Question about Basses and DI Boxes

[behndy]

huh. i've only used the M80 for a few shows, kinda hated it. but i didn't like the preamp or the dirt, so i don't know if the DI's any good.

i've had alright luck with the Rusty Box, but it just seems to be a bit more full when fuzz comes on if it's mic'd.

[coldbrightsunlight]

I've only ever used it playing around with his rig and liked it ok, never for a gig myself though. Every time I've seen his band he's had a great bass sound, maybe a YMMV thing with different setups.

[Mudfuzz]

My solution was to get a killer amp with a killer di... sorry...

[The4455]

The way I do it is that I use the parallel in/out on the d.i. so, the bass goes into the d.i. then out to the amp or pedalboard via the parallel out and then out via then xlr out to the mixer. I've had great succes with this, but I also like to mic. the bass cab. Or you could always get an amp that always cuts through the mix, i.e. I have a 2x15, it needs no D.I. it shakes the foundation of my house and literally moves the air in front of it, that is the way to go!

[Grrface]

huh. i've only used the M80 for a few shows, kinda hated it. but i didn't like the preamp or the dirt, so i don't know if the DI's any good.

i've had alright luck with the Rusty Box, but it just seems to be a bit more full when fuzz comes on if it's mic'd.

Definitely not a huge fan of the dirt side of it, that's for sure. But I'm a simple man, and the preamp EQ does me well enough for now.

[Eric!]

Tell the sound guy to fuck off and do his job and mic you.

[Mudfuzz]

Tell the sound guy to fuck off and do his job and mic you.

Not always a choice sadly. And sometimes depending on the gig you just have to go "whatever..."

[Ironbird13]

my bassist had an old peavey DI box that went between the head and cab, so that your still DI'ing the amps sound aswell. i'll ask him what it was

[behndy]

Tell the sound guy to fuck off and do his job and mic you.

Not always a choice sadly. And sometimes depending on the gig you just have to go "whatever..."

yer. it's a weird line too. ideally, the sound dooder/layday would listen to what you want, use that coupled with their knowledge of the room you're playing in, and let you know the best way to get shits GOOD. but laziness crops up a lot. and i've had times where i could have pushed the dood (usually sound peeps that are douchey are doods...... but i think that's just a law of averages thing) into mic'ing when they wanted to DI, but i got the feeling they were going to do a worse job being out of their comfort zone.

it IS frustrating as Hawt Nuns That Are Also Your Cousin to spend so much money and time getting TOANZ that you want, then have somebody rape you down to a muddy booming rock thing....... and i'm just saying..... band i play in, i usually take a pretty big chunk of space.... doesn't sound good if i'm jammed down to where they think the bass traditionally goes.

[theavondon]

The rusty box is balanced if you use a TRS cable. And I usually just use that when I have to get DI'd considering I'm using it as a Pre. It sounds meh, but better than nothing.

My ultimate solution: get a big enough amp to where they don't need to mic you.


Doesn't work for most.

[Mudfuzz]

The rusty box is balanced if you use a TRS cable. And I usually just use that when I have to get DI'd considering I'm using it as a Pre. It sounds meh, but better than nothing.

My ultimate solution: get a big enough amp to where they don't need to mic you.


Doesn't work for most.

I've been told " oh I'm running you the through the pa so you need to turn your amp down"

[theavondon]

The rusty box is balanced if you use a TRS cable. And I usually just use that when I have to get DI'd considering I'm using it as a Pre. It sounds meh, but better than nothing.

My ultimate solution: get a big enough amp to where they don't need to mic you.


Doesn't work for most.

I've been told " oh I'm running you the through the pa so you need to turn your amp down"

There's this one place that I play at that mic's my cab, and runs it through the pa, and I still get to have my amp cranked! I love that place. They mic fucking everything, and their attitude is "If it's gonna be loud, might as well be even louder".

[behndy]

yah. i have a 1/4 -> XLR mini cable i bring to use the Rusty Box as 1 input into my amp for stage monitoring 1 input to house DI if they won't mic. i like the IDEA of a good sound person having a line to house that sounds awesome for them to get everything sounding great for the crowd while i have control of my stage volume without having to ask "more bass in the monitors please"....... but usually it's just somebody assuming the bass doesn't matter or is going to sound one way all night so a DI is fine.

i've had mixed results.

MOAR EVEN LOUDER IS AWESOME.

[modernage]

Sounds like if this is a common occurrence then it's time to hire your own sound guy.

I just know from experience on both ends of the board (more on the playing, but some on the mixing) that most of these guys probably get paid a very small wage, or in free drinks, and/or have little to no training in audio engineering (other than "this fader does that, plug that into here, don't EVER push that button". Hard to find someone who's passionate about getting a good mix when you have all those things going against you.