Do I need a DI?

Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 4:22 pm

Here's a quote from the Kapt:

"You'll rarely get good results plugging a guitar straight into an interface. Depending on how it's set, you could be loading down the guitar signal. A direct box, a preamp, or a POD (or similar) may help get a better signal."

I'm planning on recording some electric guitar and being in an apartment doesn't lend itself to my usual micing the amp method.

I'm after both clean and distorted sounds, and will most likely use Logic's Guitar Amp Pro for effects (I'll try it out at least).

I'll also be recording bass.

I understand that I could plug the guitar into the HI Z input of my Motu Traveler, however my question is would I benefit from running the guitar through a DI instead? Kapt.Krunch makes me think yes, but I really have never done this before. I was under the impression that you only need a DI if all you have are XLR inputs.

If so, any recommendations?

This one caught my eye (possibly just b/c of the color):

http://www.bbesound.com/products/DI/DI100x/index.asp

Thanks!

Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 5:06 pm

I would 2nd kap's advice on not plugging into a soundboard with a guitar ( however for some reason it seems to be OK with bass, just not gtr).

The same principle could apply to direct boxes as well. But in this case, where it got reviews from Guitar Player it would appear that they made this unit with electric guitar in mind.
I would love to add one of these to my collection, except...Oh yeah...I'm broke, and business had dried up to a trickle (which is why I actually have time to sit here typing)

Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 5:49 pm

I use and MBox, which has a high impedance imput for instrument, so it doesn't load the guitar pickups. I assume your Motu has the same feature. If so a direct box is not required. Try it and see how you like it. You would need a direct box if you wanted to split your signal to go to the Motu and an amp cab at the same time. If you want a DI, check out the Radial DI's, high quality, big choice. You don't need or want the extra Sonic Maximizer feature on the box you showed. You just want a direct clean signal at the right impedance.

Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 9:22 pm

Taxman, those Radial's look good. Thanks for the info guys. I'll give it a shot straight into the Motu (I knew it would work, but I just wanted to know if a DI would be better).

I tried an acoustic bass straight in, and it sounded cheap, but I have a feeling that's the bass, not the interface.

Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 10:19 pm

mhutch,

the hi-z input is essentially a DI. you dont need a separate one. the only thing you might want to consider would be a modeler (such as a POD or whatnot).

any other DI would degrade the signal.

Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 7:50 pm

Thanks rockstardave,

That's kinda what I figured. Awesome, $200 bucks I can spend on something else!

Rock on,

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