MN
197 posts
Oct 09, 2012
7:12 AM
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For any gig I can't play with just my Marble Max 1x8 amp, I've been playing through the P.A. system via my Lone Wolf Harp Break pedal. Most times the sound guy puts a DI box between the Break and the PA system. I'm thinking about buying one to keep in the gig bag in case it's needed.
Keeping in mind I know jack squat about electronics, what's the industry standard DI box for working musicians? The SM58 of DI boxes, if you will.
If there isn't one, can you recommend a DI that's A) reasonably priced and B) preferably light and small. I get to most of our gigs via public transportation, so portability is always key (hence the Marble Max and/or Harp Break).
Many thanks in advance for your input, guys.
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Rick Davis
784 posts
Oct 09, 2012
8:06 AM
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I use the H&K Red Box Pro, but it is no longer available. I bought it on Ebay back in 2008. Its cool feature is that it can take your amp's speaker tap output and turn it into a low impedance feed that sounds fantastic. That is more than you need, however.
I've also tried the Live Wire DI boxes and they worked great, for not much money at all. These are regular DI boxes that turn a high impedance signal into a balanced low impedance signal.
And to answer your question:
Radial Engineering probably makes the SM58 of the DI world, but they are a bit more expensive.
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-Rick Davis
Last Edited by on Oct 09, 2012 8:14 AM
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HarpNinja
2744 posts
Oct 09, 2012
8:18 AM
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The basic Behringer unit is totally fine. That's what I use. I don't get why pedals meant for the PA don't have an XLR out automatically.
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Mike
OOTB Harmonica Price List
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Rick Davis
785 posts
Oct 09, 2012
8:22 AM
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Mike, good question...
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-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
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Greg Heumann
1809 posts
Oct 09, 2012
9:16 AM
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A cheap Berhinger or Whirlwind unit is fine. All this thing needs to be is exactly the same kind of transformer as in the "impedance matching transformers" we use to connect low impedance mics to amps. You're just running it in the opposite direction so the connector sex is different. A ground lift option is not a bad idea and is common even on inexpensive units.
P.S. - I have never encountered a house sound system where the sound guy didn't have a DI box. They are frequently used to route basses and keyboards to the board. I've never needed to own one.
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/Greg
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Rick Davis
786 posts
Oct 09, 2012
2:41 PM
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Greg, I played a club in Denver a couple years ago that had a sound system and sound guy, and no DI boxes we could use. Luckily it was a few blocks from the GC in Arvada, so we dashed up there and bought the Live Wire DI. It worked fine for something like $25.
But you are right... Most places with a sound guy have DIs for use on stage.
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-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
Last Edited by on Oct 09, 2012 2:42 PM
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bonedog569
647 posts
Oct 10, 2012
12:07 AM
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I've got a bunch of behringers and one Stewart - both fine though the more expensive Stewart failed on me after a while - the cheap B boxes stand up pretty well.
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MN
199 posts
Oct 10, 2012
12:15 AM
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Thanks for the input, guys.
Regarding having never encountered a house sound system where the sound guy didn't have a DI box: I'm don't live in the States. And here, especially outside of Prague, all bets are off, so I'd rather be safe than sorry.
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Cole
22 posts
Oct 10, 2012
2:15 PM
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I use a Whirwind IMP 2. Small, cheap, has a ground lift. About $50 most places. I always have one on my pedalboards.
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Cole Stevens
www.colestevens.net
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MrVerylongusername
2423 posts
Oct 10, 2012
5:17 PM
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The last 4 or 5 times we played on a big stage with pro soundcrew they provided me with a Behringer DI-100. That's what's in my gigbag too.
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rainman
20 posts
Oct 10, 2012
5:40 PM
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I like my ART Tube MP Studio Mic Preamp. It can also function as a DI box with impedance matching and preamplification for line-level sources. You can upgrade the Chinese tube and improve the tone as well. I've had mine for several years without issue. And even better,Musicians Friend have these on special for $29.95 with free shipping.
