A couple of years ago I bought the RNDI which I plug my guitar into and then the signal goes to Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 2nd gen, which I then play with guitar plugins. At the beginning I thought that the difference wasn't justified, but I kept the unit. Recently tried going to the USB interface directly and I was shocked to find out that my tone was gone. The "juice" was missing so to speak. The low mids sounded more organic to me and the highs were much pleasant on the ear.
Currently deciding between the bss and the neve so this vid was really useful! I just received an ssl six on which the hi z input sounds much smoother on my stratocaster (using an amp sim itb). I was surprised to hear the difference when I tried the bss which seems to provide more high frequency content and an overall more glassy sound (which I like on my guitars). I asked SSL about this and send them some audio samples. They responded that they try to keep the THD as low as possible on their console channels which might account for a little bit less of high frequencies. Goes to show that these di boxes do have an impact on your tone. I will soon receive the neve for testing and i'm curious how it will impact the sound.
Your graph of the noise and bump in gain made me order the RNDI-S for recording my Nord and synths, which can be a bit hissy if I don’t gain stage properly. Great demo!
Guitar player - Still on the fence getting a DI and this helps. I found some noise even going through a balanced input in RX-10, so ya, probably going to pick up one of these. Thanks Ed!
I just picked up a DI by Samson, the MDA1. Its like 35$ on amazon. I play metal and I definitely hear a brighter yet full, cleaner sound. Amp sims sound better too. The pad comes in handy too. I literally have my gain on my interface at zero with great sound and plenty of head room. Low to no noise floor.
I got a sweet deal on a Warm Audio Active DI Box and I do notice an positive improvement in my guitar tone. I hear my guitar tracks a lot more clearly with great detail. I didn't notice a huge difference at first when using the DI box, until I plugged my guitar back into the the Hi Z input of my audient id4 mkII and I noticed my guitar sounded more flat and dull. I plugged right back into the DI and the dullness was gone. I can say a good DI box is worth it and is a great investment for home or studio use.
Thanx for the tip with the electricians tape, I have a LA Audio di and I had some noise some times , I just put some tape on the batteries connector. Its an other great sounding di, I have used some interfaces hi z and the hi z from my sound craft console, but the LA sounds the best every time
I just picked up a DI by Samson, the MDA1. Its like 35$ on amazon. I play metal and I definitely hear a brighter yet full, cleaner sound. Amp sims sound better too. The pad comes in handy too. I literally have my gain on my interface at zero with great sound and plenty of head room. Low to no noise floor.
The bass and guitar sounded best coming through the Neve DI. It had more richness in the low frequencies and a pleasant response in the 2 and 4k range. The low mids were smooth. I liked the Apollo's handling of the material the least of the three. It sounded dull and if someone put a wet blanket on a hot track. I have the Neve DI and your experiences with it actually confirms mine. One of the best investments I have made in my studio.
Is an input that is switchable from Line Level to Hi-Z a compromise in sound if you’re only using it for Line Level? I’m considering getting the Babyface Pro FS because unlike the Apollo or Neumann or Apogee, the 1/4” inputs don’t touch the pre circuitry and I use rackmount pres most of the time.
I’ve always found it frustrating that companies don’t offer 1/4 balanced in to 1/4 hi Z out. I want to come out of my Apollo and back into the Hi z. Can someone please explain why they don’t sell that configuration it’s driving me crazy is it not possible? Also, I want to use the box to come out of a mixer 1/4 unbalanced to hi Z Apollo. Correct me if I’m wrong they don’t make boxes like that.
good info!!! I have an UA6176, do I need an DI-Box or is it enough for recording my instruments, I also sometimes use my instrument input of my ID24 Audient. Some say that its not good enough for recording instruments, that i'll need a RNID, ors something else with better quality. All The Best!!! Niko
The BSS is a solid DI, I've used them live for a decade! I think they have a similar amount of low end but the RNDI opens up more in the top end which may give the impression of less low end or more presence in the top end depending on your listening device.
I’m looking to add DI to my HX stomp rig mostly for ground lift but also to send cleanest signal possible. Could you see benefit in using unbalanced out, instrument level, into Neve and out to desk? Or is it overkill and better just get passive DI?
anyone know what the RNDI setup is for a acoustic guitar going into an Eventide H90 and then onto an Apollo x6 for capture via Logic? Have never used a DI box before...
@@EdThorne Passive DIs are actually xformers. You can't use them for passive guitar/bass pickups unless you accept HF roll off because of a load. Both DI boxes you presented are active ones. Part of their circut is HiZ preamp (buffer) and output xformer (optional).
relax man... your voice sound in MY face.. it is not a BMW bike commercial ¡ lol... it is audio.. relax breath.. take your time.. don't scream too much.. nobody is chasing you.
Thanks for the tip with the tape. Lost an active, new DI once, end never understood why... now that makes freaking sense why it selfdestruct.
A couple of years ago I bought the RNDI which I plug my guitar into and then the signal goes to Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 2nd gen, which I then play with guitar plugins.
At the beginning I thought that the difference wasn't justified, but I kept the unit.
Recently tried going to the USB interface directly and I was shocked to find out that my tone was gone.
The "juice" was missing so to speak. The low mids sounded more organic to me and the highs were much pleasant on the ear.
I'm happy to see that Syndrome from the Incredibles has turned his life around and found a productive passion!
