DI boxes, instrument inputs, interfaces etc.

  • Thread starter Thread starter EtherealEntity
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EtherealEntity

EtherealEntity

Dreamer
Hi guys. I am currently using my guitar into a Presonus interface with software for the tones etc.

I understand the need for a DI box if running into a mic pre, but a lot of interfaces come with hi-z/instrument inputs, which I understand serve as a DI box. So I use the two on my Presonus.

First question:
What is the reason behind needing this? I know it's to match the impedence, but what effect does that have? As far as I can tell, plugging into the mic pre and turning the gain up a little more gives the same results as using the instrument input with low gain.
Perhaps the mic pre would even be favourable, to give a bit more preamp 'drive' or flavour? I don't know.

Anyway, what I came to ask is...
A quote from another forum refering to the line 6 ux1
"I also have the UX1, and we did compare dry-tracks i recorded with it...1 track through the Isntrument input, another via DI-box (Littlelabs) though the Mix-Input of the UX1.

DI-Box->Mic Input was such an improvement, it wasnt even funny anymore."

I understand that could just be due to bad converters in the UX1 and the Presonus might be fine.
But yes I'm asking if anyone knows how a good DI box into Presonus mic pre might compare to the Presonus instrument input :)

I'm soon getting a very good quality guitar and want to get the most out of it. Have been considering a small interface with some lovely preamps etc though I don't really know how much difference it would make. This DI box just struck me as another idea :)
 
@ c7sus - Yep well aware of Radial, I had their active reamper. Any reason (aside from the ground hum mentioned) that I should choose a passive over an active? I thought active was better.
But I don't mind so much about specific DI boxes at the moment - just how that might compare to the presonus hi-z inputs, consideirng its going into mic preamps of the same interface. I'd imagine that if a hi-z input was going to degrade the tone, quality of mic inputs on the same interface would do just the same.

@ Murdersgalore - Oh for sure :) But that's not the route I'm going for now. Just sold my 6505+. The guitar/setup etc. I am going to be using is very 'experimental' - and in short the most important thing to me is just getting the best DI signal into the computer.
 
Impedance matching will help get rid of unwanted noise. Why not try the ART tube mp? I have run one of these into a soundblaster audigy before to good effect. Plus, it's only $30. I would think that running them into an even better soundcard or interface would get you satisfactory results.
 
Has the Presonus (you did not say model) got a High Z in or line inputs, if they are line inputs they are not made to plug a guitar straight in? They will work with a guitar plugged straight in but there will be an impedance mis-match. If it's one of the Presonus products with a Hi Z in then no problem.

If they are line ins, buy a DI and plug that into the mic input. Better still for guitar an amp simulator will work great, amp simulators have a line out which will plug into the line in of the presonus.

Alan.
 
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