to D.I. or not to D.I?

[Crawldaddy]

Hmm.

Hey all. I'm currently in abit of a fix. I would like to experiment using a D.I. box to record my electric guitar sound, instead of using the traditional miking of amp.

However, the concern I have is whether the sound would retain it's character especially when it's like this:

Guitar > pedalboard (double muff > crybaby > OD > chorus > EQ > vol booster > PS-5) > D.I. box

I'm currently mulling over D.I. possibilities like the Behringer, Tapco passive D.I. boxes which have no amp simulation.

Therefore the following questions I would humbly request to be answered are:

1. how would a "passive D.I. box into a mixer" compare to the "miking of amp" in terms of sound quality?
2. are there any amp or cabinet simulation devices out there locally, if so got recommendation?

The reason for all this is because I'm not using the best amp for recording and I have no decent microphone.

Thanks in advance!

 

[ShredCow]

You need amp simulation. Or at least a speaker sim...

Otherwise, you will really sound like plugging straight from guitar --> mixer... like guitar to PA/Keyboard amp with nothing inbetween.

Look up this brand, Palmer. They make some EXCELLENT speaker sims. Joe Satriani recorded Super Colossal with just the Palmers... no miking!

 

[deathism]

wonder if budget is a constraint.

 

[gsonique]

A DI unit or DI box is an electronic device that connects a high impedance line level signal that uses an unbalanced cable with a 1/4" phone plug to a low impedance mic level input that uses a balanced cable and XLR connector. For example: connecting an electric guitar through a DI box and then to a mixing console's mic input. It performs level matching, balancing, and either active buffering or passive impedance bridging to minimise noise, distortion, and ground loops. (They do not perform impedance matching.) from WIKI...

for distorted or heavily clipped sound a DI is not the way to go !!
I don't see any sparkle even with a bass via DI

Guitar needs that speaker output or else no mojo ....so as Shred says ...get at least an amp/speaker cab simulator ...there are heaps in the market !

 

[Indigo_blues]

the electric guitar will sound too sterile. Definitely need at least an amp/speaker simulator..

 

[ShredCow]

Behringer has a DI with a speaker sim. Super cheap, like 60 bucks.

Go line in with that.


Else, spend a bit more for better/more realistic sounding sim loh. e.g. Palmer.

 

[Indigo_blues]

I thought the triac sounded quite good too.. Quite convincing.

 

[jony]

Actually electric guitar DI into mixer with no simulation of sorts= Yucky yucky tone...

Electric guitars were never meant to sound that way.

 

[Crawldaddy]

Hmm.

Thanks for replies guys... I did check out the behringer ones.. but Luther has no stock. Anyone else knows where there might be stock?

 

[bin4christ]

i've seen behringer pedals at music theme. but that was Loong ago.

 

[wasp]

My Ultra G DI box was bought from ebay coz I've never seen a set in SG before. Cost me around $60 plus with shipping.