Can a good DI improve your modeler SONICALLY?

[serviviente7]

I have been thinking this for a while and and will like to know your opinion on this. I know that quality DI's will perform better, last longer, ect, BUT will it improve your sound??? Anyone have gone thru and experience where one DI sounded like crap and then you used another one and it help the TONE of your MODELER?

 

[AndrewSimon]

UA Solo 610 will do it, guaranteed!

 

[s0c9]

UA Solo 610 will do it, guaranteed!

Except that's not a DI.. it's a pre-amp! and of course it will 'color' your sound...
A good DI should be transparent.. it's sole purpose is to convert hi-Z to lo-Z signal. So basically, the answer to the OP's question is no!

 

[AndrewSimon]

Except that's not a DI.. it's a pre-amp! and of course it will 'color' your sound...
A good DI should be transparent.. it's sole purpose is to convert hi-Z to lo-Z signal. So basically, the answer to the OP's question is no!

Right.... but what a glorious color

 

[Pietro]

I have tried a couple and find that a Whirlwind Imp2 is as good as anything.

That said, I also discovered that, apparently, the POD HD 500 sounds BETTER through a direct box than using the built-in XLR outputs... Can't say why, can't prove it, but it sounds better to my ears.

 

[s0c9]

I have tried a couple and find that a Whirlwind Imp2 is as good as anything.

Yup.. got them, and a range of others I use (with my PA), all the way up thru the Radial JDI. Honestly, for live work, while the Radial IS ultra-clean.. at the average [bar] gig level, the IMP2 or similar sounds just as good.

 

[serviviente7]

Good to know about that Whirlwind Imp2...will ck it out. Now I am also not only getting intrigue by the DI but will this setup work?

guitar to Avalon U5 to DI to mixer? Will the Avalon U5 work without the mixer?

 

[s0c9]

guitar to Avalon U5 to DI to mixer? Will the Avalon U5 work without the mixer?

Why the DI? You don't need it with the U5. It has both mic and line level XLR outs.. either one connected to a mixer channel should be fine. Line level will likely require a "pad" capability on the mixer channel, so I'd use the mic level XLR out - if it were me.

 

[serviviente7]

yeah i am thinking about that AVALON to use it with my HD400 and also my real gig....amps,,pedals,,, It is expensive as heck but that being a preamp will color your sound no doubt. I guess the answer to my DI question is NO. Dang it then i find it hard to spend $200.00 for a DI box if it will NOT improve your sound.

 

[scotchtape800]

Yeah, it's more to retain the sound you have...

The whole point is when you convert it to low impedance for long cable runs / mixer inputs, you have something to do that with.

If you don't have a good one you're forever relying on what's lying around... which is inevitably a crap yorkville DI that cost $2 to make.

 

[coderKen]

I have tried a couple and find that a Whirlwind Imp2 is as good as anything.

That said, I also discovered that, apparently, the POD HD 500 sounds BETTER through a direct box than using the built-in XLR outputs... Can't say why, can't prove it, but it sounds better to my ears.

What do you mean when you say "better"? I'm wondering if it's because the mono 1/4" out is summed and the xlr outs are not?