Evil Undead Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 I'm comparing two at the moment but am stuck on which one would be the right one for me. The reason I want one is basically just to sit in my gig bag in case my amp goes bananas during a gig one night. I can't lug around a backup amp so just need something to put me through the PA in case I need it. I play a passive Fender. There's the Behringer Ultra-DI DI100 - this one's tempting as it's cased in metal, has phantom power and 9V battery options, and has very good reviews. And it looks very simple to use which is a bonus for me as I'm not a knob twiddler. But, will it do what I need it to do - just to get the sound of my bass out to the audience if I have no amp for any reason? [url="http://www.behringer.com/ES/Products/DI100.aspx"]http://www.behringer.com/ES/Products/DI100.aspx[/url] Or the Behringer BDI21 - this has been recommended to me by a few guys on here, but I'm not sure. I don't know whether I'll need amp modelling (I'm really that clueless!), plus it's cased in plastic, and operates only by 9V battery or AC power supply which I can't be doing with - rummaging for plug sockets on a dark stage whilst the audience is waiting wouldn't be my thing haha! [url="http://www.behringer.com/de/Products/BDI21.aspx"]http://www.behringer.com/de/Products/BDI21.aspx[/url] Help me basschatters, you're my only hope! (Geeky Star Wars reference there) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_S Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 For emergency use, I'd go for a basic DI without modelling and let the desk do its job. After all, as soon as you've given a sound engineer a feed to play with, they'll try to make it sound how they want irrespective of your wishes (especially so if you're on stage, mid-set with a knackered amp and hence unable to argue) so you might as well make it a clean feed. The DI100 is fine, but the DI20 is a couple of quid cheaper, lighter, smaller, still takes phantom power or a 9v battery, still metal cased, links out on both XLR and 1/4" jack when used as a splitter and is capable of stereo / dual mono when you don't need to link out. Very handy little box! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudpup Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Bass Direct have a secondhand Hartke VXL bass attack listed on their website for 50 quid. Ive got one and theyre great bits of kit. Might be worth a sniff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted June 2, 2012 Author Share Posted June 2, 2012 Ed_S thanks for the reply. I hadn't seen that one before but looks interesting. Are you able to tell me how I would connect it up (yes, again, I really am this clueless!) Bass in which socket, and which socket out to the mixer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted June 2, 2012 Author Share Posted June 2, 2012 [quote name='Mudpup' timestamp='1338632608' post='1677367'] Bass Direct have a secondhand Hartke VXL bass attack listed on their website for 50 quid. Ive got one and theyre great bits of kit. Might be worth a sniff. [/quote] Hey! I can't see it on the site, do you have a link? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 The reason I like the BDI21 is that if my amp "goes" I`ve still got a bass-amp sounding bass coming from the pa, rather than just the eq of the pa. Plus it`s also a nice little recording tool as well. Also not being a twiddler, I just leave all controls at midday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 [quote name='Ed_S' timestamp='1338632437' post='1677362'] The DI100 is fine, but the DI20 is a couple of quid cheaper, lighter, smaller, still takes phantom power or a 9v battery, still metal cased, links out on both XLR and 1/4" jack when used as a splitter and is capable of stereo / dual mono when you don't need to link out. Very handy little box! [/quote] A friend of mine uses the DI20s when doing sound, and personally I don't like them very much. The switch arrangement for the link output can cause confusion on a dark stage and the ground lift doesn't seem to work in the expected way. We had ground loop hum using a DI20 which wouldn't go away even with the ground lift on, but dissapeared once we changed to a Samson DI and lifted the ground. I carry an old BSS AR116 myself, but I know sound guys will usually prefer to stick with their own boxes as that's one less variable for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted June 2, 2012 Author Share Posted June 2, 2012 (edited) We've never used a sound guy. We're a little pub band and the singer owns the mixer and PA. Edited June 2, 2012 by Evil Undead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 [quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1338633302' post='1677379'] The reason I like the BDI21 is that if my amp "goes" I`ve still got a bass-amp sounding bass coming from the pa, rather than just the eq of the pa. Plus it`s also a nice little recording tool as well. Also not being a twiddler, I