Can a good DI improve your modeler SONICALLY?

Discussion in 'Digital & Modeling Gear' started by serviviente7, May 21, 2011.

  1. May 21, 2011 #1
    serviviente7

    serviviente7 Member

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    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?
     
    serviviente7, May 21, 2011
    serviviente7, May 21, 2011
    #1
  2. May 21, 2011 #2
    AndrewSimon

    AndrewSimon Member

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    UA Solo 610 will do it, guaranteed!


    :beer
     
    AndrewSimon, May 21, 2011
    AndrewSimon, May 21, 2011
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  3. May 21, 2011 #3
    s0c9

    s0c9 Member

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    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!
     
    s0c9, May 21, 2011
    s0c9, May 21, 2011
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  4. May 21, 2011 #4
    AndrewSimon

    AndrewSimon Member

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    Right.... but what a glorious color

    :aok
     
    AndrewSimon, May 21, 2011
    AndrewSimon, May 21, 2011
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  5. May 21, 2011 #5
    Pietro

    Pietro 2-Voice Guitar Junkie and All-Around Awesome Guy

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    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.
     
    Pietro, May 21, 2011
    Pietro, May 21, 2011
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  6. May 21, 2011 #6
    s0c9

    s0c9 Member

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    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. :aok
     
    s0c9, May 21, 2011
    s0c9, May 21, 2011
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  7. May 21, 2011 #7
    serviviente7

    serviviente7 Member

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    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?
     
    serviviente7, May 21, 2011
    serviviente7, May 21, 2011
    #7
  8. May 21, 2011 #8
    s0c9

    s0c9 Member

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    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.
     
    s0c9, May 21, 2011
    s0c9, May 21, 2011
    #8
  9. May 21, 2011 #9
    serviviente7

    serviviente7 Member

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    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.
     
    Last edited: May 22, 2011
    serviviente7, May 21, 2011
    serviviente7, May 21, 2011
    #9
  10. May 24, 2011 #10
    scotchtape800

    scotchtape800 Member

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    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.
     
    scotchtape800, May 24, 2011
    scotchtape800, May 24, 2011
    #10
  11. May 24, 2011 #11
    coderKen

    coderKen Supporting Member

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    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?
     
    coderKen, May 24, 2011
    coderKen, May 24, 2011
    #11

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