes in their guitar heads changed.
To answer Kaleb, the DI isn't exactly to change ur guitar tone, its to enhance it for recording and other applications. The fact that it has a tube and a gain control will influence the 'richness' of ur tone, but it will ultimately be ur instrument, u would use watever ur giong into (mixer, DAW) to change the tone further. That being said, when u drive a tube's gain, the way it compresses the signal slightly will alter ur tone, sometimes ppl like it, depends like Quincy said. Basically, imagine ur sound being pushed through a hole and having to bend and contort a bit to fit, ur tone might get bassier, or have more midrange, coz the higher gain is making it fuller.
I've actually not seen a ton of ppl use the REDDI, and never heard one myself so i can't really comment on whether or not its good. But its a different animal to the Tech21, which is very good in its own right, but is built more as a complete solution for live playing bass players.
if u have the cash, adn want something like the REDDI, there is always the Avalon units taht seem so popular. In this kind of preamp type situation of the REDDI however, maybe u could just get something like that Golden Age Pre which would also drive ur signal.
Kaleb Member
Since: May 31, 2011
Jul 19, 2011 10:43 pm i hear now what you guys are saying. before i found out about the REDDI, i was thinking about getting the tech 21 sansamp but wasn't really sure if it was for recording stuff as it was for live... guess i may have to go back and have a good look at the tech 21 and the redeye.... cheers
Jul 19, 2011 10:59 pm The purpose of a DI isn't to change the sound/tone, that is what a preamp is for...
Quincysanhttp://www.unitedmusicians.infoContributor
Since: Nov 11, 2007
Jul 20, 2011 12:51 pm So I guess the Tech21 Sansamp DI is a DI/Preamp and the Little Labs redeye is a DI/re-amp box. I've never used a DI that wasn't rolled up with a pre-amp of some kind. I guess that makes the tube circuit even more
In that case, if I were you I'd go with the Sansamp to shape your tone. Sounds great in front of an amp. Connect the 1/4" output to your amp, mic the cab with something like a Beta52 and use the XLR out as your DI and blend between the mic/DI tone. That would work and sound great.
Jul 20, 2011 09:55 pm Sorry Quincy. There are only a handful of DI's that have a pre in them. A passive DI only has a transformer in there. And an active DI has a transistor. The transistor is not a pre, it's only there to drop the signal.
Quincysanhttp://www.unitedmusicians.infoContributor
Since: Nov 11, 2007
Jul 21, 2011 01:20 pm butbubut...I have used the Tech21 Sansamp DI and it does change the tone considerably...
Don't be sorry, ha. being wrong and corrected is the only way I know how to learn, unfortunately