just leave all controls at midday. [/quote] Unless this unit is also adding some "drive" I would have thought that the EQ on the desk would be more flexible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted June 2, 2012 Author Share Posted June 2, 2012 [quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1338633302' post='1677379'] The reason I like the BDI21 is that if my amp "goes" I`ve still got a bass-amp sounding bass coming from the pa, rather than just the eq of the pa. Plus it`s also a nice little recording tool as well. Also not being a twiddler, I just leave all controls at midday. [/quote] You do make a convincing argument Mr Lozz do you use it on battery power or with the AC power? Any idea if the batteries would last until the end of a 2 hour gig from new? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_S Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 [quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1338632903' post='1677374'] Ed_S thanks for the reply. I hadn't seen that one before but looks interesting. Are you able to tell me how I would connect it up (yes, again, I really am this clueless!) Bass in which socket, and which socket out to the mixer? [/quote] Sure thing.. most basic setup is to just the left-hand side of the unit as you look at it: bass goes into the CH.1 IN, and the XLR to the desk goes into CH.1 OUT. If you wanna use it for two instruments (your bass and the singer's acoustic guitar or whatever), then set it to 2-CH on the MODE switch and plug the second instrument into CH.2 IN, with another XLR to the desk out of CH.2 OUT. If you wanna use it for one instrument with a feed to the desk and an amp on stage then set the MODE to LINK, bass into CH.1 IN, XLR to the desk out of CH.1 OUT, then use either (or both) of the right-hand jack/XLR to feed to your amp or anything else that takes your fancy. [quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1338633561' post='1677382'] A friend of mine uses the DI20s when doing sound, and personally I don't like them very much. The switch arrangement for the link output can cause confusion on a dark stage and the ground lift doesn't seem to work in the expected way. We had ground loop hum using a DI20 which wouldn't go away even with the ground lift on, but dissapeared once we changed to a Samson DI and lifted the ground. I carry an old BSS AR116 myself, but I know sound guys will usually prefer to stick with their own boxes as that's one less variable for them. [/quote] Interesting... I can't say I've ever had that problem with mine, but then I can't say with any certainty that I've ever tried to use it to solve a ground loop problem... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 (edited) [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1338634183' post='1677389'] Unless this unit is also adding some "drive" I would have thought that the EQ on the desk would be more flexible.[/quote] It does indeed add drive. It's similar to a SansAmp. I like the sound so much I have it permanently in front of my LM250. [quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1338634241' post='1677391'] ...do you use it on battery power or with the AC power? Any idea if the batteries would last until the end of a 2 hour gig from new?[/quote] Battery would easily last out a 2-hour gig (if I can jump in, here!). But I use a mains adaptor - they're only nine quid. Edited June 2, 2012 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 (edited) [quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1338629830' post='1677322'] ...I don't know whether I'll need amp modelling (I'm really that clueless!), plus it's cased in plastic, and operates only by 9V battery or AC power supply which I can't be doing with - rummaging for plug sockets on a dark stage whilst the audience is waiting wouldn't be my thing... [/quote] BDI-21: Sounds great. Get the mains adaptor, too - I assume you'd at least have time to plug it in before you need to play? For £26 it's the world's greatest amp modeller/DI box bargain! If you don't like it, put it up for sale on BC - it'll be snapped up super-quick! But you will like it. Comes with instructions! What I do is set it to 'Ampeg SVT' mode and leave it there! Simples! It's not really used as a stomp box, it's on all the time. Mine goes on top of my amp, so there's no issue regarding its plastic construction. It's pretty sturdy in any case. You won't be jumping up and down on it during gigs. No brainer! Edited June 2, 2012 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 [quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1338634241' post='1677391'] You do make a convincing argument Mr Lozz do you use it on battery power or with the AC power? Any idea if the batteries would last until the end of a 2 hour gig from new? [/quote] I use it with the AC power. As Discreet says, with a pedal like this (which in yours and my case is there to hopefully not be used), have it plugged in sitting on top of the amp - you can also purchase