Hate direct boxes?

[killthepixelnow]

I've read a loooot of posts and I think DI boxes are getting very unpopular. You know, it helps a lot when you don't want to mic the amp beacuse you don't have the adecuate acoustic room or when you're out of budget and time and you don't want to spend all day trying to get the exact sound of a particular amp. I beleive in DI boxes. Don't know if mine is good, I own a Behringer Ultra Guitar with cabinet simulator and it works for me.
So, why does everyone hate direct boxes?

[petermiller]

For guitar there is nothing like micing an amp. For bass they definately have their place. For live. they are a must.

[killthepixelnow]

That's what I'm saying. In a live situation you have to use it but inr ecording you have to posibility to mic the amp AND use the direct box to have two different sounds. Then you can mix it. Hey petermiller Would you mind to tell me how do you use a DI box in a gig?

[petermiller]

Originally Posted by killthepixel

That's what I'm saying. In a live situation you have to use it but inr ecording you have to posibility to mic the amp AND use the direct box to have two different sounds. Then you can mix it. Hey petermiller Would you mind to tell me how do you use a DI box in a gig?

depends on what instrument. Guitar never unless you have to feen an in ear monitor rig or something. Bass always. Straight out of bass and into DI. let him do his own thing with the amp. Just keep the level down on stage. Always on Keys . One for each. Never let a keyboard player make you take an out of his amp if he has multiple boards. Try chasing patch volumes around all night between strings clavs percussion and piano %$#@!#@#$
Sans amp Bass Driver DI on bass, or ampeg tube DI. Radial With the jensen transformers on the keys. The DI on amps usually are not very good. + they are near the input+output transformers of the amp (noise anyone?). Keep the DI's away from the amps on the floor near the cab. Pad down the Bass Input about 10/20db as well as the keys depending on the players or the gear.
hope that helps. Also If anyone is using a percussion module or SPD pad or something without a balanced output then throw one on that as well

[killthepixelnow]

I see... weird isn't? It's a direct box designed for guitar and I should never use it with a guitar? This world is crazy!!!

[fraserhutch]

Oh, fer christ's sake, get over it. Would you like some cheese with your whine???????

You already whined about this in another thread. If you like it, use it. Geez.

[petermiller]

Originally Posted by killthepixel

I see... weird isn't? It's a direct box designed for guitar and I should never use it with a guitar? This world is crazy!!!

I should have been a little more thoughtful. On guitar they would be used on an acoustic with a pickup. As far as electric. Unless you like the sound or do not want to bring a spkr cabinet to a gig, and can deal with the sound coming through a monitor back at you than I have never found myself using one for that purpose. I do know bands that have complete in Ear monitoring systems for the whole band that use the pod or Tonelab and stuff like that with no amps on stage. So if that is any cosolation to you.

[killthepixelnow]

Originally Posted by fraserhutch

Oh, fer christ's sake, get over it. Would you like some cheese with your whine???????

You already whined about this in another thread. If you like it, use it. Geez.

Yeah I want a Merlot with my Camembert!!! You know, there's a lot of persons here who are helping me and giving hints, and I'm very thankful to them. If you want to help, welcome. If you don't, go to another threat. And bring me my fucking wine!

[ssscientist]

Originally Posted by killthepixel

And bring me my fucking wine!

You mean your fucking whine.

You're well on your way to making some lasting friendships here...





.

[killthepixelnow]

Lol, hey ssscientist I don't have a problem with anybody here... it's just that I think some people tend to be... negative. As I said, I appreciate all the advices you people are giving to me. Er... and my english is far from being perfect

[Farview]

Your missing the point. Nobody hates DI's, they just don't use them on distorted guitars all that much.

It just is not prefered. But, if that's what you have, go for it.


If you asked advice about putting together a good sounding guitar rig, no one would suggest a distortion box, crate amp and a DI. It doesn't mean anyone hates these things or that they are bad. It just isn't the best.

[omtayslick]

Originally Posted by petermiller

For guitar there is nothing like micing an amp. For bass they definately have their place. For live. they are a must.

That about says it. However, I do have a Gibson electric guitar with active electronics that sounds better direct when recording. But it is an exception.

