Gully35 Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 What do you guys recommend for playing straight into the desk for a covers band. Just to reduce equipment used. I have a 2012 USA jazz bass with la bella flatwounds. We will be playing mainly; Van Morrison, Elvis, Johnny Cash, Creedence Clearwater, Mumford and Sons etc. I liked the sound of the Sansamp VT Bass DI but it's not released until May. The MXR M-80 sounds a bit 'metal' on YouTube and I wasn't sure about the phantom power requirement for the Radial J48. Cheers for your help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 (edited) it's a bit pricey, but the EBS microbass II is the best for this imho. it's very neutral-sounding - i never really liked the old "pre-VT" sansmaps as they had to much of a sound of their own (the new ones may be better of course) but the EBS's eq is good, it has speaker emulation and lots of other useful stuff too - i've been using it as my recording preamp for years as well as a live DI. i'm quite a fan, can you tell ? Edited March 1, 2013 by ahpook Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gully35 Posted March 1, 2013 Author Share Posted March 1, 2013 Thanks I'll look it up on the web. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 The Behringer BDI21 is virtually a Sansamp-clone, and new is about £40 or less. It`s one of those rare pieces of kit that comes along that really punches above its weight. Another very good one is the Dave Hall Amps VT1-EQ/DI. Having an actual valve in it, it has a real tube-warmth, and can do either clean, nice valvey break-up, or full gain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Yup, Dave Hall VT1 EQ is a brilliant piece of kit. The DI EQs are really good too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan_da_man Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 And again, DHA VT1 DI EQ or the normal DI-EQ if you're not bothered about valves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thumbo Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 (edited) I use a Radial Bassbone, it's not going to colour the sound in the way a Sansamp does, however it has a really nice clean tone to it. It sounds good on recordings too. [url="http://www.tonebone.com/tb-bassbone.htm"]http://www.tonebone....tb-bassbone.htm[/url] Edited March 2, 2013 by thumbo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skidder652003 Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 Another Dave Hall Fan here! I use this monster http://www.davehallamps.co.uk/page37.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zero9 Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 Phil Jones Bass Buddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 Isn't the Reddi supposed to be one of the best? [url="http://www.adesignsaudio.com/reddi-all-tube-direct-box.htm"]http://www.adesignsa...-direct-box.htm[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydye Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 The sfx m:d2 is hugely impressive and is remarkably similar in sound to the avalon u5 but is way way cheaper at £160 ish! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashwood1985 Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 Yep another hug DHA fan here!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gully35 Posted March 2, 2013 Author Share Posted March 2, 2013 Yes Chris, I think I would like to own a Reddi eventually but they are nearly £700! Sound Awesome though. Something around £200 mark is what I'm hoping for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
51m0n Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 REDDI is one of the best DIs you can get full stop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morsefull Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 Avalon U5 is, I suppose, the industry standard. But £500 ish new Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gully35 Posted March 5, 2013 Author Share Posted March 5, 2013 Sort of torn between the Radial J48 and the SFX m:D2. Can't decide! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudewheresmybass Posted March 5, 2013 Share Posted March 5, 2013 (edited) Only the distortion side of the m80 is a bit metally. The normal side has loads of options and eq available should you need it as well as the colour switch which will scoop the mids. The behringer mentioned above is definitely worth checking out, especially of you like the sound of ampeg. I've used lots of di / pres over the years for this exact purpose, and always come back to the mxr. Edited March 5, 2013 by dudewheresmybass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heminder Posted March 5, 2013 Share Posted March 5, 2013 [quote name='ahpook' timestamp='1362173980' post='1996904'] it's a bit pricey, but the EBS microbass II is the best for this imho. it's very neutral-sounding - i never really liked the old "pre-VT" sansmaps as they had to much of a sound of their own (the new ones may be better of course) but the EBS's eq is good, it has speaker emulation and lots of other useful stuff too - i've been using it as my recording preamp for years as well as a live DI. i'm quite a fan, can you tell ? [/quote] I've played through one and it does sound good, however I would never buy one. It's £250 and made in China - talk about artificial markup! It ought to be closer to £25. A lot of guys use the Tech21 Sansamps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted March 5, 2013 Share Posted March 5, 2013 Microbass II for me. Great bit of kit - everything the SansAmp does, without sucking the life out of your tone. However, you might like the SansAmp tone... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted March 5, 2013 Share Posted March 5, 2013 Loads of good suggestions in here! The Zoom B3 is brilliant as well. Not only has it got a very good DI, but it's also packed full of VERY good amp sims, and effects! For £150 you certainly get your money's worth. (It's got decent Ampeg and SansAmp sims on it too if you're into that sound!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gully35 Posted March 5, 2013 Author Share Posted March 5, 2013 What are the opinions on the Sfx m:D2? It sounds an interesting option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zenitram Posted March 5, 2013 Share Posted March 5, 2013 I just bought one of these, for recording. Probably not the sort of thing you're after though. http://www.orchid-electronics.co.uk/micro.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
51m0n Posted March 5, 2013 Share Posted March 5, 2013 When they are available you could do a whole lot worse than one of these (warning you will need some solder skills) http://www.diyrecordingequipment.com/store/kits/ferrite-passive-di/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted March 5, 2013 Share Posted March 5, 2013 [quote name='heminder' timestamp='1362517505' post='2000750'] I've played through one and it does sound good, however I would never buy one. It's £250 and made in China - talk about artificial markup! It ought to be closer to £25. A lot of guys use the Tech21 Sansamps. [/quote] ymmv, of course... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BTGAndy Posted March 5, 2013 Share Posted March 5, 2013 The MXR M80 gets my vote, it has a good range of sounds and is ruggedly built. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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