Features:
Analog VU Meter
OPL Output Protection Limiter
Hand-Selected 12AX7A Vacuum Tube
Variable Input and Output Gain Controls
Provides over 70 dB of Gain
+48 Phantom Power Switch
Phase Reversal Switch
XLR and 1/4" Inputs and Outputs
Portable, All-Steel Construction
Excellent as Tube DI
Built-in Brickwall Limiting
20dB gain switch
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1847
281 posts
Oct 10, 2012
9:34 PM
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a good friend of mine felix
uses the art- mic preamp
thru a bassman
it sounds like a harpking
cept it will squeal like a pig
if you are not careful
we lovingly call him squelix
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OkieFats
1 post
Oct 11, 2012
12:19 AM
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I'll Second the ART Tube MP Studio Mic Preamp as a DI. I have a slew of mics so I use one to boost, cut, convert whatever mic I'm using. Keeps me from having to tinker with the amp settings all the time. Swap the Chin tube for a good American 12AX7 tube. You can use different tubes as well depending on how much gain you want. Crank the input and pull back the output and you get some nice tube color if you're using a solid state amp. By the way, Hi Everyone! I'm OkieFats from Tulsa OK.
____________________
I was messing around with the harmonica... but I was 13 before I got a real good note out of it.
Muddy Waters
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rainman
21 posts
Oct 11, 2012
2:05 PM
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Hey Okie Fats, glad to have you on board. I've done business with Mike Peace Route 66 Custom Harmonica from down your way, he's a good guy to do business with and a good player as well.
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bonedog569
652 posts
Oct 11, 2012
11:41 PM
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The art pre amp is just that - a pre amp. It is a gain stage. That is not what you want to use if your looking for a DI box. You may like what it does going into your amp but that is not what the question is.
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rainman
22 posts
Oct 12, 2012
7:59 AM
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Bonedog, I might have been a little off subject but I didn't say it was a DI box, I said it can function like a DI Box and it can. MN is looking for something to use as a interface between his mic, pedals and a pa and I use the Art for this type of setup regularly. The Art has 1/4" and XLR outputs (regardless of the input type) that runs directly to pa without an amplifier. The Art "preamp" will do everything that he's looking for and more and at a great price. I usually use the XLR output which to the sound-man is just another microphone input.
Last Edited by on Oct 12, 2012 3:47 PM
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bonedog569
653 posts
Oct 12, 2012
8:57 AM
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It is a cool little box to know about. $29. @ Musucians Fiend - made in USA. - I wasn't attacking anyone for sharing a good tip. Sorry if I came off that way. Since it was 'seconded' by OkieFats (welcome aboard OF) I was just reminding that it's not a DI and not the "sm 58" of DI boxes which is what MN is looking for.
SM58 = simple , durable, a standard used by nearly everyone
The art needs a power supply. That could be an issue onstage. It will purposefully color or affect the sound. Even at a neutral gain setting it will add some tube color. You may like / want that in lots of circumstances, including how you like to go out to the PA - its just not the purpose of a DI which is to be as transparent , simple and reliable as possible.
But thanks for the tip- at that price it couldnt hurt to have one around.
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MP
2507 posts
Oct 12, 2012
12:41 PM
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i think most DI boxes are just fine since there really isn't much to them on the inside. just make sure you get one with XLR female on one side.
i did come across one once that wasn't working properly.
i gutted most of the components and turned it into a foot pedal on/off switch for harp mics w/out volume controls.
One trick pony. Works great!
Some years ago Kim Wilson used a similar unit designed to do just that.
It was called a Zues, like the Greek god the Romans named Jupiter.
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MP
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click user name [MP] for info-
repair videos on YouTube.
you can reach me via Facebook. Mark Prados
Last Edited by on Oct 12, 2012 12:44 PM
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rainman
23 posts
Oct 12, 2012
3:55 PM
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Bonedog, I certainly didn't take your comments as an attack at all I enjoy your comments and knowledge. A SM58 of DI box's it certainly is not. The place I play the most has the Behringer ULTRA-DI PRO DI4000 Direct Box with 4 inputs and it's solid and very usable.
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Rick Davis
803 posts
Oct 12, 2012
8:41 PM
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I've tried the ART Tube preamp and did not care for it. But what do I know? Kim Wilson uses it when he plays festivals: two Fender 410 Deville amps with an ART Tube preamp, a Kinder AFB+, and a Kinder Mid-Bass Cut.
He is not using it as a DI though.... It is to warm up the tone.
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-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
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