Any recommendations for DI ?

[Brenkoh]

Hi there sound-techies. In regards to recording, are there any recommendations for any DI for electric guitar? My previous set-up was from my POD XT LIVE direct to my computer making use of the onboard preamp. The sound was superb. However, I sold my POD and I'm using my pedalboard(as per my signature) now. Would it better to buy a preamp pedal and plug it direct into my computer or would a DI be better? Or should I get a toneport / ux-1? Also, if a DI is not suitable, what is?

I've just read that DI is more of a pass-through device offering some basic eq/filtering.

Note: I prefer direct input recording instead of mic-ing up my amp.

 

[carboxymoron]

A DI is more for going to PA systems / monitors / speakers, when not using an amp. So DIs designed for guitar simulate the frequency response of an amp and/or cab. The output will be 1/4" or XLR... meaning you still need an audio interface to connect to oyur computer. So get an audio interface. If you want you can always experiment with a DI after that, or you can just use software amp and cab simulators.

Note that most "preamp" pedals with the word "preamp" in their name are actually not preamps at all, but just normal overdrive circuits. They just call them that to add the illusion of being amp-like because people pay stupid prices for anything supposedly amp-like or tube-like.

 

[daryle]

A D.I still needs an audio interface for recording.

An audio interface does not need a D.I for recording.


Regardless of whether or not you're using a pedal board, a D.I will still need to be used together with some sort of Audio Interface if you want the kind of good sound you used to get out of the xt live.

My advice is to forget the D.I, and get a reasonably good audio interface. If you're on a budget, the POD Studios will do just fine.

On a sidenote, you may also find that better results can be produced using on-board effects from the Line 6 software, as opposed to combining your pedalboard with an audio interface.

 

[Brenkoh]

The thing is I've sold my POD XT Live so all my POD software on my laptop is not of much use. Besides, I've reformatted and installed Ubuntu on my laptop. What are some audio interfaces that you guys may recommend?

Sidenote: Is there a software for amp/cab simulation where I can run my raw sound into the laptop? So it's as if my laptop renders an "onboard" preamp.

Guitar > Pedalboard > Laptop (mic input) > Guitar Cab Simulation + Recording?

 

[an2]

I personally don't know much about the recording and what above... But bro, I've been using the Radical Engineering Pro 48 DI Box (google, sure have.) for the past year. Its been kicked, thrown, bashed, stepped on, used as paperweight, used to tilt amps up... and its still brand new =D

I use the DI Box to send the signal straight to the mixer, then from there it goes to the hall monitors + speakers. I guess that would be its only purpose? From there the mixer sends the sound out to my laptop straight so thats how I record some stuff =P

 

[Brenkoh]

I found an interesting website which has some amp emulation software.

Check it out : http://freemusicsoftware.org/category/free-vst-effects-2/amp-simulators

 

[carboxymoron]

There are LOTS of free amp sims, and cab sims. Now there's this thing called IR (Impulse Response) that is more and more popular as well. And yes, you should be going pedalboard > audio interface > DAW / recording software (with your software effects, amps, etc. running as plugins) Really no need for any so called "preamp" pedal or DI or other gear.

Audio interface wise, since you're using Ubuntu, better do your own research about available drivers.

 

[xfigox]

like what carboxymoron said, you don't need a DI.

You just need an audio interface that accepts instrument inputs. Been using Pod Farm in my DAW, with my guitar plugged through the firebox, for a pretty long time. If you're looking for free good amp sims, check out LePou plugins and also TSE stuff. The TSE peavey model is infact one of the best I've heard around, coupled with the TSE808, you can get really awesome high gain stuff (assuming you're gonna use it for high gain stuff).

 

[daryle]

The thing is I've sold my POD XT Live so all my POD software on my laptop is not of much use. Besides, I've reformatted and installed Ubuntu on my laptop. What are some audio interfaces that you guys may recommend?

Sidenote: Is there a software for amp/cab simulation where I can run my raw sound into the laptop? So it's as if my laptop renders an "onboard" preamp.

Guitar > Pedalboard > Laptop (mic input) > Guitar Cab Simulation + Recording?

Direct into Laptop (mic input) will work but you might not like the result. Won't sound as clear and well defined as an audio interface.

Anyway, what i was trying to say was: if you get a pod studio (or any other audio interface for that matter), you'll get another set of software, and another set of software effects. I wasn't referring to your old Pod XT effects.

Also, i want to reiterate that your pedal board (Xotic BB Preamp > Cmatmods Brownie > Arion SCH-Z Chorus > Boss DD-20), may not sound good if it is used with anything else other than an amp. These pedals were designed mostly to be used together with guitar amplifier circuits.

So, when you're considering what gear to buy for recording, i suggest you don't take your pedalboard as a factor. You'll be able to make a more sound decision this way.

 

[Brenkoh]

Alternatively, I can opt for a shure mic and record the output from my amp instead.

 

[VidaK]

Alternatively, I can opt for a shure mic and record the output from my amp instead.

definitely! this method should give you the best result when done correctly

 

[Brenkoh]

Guess I'll have to do some reading up on the mic placement, positions and recording techniques etc ! Hehe ! But a shure mic is shurely out of my budget :/