a mike lead to connect to the pa in readiness, then mute the channel. Any probs just switch off the mute switch - bass set to go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leftybassman392 Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 I used a DI 100 for years with no issues at all - bass into the jack I/P, XLR (mic lead) out to the desk, phantom power (no batteries needed), built like a brick s***house, dirt cheap... what's not to like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted June 2, 2012 Author Share Posted June 2, 2012 [quote name='leftybassman392' timestamp='1338636097' post='1677422'] I used a DI 100 for years with no issues at all - bass into the jack I/P, XLR (mic lead) out to the desk, phantom power (no batteries needed), built like a brick s***house, dirt cheap... what's not to like? [/quote] Also sounds very good. Dammit I'm still confused hahaha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 [quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1338644411' post='1677564'] Also sounds very good. Dammit I'm still confused hahaha [/quote] The BDI-21 is £26. The D100 is £25. Get both, try 'em out, and sell the one you're not going to use. I will say though, that the BDI-21 will still give you an 'amp' sound if your actual amp goes tits-up at a gig. This is important if you're doing pub gigs as opposed to big rooms with a big PA. Time to make a decision! NO PRESSURE!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 One more comment then I'll bugger off - I use the BDI-21 all the time anyway, because I love the sound of it. My rig is BDI-21 > LM250 > 1100W power amp > Super Twelve. As Lozz196 said earlier, the BDI can be DI'd to the desk anyway as a precaution, and if anything untoward happens, it's easy for your sound man (or whoever) to switch it in (almost) seamlessly. For bigger gigs a DI feed is taken from it as a matter of course anyway for the FOH. END COMMUNICATION!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted June 2, 2012 Author Share Posted June 2, 2012 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1338644834' post='1677577'] The BDI-21 is £26. The D100 is £25. Get both, try 'em out, and sell the one you're not going to use. I will say though, that the BDI-21 will still give you an 'amp' sound if your actual amp goes tits-up at a gig. This is important if you're doing pub gigs as opposed to big rooms with a big PA. Time to make a decision! NO PRESSURE!! [/quote] Hello, thanks for your help Potential stupid question alert - what do you mean by "still give you an amp sound"? What does a "non-amp sound" sound like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 [quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1338646688' post='1677605'] Hello, thanks for your help Potential stupid question alert - what do you mean by "still give you an amp sound"? What does a "non-amp sound" sound like? [/quote] Bass > DI Box > Desk > PA will give you the sound of your bass plus EQ from the desk which the engineer sees fit to add. Bass > Amp Modeller/DI > Desk > PA will give you the sound you selected on the box (ie some sort of tube/drive/colouration such as an amp would give you, [i]then [/i]whatever EQ the engineer sees fit to add. But if you're doing small pub gigs, your bass direct into a small desk/PA may well sound... not great. At least with an amp modeller you can have some control over the sound in that situation. All this given you have a reasonable monitoring set-up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted June 2, 2012 Author Share Posted June 2, 2012 So for a small gig, an amp modeller is probably the way to go? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 (edited) As a back-up for your amp, I'd say yes. It's very portable and easy to use. But YMMV, IMHO, EIEIO, NASA, TUC, etc, etc! You should definitely try it as an effect as well anyway, you may be surprised at its versatility... And like I said before, if you really don't get on with it, there are any number of BCers who would take it off your hands. And at the kind of price you're looking at, it really isn't a big gamble. Edited June 2, 2012 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gafbass02 Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 (edited) I totally totally swear by my Hartke vxl too btw Mel, best of all the ones I've tried. (quite a few) Edited June 3, 2012 by gafbass02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudpup Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Link to 2nd hand Hartke VXL pedal here http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Pedals.html Sort of like a Sansamp with a di function too. Great standalone preamp and will add a bit of SVT valveyness if you want too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Yep, I've heard good things about the Hartke Bass Attack too. You pays your money and you takes your choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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