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I recently tried to do some reamping by using a passive DI box. I was told on another forum to run the -10 output of my soundcard to the XLR output of the DI box. Then, run the 1/4" input of the DI box to the guitar head input. I tried this and although I don't seem to get any noise when the guitar runs through the amp, as soon as I arm a track to record, it squeals uncontrollably. So, for example, I've got a Layla 20 and I'm running the output of the dry track out of output 3. Then, I have my mic set up to record on input 1. Input 1 feedsback like crazy. Am I doing something wrong? Will buying an actual reamp box take care of this?

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Tommy P. Fri, 05/20/2005 - 13:24

Welcome to the forums cakewalkr7. The setup you described should be working.
Output dry track3> lowZdirectboxhighZ>amp>microphone>rec input 1 right?

The feedback you hear might be an internal loop in the soundcard. Did you accidentally software route an output to an input within the cards internal mixer? Check that first.

Guest Fri, 05/20/2005 - 14:35

cakewalkr7 wrote: Will buying an actual reamp box take care of this?

I do believe that the impedance is the difference in this instance. I have tried the same thing and it did not work.
But, I did see an ad from Radial, about their new "re-amping' DI box.
This box corrects the impedance and allows it to be sent back through the guitar amp. Without the "suck" factor.
If you get one, please let us all know if they are worth buying.
Good luck

Tommy P. Fri, 05/20/2005 - 15:06

jobu2u wrote:

...run the -10 output of my soundcard to the xlr output of the DI box. Then, run the 1/4" input of the DI box to the guitar head input.

I'm sure it was just a typo... but you should have the OUTPUT of your card connected to the INPUT of the DI box, should you not?

Hey, jobu2u welcome to RO. Actually barebones passive DI's boxes work in both directions...there really isn't an "input" or "output". So by using the balanced XLR low Z as the input and the phone plug HiZ as the output, it should match perfectly to the guitar amp head input.

anonymous Sat, 05/21/2005 - 19:22

Well, I checked and rechecked my routing today and everything seems to routed correctly. My software mixer is pretty basic and there's no way I can really loop anything with it. I did notice that when I turned my amp away from me/guitar/pc, the feedback died down some, but it didn't completely get rid of it. I'm not sure what to make of it. One thing I noticed though was that I tried with the DI box out of the chain so I was running the output of the soundcard directly into the amp. I got just as much noise either way, so it didn't seem like the DI box was really doing much of anything to the signal? I don't really want to invest $200 in a reamp box if this is all I'm going to get from it. Has anyone used these with success? Thanks.

anonymous Mon, 05/23/2005 - 12:39

cakewalkr7 wrote: Well, I checked and rechecked my routing today and everything seems to routed correctly. My software mixer is pretty basic and there's no way I can really loop anything with it. I did notice that when I turned my amp away from me/guitar/pc, the feedback died down some, but it didn't completely get rid of it. I'm not sure what to make of it. One thing I noticed though was that I tried with the DI box out of the chain so I was running the output of the soundcard directly into the amp. I got just as much noise either way, so it didn't seem like the DI box was really doing much of anything to the signal? I don't really want to invest $200 in a reamp box if this is all I'm going to get from it. Has anyone used these with success? Thanks.

I used to own a Mia so I am familiar with the software mixer, though yours do have some more options. But I am pretty sure you can create infinite feedback loops with a combination of the mixer and external cabling. Should be no problem really.

I think what is happening is that you might be sending input 1 back to output 3, either from the software mixer or from within your audio sequencer. Try muting your input monitoring while recording.

The effects of a DI/reamp box is very sublte but it is there. Key is in the high-end.

anonymous Mon, 05/23/2005 - 15:46

I finally found it. It turned out that another mic on my 2 channel preamp was still turned on and had phantom power applied. Once I turned that off, the feedback disappeared. Thanks everyone. John Cuniberti makes the reamp box for 199.00. Little labs is more expensive. Does anyone know of an alternative? The passive DI isn't reducing noise anymore than running it direct from soundcard into the amp, so I assume I have to use a reamp box. Has anyone used any other kinds? Thanks.