Do I need a DI Box if my preamp has a line in for instrument?

[cincy_kid]

Maybe a silly question but if I am planning on recording bass and micing the amp and also going direct, do I even need a Direct Box or can i plug the cable form the bass guitar right into the line in of my preamp?

If I do still need a direct box, one follow up question.

I have been looking at these 2 boxes:

Behringer BDI21 V-Tone Bass Modeler Preamp Pedal at zZounds
Eden WTDI World Tour Bass DI Preamp Pedal at zZounds

My question is, on the Behringer, it says when you hit the foot switch it basically gives you a very clean sound (without any effects on it). Does that mean with the Eden, I am able to use all the cool tones and sounds provided within the box when going direct but with the behringer I can only have a clean transparent sound?

(hope this makes sense)

thanks!

(so many questions lately I know, but that's what happens when I get some more studio funds to spend!)

 

[ocnor]

It depends on the bass and the sound that you are trying to capture. I have an Ibanez bass with active pickups and it records really well just running it straght into the interface. Just plug in, record something, and see what happens before you spend money on a DI box that may not be necessary.