Live Studio jams/Question about DI Boxes

  • Thread starter Thread starter terrapintaco
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terrapintaco

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I've got a Mackie 1642 VLZ Pro mixing board on the way. I want to set up my home studio for live studio jams using headphones. I'm thinking i'll have 2-3 vocal mics, and the guitarists will use their Pods or similiar direct into the board, and I'll put a few mics on the drums.

My question is: Can the bass go direct into the board, or should a DI box be used? Same question for keyboards.

When exactly is a DI Box needed/useful?

Thanks for your help

TT
 
yes and yes. DI box does impedence matching and balances signal coming from instruments into the board. Basically this reduces hum and interference. However, the bass probably won't sound that hot direct into the board.
 
Yes, but my take is that keyboards will be OK to go direct, as they already produce a 'line' level signal that your mixer will accept.
 
The keys and Pods will be fine. Try the bass and see. You might prefer a DI or bass preamp. If it's just for jamming direct will probably work fine.

The main use for DI boxes is to convert an UNbalanced line or instrument level signal to a Balanced signal for impedance matching at input and most importantly better signal quality for long cable runs.

In general if you need to run an unbalanced signal for longer than 15 - 20ft you would probably benefit from a DI. The reason most live bass players use a DI is because for running direct they need to get the signal 100+ ft back to the mixer and they want to split it to their stage amp. In the studio plugging a bass directly in the board is often fine.
 
Excellent, thank you all for your answers to my question!

TT
 
I do both! DI'd to board and direct into board all depending on the bass style and type of music I'm recording. Like Tex said, experiment and see what sounds good to your ears. Also, amp-micing techniques using a mic'd-bass amp with a DI to board also provides an eclectic,clean and forceful bas performance to your recording. Experimentation home-boy is the answer! Your ears know best!
 
yes, I agree, I gave the standard company answer that instruments should all be DI'd, but as with all the balanced unbalanced arguments if it's a short run from instrument to board it probably won't make a difference. It's not going to blow up the mixer or anything.
 
Active DI's can give a bass really nice tone, but a lot can depend on the condition of your strings and how you play the instrument.
 
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