To DI or not to DI? That is my question..

[srw]

Hey all,

 

I'm doing my second open-stage tonight with my rock band but my first using my acoustic guitar (with passive pickup). As I understand that most bars will play acoustics through their PA, will I be ok plugging in direct or will I absolutely need a Direct Injection (DI) box?

 

It is my understanding that a DI box stablizes the signal or provides boost (correct me if i'm wrong). I have a Digitech RP7 which has a pre-amp function...is it possible to get the same functionality out of this unit?

 

I suppose my other option would be to bring my Fender Acoustasonic and play through that, but i'd rather not have to lug that around...

 

????

 

Many thanks!

 

Steve

[slider]

I DI at my home studio. the guitar sounded fantastic thru the monitors and on recording.

I also plugged direct into a PA. it was EQ'ed but I didn't touch that.

the guitar sounded good.

 

so I am unsure of which is better because I could not tell the difference.

granted two slightly different situations.

 

if you dont have a DI then dont sweat it, because there were many that plugged direct befroe DI came along. were there compliants?

[athomas]

I would say use a DI, it is always good to use one. You can play without a DI and it will work fine, but it will be better with a DI.

[keyshore]

hi,

irrespective of the kind of pickup you have, i would be lost without my DI box, as most mixers have an XLR inputs it better to plug the guitar into these through DI box it coverts the high impedence signal from the guitar into a low inpedence signal to be plugged into the XLR inputs, you get a strong signal this way

 

Hope this helps,

 

Keyshore

[Etienne Rambert]

General rules for me:

 

1. DI when performing live in a large space.

 

2. Mic acoustic guitar when recording.

 

But those rules fit my music. Sometimes, I'll both

mic & DI on an acoustic track if I'm playing nylon

string.

[Terry Allan Hall]

As you state that you're using a passive P/U, you'll need to use an active DI or a preamp...otherwise, your guitar's tone will not be very pleasant to listen to!

 

Borrow or buy a Baggs PADI.

[Danox3]

 

DI or a preamp...otherwise, your guitar's tone will not be very pleasant to listen to! Borrow or buy a Baggs PADI.

 

 

That is not the case, in most applications a passive DI will serve you well, regardless of the pickup.

 

The only time a active DI will make a noticable difference, is in studio sessions.

 

I would HIGHLY suggest a DI. Most sound guys should INSIST on it!

[Terry Allan Hall]

That is not the case, in most applications a passive DI will serve you well, regardless of the pickup. The only time a active DI will make a noticable difference, is in studio sessions. I would HIGHLY suggest a DI. Most sound guys should INSIST on it!

 

Sorry, but you're wrong.

 

...In Electronics terms DI Boxes act as High Impedance active buffers enabling low or high impedance unbalanced equipment or instruments to be connected to low impedance balanced signal lines by providing two output signals of equal amplitude or level but opposite in phase. When these two signals are recombined in a mixing console's Balanced Microphone input stage, any Hum or R.F interference which may have been introduced into the preceding cabling is effectively cancelled out or removed from the signal

 

Active DI's usually have an input impedance of at least 2 Meg Ohms to ensure no detrimental loading to the input which can cause loss of high frequencies due to the loading effect or impedance mismatch usually encountered...

www.arx.com.au/FAQ_DI_boxes.htm

 

 

also, read:

 

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impedance_matching

 

www.soundonsound.com/sos/apr98/articles/diboxes.html

[srw]

Not sure if this thred is still being viewed...and my response is a little late..but i'd like to thank you all for your thoughts. I actually played my acoustic through my Digitech RP7 with just the pre-amp activated..then into the bars PA..worked out just fine for the open stage....

 

thanks again!

[guit30]

I used to plug a Dimarzio Elemental right into a PA or amp, but now I always use a DI and preferably a LR Baggs Para Di

Jim