[killthepixelnow]

Well, it seems my guitar compressor is useless for my distorted guitar... but I will use it when I have to record a bass (or a keyboard) or to reamp.

Speaking about distortion, do you think I can get a decent sound of a vaccum combo (maybe a tube Fender or Marshall). I'm asking this because I don't have the money to get a real tube head amp and a 4x12 cabinet.

[punkin]

Seriously...if you're going to keep whining , consider a nice Australian Port. It will go so much nicer with the Camembert.

[Farview]

Originally Posted by killthepixel

Well, it seems my guitar compressor is useless for my distorted guitar... but I will use it when I have to record a bass (or a keyboard) or to reamp.

Speaking about distortion, do you think I can get a decent sound of a vaccum combo (maybe a tube Fender or Marshall). I'm asking this because I don't have the money to get a real tube head amp and a 4x12 cabinet.

Yes, you will get better distortion out of a tube amp. Combos are fine. Which one will work best would depend on the type of sound you want.

[killthepixelnow]

Originally Posted by punkin

Seriously...if you're going to keep whining , consider a nice Australian Port. It will go so much nicer with the Camembert.

Lol... a cheese connoisseur in the threat. Thanks for the advice.
Anny other suggestion about vacuum combos?

[punkin]

What sort of music you planning for?

[bubbagump]

Originally Posted by killthepixel

Well, it seems my guitar compressor is useless for my distorted guitar... but I will use it when I have to record a bass (or a keyboard) or to reamp.

Err, the more distorted a signal is, generally, the more compressed it will be naturally as that is what distortion IS. ( I assume we are talking harmonic distortion as related to guitar amps.) I don't mean to be a dick, but you might want to do some reading up on the physics of this stuff. Do a Google on harmonic distortion, voltage rails, square waves, read an article or two on gain staging, learn about impedance, and maybe even vacuum tubes. Once you know the hows and whys behind a lot of these things, it makes it much easier to work with it. You're just asking servely newbie questions, a few minutes fo Google and reading will probably tell you more than we could in months as right now you don't even know the questions to ask.

[MISTERQCUE]

Originally Posted by petermiller

For guitar there is nothing like micing an amp. For bass they definately have their place. For live. they are a must.

What he said!

[metalhead28]

If my DI box had a slightly bigger hole, I would make passionate love to it.

[killthepixelnow]

Originally Posted by bubbagump

Err, the more distorted a signal is, generally, the more compressed it will be naturally as that is what distortion IS. ( I assume we are talking harmonic distortion as related to guitar amps.) I don't mean to be a dick, but you might want to do some reading up on the physics of this stuff. Do a Google on harmonic distortion, voltage rails, square waves, read an article or two on gain staging, learn about impedance, and maybe even vacuum tubes. Once you know the hows and whys behind a lot of these things, it makes it much easier to work with it. You're just asking servely newbie questions, a few minutes fo Google and reading will probably tell you more than we could in months as right now you don't even know the questions to ask.

Yeah, thanks for the advice, I'll search the Internet and maybe get a book on the subject.

[killthepixelnow]

Originally Posted by punkin

What sort of music you planning for?

I play traditional death metal with some grind elements. A reference guitar tone would be Cannibal Corpse's "The wretched spawn" album. Thanks.

[bubbagump]

I think we are comparing apple to oranges here. You are going after a very solid state amp tone which you probably can get close to with a stomp box and a DI like the Berry with a cab simulator in it. You don't want to sound like Stevie Ray Vaughn or David Gilmour which is a tube sound. Again, not to be a dick, but you are not looking for a "refined" tone you might get with a tube amp. You just need a lot of nuts and you might just find that with what you have. This argument has sort of turned into why do you guys hate Coke and everyone comes back and says they prefer wine. Just understand when and why you would use a DI and let your ears do the rest.

[punkin]

Good points...I for one 90% of the time use a DI and amp at the same time. I almost always take a clean track and an amp track. That way I can re-amp or otherwise process as needed. Great for doubling up and thickening (if that's a word) the sound.

[RDMSstudio]

"Fine young cannibals" used a speaker from a cheap radio immersed in a bucket of water to get that amazing guitar sound in "She drives me crazy"... So since when were there any rules about how ANYTHING should be recorded?