Best DI for bass recording

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Simmons

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Would it be worth getting a Sansamp Bass Driver for recording direct bass if I already have a Langevin DCV? Do you guys think I'd get better results going from a Sansamp through the Langevin, or just the DI on the DVC ONLY? I know it's pretty subjective, but I'm interested in the opinions of the people on this forum. I get a lot of useful info here.

By the way...I can't go out and just "try one" because there are none to try where I live.

Thanks,
Simmons
 
I don't know anything about the Langevin, but it seems that everybody who has the Sansamp box (including me) finds it very useful, particularly if you play a passive bass. It seems to be a standard piece of kit for many bass players, right up to pro level. Apart from the EQ controls, the drive and presence knobs give you a big range of sounds without producing anything artificial. It does not have a mid control (unlike the rack mount version) and if you want that smiley shape mid scoop you getting by boosting bass and treble.

It's output does not seem to come fully up to line level unless you drive it very hard, so you might want to use your pre amp as well.
 
Simmons said:
Would it be worth getting a Sansamp Bass Driver for recording direct bass if I already have a Langevin DCV? Do you guys think I'd get better results going from a Sansamp through the Langevin, or just the DI on the DVC ONLY? I know it's pretty subjective, but I'm interested in the opinions of the people on this forum. I get a lot of useful info here.

By the way...I can't go out and just "try one" because there are none to try where I live.

Thanks,
Simmons
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I don't think the SansAmp Bass Driver is the best bass DI, I mean it's ok... but I like the Avalon Design U5 DI better and I really want to audition the GTQ2 http://www.auroraaudio.net/aa_html/aa_products_gtq2.html but haven't gotten around to it yet.
 
i suppose I actually meant which is better....the Langevin alone....or using a bass DI WITH the Langevin.
 
You're comparing apples to waistcoats.


One is basically a straight D.I. while the other is an amp modeler.

One will sound like a direct recording of your bass. The other will give you tonal variations, distortions, and other nuances designed to emulate playing your bass through an amplifier.
 
MrGrooves said:
Try the Little Labs Multi Z PIP
Great little instrument pre-amp with lots of other goodies..
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I've never heard of it before... do you have a link? Thanks
 
sure, check it out here:
http://www.littlelabs.com/pip.html

Jonathan, the owner of Little Labs, is a great guy, products are designed by himself. He also runs a studio in LA called Chalice. Very nice fella.
The box itself is active, but I can be matched to any instrument with pickups, either active or passive, due to its multiple Z selector. Among other things, It let's you interface pro gear and even stomp boxes seamesly with your instrument. It does reamp too. You can even connect an amp's speaker output to it, for more advanced reamping, or use it as a little summing amp.
Even crappy ovations come to life when recorded straight through this thing.
 
MrGrooves, what bass are you using with your "Little Labs PIP 3.0" and how does the 3.0 sound... compared to other Preamp/DI''s? Thanks

That "Little Labs PIP 3.0" insturment preamp/DI box also has speaker re-amp... that's kool. :cool:
 
Well, I'm not a bassist, but I've tracked Yamaha bassists, Fender P bassists and a friend who plays a very nice 5 string Ibanez bass that has passive pickups but an active EQ if I remember right. I really dig the sound of that bass with the PIP, kinda modern chunky tight bass sound.
I think best would be to judge it yourself, as everyone has their own opinions, but if it helps, I can say, comparing to my true systems precision 8 pre and a-designs pre, this thing stands on its own against those too. I don't have a straight preference though, but lately I've been using this box more often, and not only because of the sound (mind you it does sound good) but also because of the interfacing posibilities with other gear.
I've found this box to be extremely flexible for this.
I saw you comment on the Avalon unit. I don't have experience with that unit as to help you with a comparative. The LL box is a keeper in my book because it just plain sounds good, but also because of all the other nifty tricks it does.
The PIP also works great by using it with things like the sansamp or line 6 stuff. Used prior to those units, and then getting an instrument out of it into those units improves the sound of them, at least to my ears. I dunno if this helps or not but there they are, my 2 cents :)
 
Thanks MrGrooves... yeah, I have a SansAmp and Pod and to be honest, I prefer my Mesa Boogie Vee Twin preamp over them, I also love my U5. Anyway, I think I need to hear the LL PIP 3.0... thanks again for your help.
 
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