Recording bass Should i get a DI box?

[Spin Doctor]

Should I buy a DI box to use for when I record my bass parts? Right now i plug straight in to my Boss digital 8 track. And it doesn't sound all that great.

[lbanks]

Originally Posted by Spin Doctor

Should I buy a DI box to use for when I record my bass parts? Right now i plug straight in to my Boss digital 8 track. And it doesn't sound all that great.

Yeah, a DI will make your task easier.

[Spin Doctor]

Sans Amp
Bass Driver DI
Tech 21 * NYC

There's one of these Sans Amps on Ebay for around $100 used. Would this be sufficient?

[lbanks]

I haven't used any of those, but they all have pretty good rep. The Sans Amps seem to be well favored.

[Creamyapples1]

I was debating a DI box, I recently picked up an Aquilar external bass pre-amp and my bass tracks took a giant step forward. Very impressed.

[Spin Doctor]

Where the FUCK is Wheelersburg?

[Creamyapples1]

bout 20 minutes East of Portsmouth, right along the Ohio River.

[uobio_sound]

look im looking forward to set up a little newbee and cheap home studio to start recording some music(like everyone here)but first i need ti know what everything does.now im trying to understand how a direct box works.is it a filter, is it a gate or its just a signal improver that has some factoryset parameters(eq, noise gate,etc)all compressed into a cheap and small box that does it all?
thanks for any help guys.

[lbanks]

Copied from the Whirlwind website:
"Direct boxes are often referred to as "DI" boxes. This stands for "Direct Injection" as their main purpose is to convert unbalanced and/or high impedance instrument signals into a format suitable for direct connection to a mixing console - without the use of a microphone.

In 1981, Whirlwind developed and produced the first commercially available Direct Box in the audio industry."

[bennychico11]

Originally Posted by Spin Doctor

Where the FUCK is Wheelersburg?

wow, someone has a huge animosity towards locations of cities.

[Dags]

Originally Posted by Spin Doctor

Should I buy a DI box to use for when I record my bass parts? Right now i plug straight in to my Boss digital 8 track. And it doesn't sound all that great.

Hi SD

Maybe a preamp of some sort would be better. This will boost the signal in order to get a decent volume for recording.
As far as I know, a D.I. box is mainly used for converting unbalanced signals to balanced. They generally get used for synths or sub-mixers on stage so that the unbalanced output can be turned into balanced and then XLR cables can run to the PA.

Dags

[lbanks]

I believe the sansamp has a preamp function.

[Dogman]

I have the Sansamp, and it sounds pretty good. It can be driven pretty dirty, or real clean. If you want to hear a sample, Here is a tune I started today..
The Electric Gumby

[uobio_sound]

Originally Posted by Dogman

I have the Sansamp, and it sounds pretty good. It can be driven pretty dirty, or real clean. If you want to hear a sample, Here is a tune I started today..
The Electric Gumby

i ve just listen to the sample and i liked it.you got a preety god set up there.may i ask what guitar are you using?
thanks

[notCardio]

The Sans Amp is a fairly univerally used and respected DI. Aside from micing an amp, your other options are going from a mixer (not much better than your current setup, and if you don't already have a mixer and don't need one otherwise, don't bother) or another DI. Most of the professional and semi-pro bass DI's are considerably more expensive. A lot of guys swear by the ART Tube MP, which is really supposed to be a mic pre but also has a DI function, as an excellent DI for bass. They're pretty cheap, too. Look them up at Musician's Friend. If you can get a Sans Amp for that price (and it works and all that), I'd say that's the way to go.

[notCardio]

it depends a little on what kind of sound you're going for. Also, do you have a bass amp and if so, does your amp have a line out?

[notCardio]

what's the whole setup?

[sile2001]

Originally Posted by Cardioidpotent

A lot of guys swear by the ART Tube MP, which is really supposed to be a mic pre but also has a DI function, as an excellent DI for bass. They're pretty cheap, too. Look them up at Musician's Friend. If you can get a Sans Amp for that price (and it works and all that), I'd say that's the way to go.

I tried out the ART Tube MP for a couple of days on my setup and was very-less-than-impressed with it. It had no punch to it, no definition, no nothing. Just sounded flat and dull and lifeless. I took it back, spent a few extra $ and got the SansAmp, and never looked back. For live, I still always use my amp whenever the environment allows, but whenever I need to I have no hesitation about switching back to the SansAmp.