🤣
@@EdThorne So glad you didn't unintentionally take this a bad way lol
Currently deciding between the bss and the neve so this vid was really useful! I just received an ssl six on which the hi z input sounds much smoother on my stratocaster (using an amp sim itb). I was surprised to hear the difference when I tried the bss which seems to provide more high frequency content and an overall more glassy sound (which I like on my guitars). I asked SSL about this and send them some audio samples. They responded that they try to keep the THD as low as possible on their console channels which might account for a little bit less of high frequencies. Goes to show that these di boxes do have an impact on your tone. I will soon receive the neve for testing and i'm curious how it will impact the sound.
Your graph of the noise and bump in gain made me order the RNDI-S for recording my Nord and synths, which can be a bit hissy if I don’t gain stage properly. Great demo!
Guitar player - Still on the fence getting a DI and this helps. I found some noise even going through a balanced input in RX-10, so ya, probably going to pick up one of these. Thanks Ed!
I just picked up a DI by Samson, the MDA1. Its like 35$ on amazon. I play metal and I definitely hear a brighter yet full, cleaner sound. Amp sims sound better too. The pad comes in handy too. I literally have my gain on my interface at zero with great sound and plenty of head room. Low to no noise floor.
I got a sweet deal on a Warm Audio Active DI Box and I do notice an positive improvement in my guitar tone. I hear my guitar tracks a lot more clearly with great detail. I didn't notice a huge difference at first when using the DI box, until I plugged my guitar back into the the Hi Z input of my audient id4 mkII and I noticed my guitar sounded more flat and dull. I plugged right back into the DI and the dullness was gone. I can say a good DI box is worth it and is a great investment for home or studio use.
Thanx for the tip with the electricians tape, I have a LA Audio di and I had some noise some times , I just put some tape on the batteries connector. Its an other great sounding di, I have used some interfaces hi z and the hi z from my sound craft console, but the LA sounds the best every time
Great video, really helpful. Thank you so much!
I just picked up a DI by Samson, the MDA1. Its like 35$ on amazon. I play metal and I definitely hear a brighter yet full, cleaner sound. Amp sims sound better too. The pad comes in handy too. I literally have my gain on my interface at zero with great sound and plenty of head room. Low to no noise floor.
RNDI in my opinion is the greatest sounding. Clean and pristine.
The bass and guitar sounded best coming through the Neve DI. It had more richness in the low frequencies and a pleasant response in the 2 and 4k range. The low mids were smooth. I liked the Apollo's handling of the material the least of the three. It sounded dull and if someone put a wet blanket on a hot track. I have the Neve DI and your experiences with it actually confirms mine. One of the best investments I have made in my studio.
Great analysis.
RNDI is the best piece of gear in my home studio and is probably the least expensive.
Is an input that is switchable from Line Level to Hi-Z a compromise in sound if you’re only using it for Line Level? I’m considering getting the Babyface Pro FS because unlike the Apollo or Neumann or Apogee, the 1/4” inputs don’t touch the pre circuitry and I use rackmount pres most of the time.
Would love to know how the Warm Audio weighs in
I love this channel
Thanks, Benny!
I’ve always found it frustrating that companies don’t offer 1/4 balanced in to 1/4 hi Z out. I want to come out of my Apollo and back into the Hi z. Can someone please explain why they don’t sell that configuration it’s driving me crazy is it not possible? Also, I want to use the box to come out of a mixer 1/4 unbalanced to hi Z Apollo. Correct me if I’m wrong they don’t make boxes like that.
good info!!! I have an UA6176, do I need an DI-Box or is it enough for recording my instruments, I also sometimes use my instrument input of my ID24 Audient. Some say that its not good enough for recording instruments, that i'll need a RNID, ors something else with better quality. All The Best!!! Niko
Use the Hi-Z input on the 6176, you won’t need a DI unless you a particularly hot/noisy signal.
the BSS sounded fuller than than the RNDI to me, at least on bass
The BSS is a solid DI, I've used them live for a decade! I think they have a similar amount of low end but the RNDI opens up more in the top end which may give the impression of less low end or more presence in the top end depending on your listening device.
So the BSS accepts Phantom Power from the Board lead?
The others?
The Neve takes phantom power from your interface/sound desk too, yes.
Do you think that this will improve my DI signal if i put it before the input of a Quad Cortex even it hast HiZ inputs?
Ihave an Apollo and makes a lot of noise in the Hi Z. How to connect a DI to Apollo? I know some eliminates the hum. Thanks
How you like that 1073lb? Ever go RNDI into that?
I’m looking to add DI to my HX stomp rig mostly for ground lift but also to send cleanest signal possible. Could you see benefit in using unbalanced out, instrument level, into Neve and out to desk? Or is it overkill and better just get passive DI?
anyone know what the RNDI setup is for a acoustic guitar going into an Eventide H90 and then onto an Apollo x6 for capture via Logic? Have never used a DI box before...
I don't get it. HiZ input is kind of preamp. In case of Di box the whole preamp consists of DI and mic preamp. You measure them using LoZ signal.
A DI box (and a Hi-Z input) isn’t a preamp. It’s a step down transformer to reduce hot signals to line-level - that your preamp can then handle.
@@EdThorne Passive DIs are actually xformers. You can't use them for passive guitar/bass pickups unless you accept HF roll off because of a load.
Both DI boxes you presented are active ones. Part of their circut is HiZ preamp (buffer) and output xformer (optional).
Your hair looks like you're free falling feet first at 1000mph
It’s like this from skydiving - ONCE. ONE TIME, Dammit!
NO DIFFERENCE ON BASS. Not needed,
UAD sounds ugly compared to both others
relax man... your voice sound in MY face.. it is not a BMW bike commercial ¡ lol... it is audio.. relax breath.. take your time.. don't scream too much.. nobody is chasing you.
You can slow the video speed