D.I's, reamping and cable extenders.

[paul999]

Until now I've been a bit of a "no re-amp nazi". I like to make a decision and be done with it. I am still like that but my newest decision on a project makes re-amping the best option. I have a slick/punk band (I know that is a contradiction) coming in. They are really good, sound punk but are polished players, and we are spending the time to pioneer audio a little. Who knows if we will be successful but its always fun to try.

I've been micing guitars with my wunder cm7-gt lately and LOVING it. When I am going for retro sounds a 57 through my API's are a guarantee but for a more modern hi-fi guitar tone this condenser has been stellar. The trouble is that I am tracking them live off the floor and there is no way that I won't get too much bleed with my micing method so hence the re-amping. I'll record with 57's and then re-amp directly after the session.

I've always had radial stuff kicking around for live duties without owning it but don't right now and I've decided to deal with this need head on rather then half @$$ed. To be honest I've never been inspired by what J48 or JDI D.I.'s give me even though they are well regarded. They are fine but not wow IMO. I much prefer my API Hi-z to other D.I's I've used. Rather then using a passive D.I as a re-amping tool I decided to buy a

(?)
Little labs redeye 3D @ Musician's Friend --- Little labs redeye 3D @ ZZounds.com --- Little labs redeye 3D @ Ebay.com --- Little labs redeye 3D @ Amazon --- Little labs redeye 3D @ B&H

. This still leaves me using a D.I. that I likely won't like as much as my API so I also purchased a

(?)
little labs STD @ Musician's Friend --- little labs STD @ ZZounds.com --- little labs STD @ Ebay.com --- little labs STD @ Amazon --- little labs STD @ B&H

cable extender. Both will serve double duty which as a business owner increases their worth to me. The STD will be used all the time when people track in the control room an extend out to the live room. In the live room it will, in combination with a hot shot a/b/ab pedal, serve as a D.I. as well. I can run from a guitar/bass to the hot shot selector pedal. Channel A will go to the amp channel B will go to the STD that will go to the control room and plug into the hi-z of my API pre. Instant hi quality di. box that is the same price as a radial but way better sounding plus it will be used every day as a cable extender. That is real value IMO. The redeye 3D will either used as my 2nd D.I. of choice and a reamper when needed.

Anyway for $438 including shipping I felt like this was an awesome way to go. Getting the same stuff through radial would have been $260 for the cable extender system, $200 for the di and $200 for the re-amper.

If I need another D.I. I'll be getting an A-designs reddi. That will hurt at $800.

[brandondrury]

I have a slick/punk band (I know that is a contradiction) coming in.

Punk has been "slick" as long as it's been commercialized. No one I know is going to call Green Day "Dookie" a "raw" album.

I've been micing guitars with my wunder cm7-gt lately and LOVING it.

JJ Blair did a big ol' guitar shootout close to 10 years ago. He had a real U47 in there and 95% of us picked it out as the best in what I remember to be a blind test. Not sure. There was something to it.

In my room, I get WAY too much low end with condensers. Then again, after using the Redwirez impulses, they can put a Royer R121 touching the grill. If I do that it sounds like Godzilla is walking around.

I've always had radial stuff kicking around for live duties without owning it but don't right now and I've decided to deal with this need head on rather then half @$$ed. To be honest I've never been inspired by what J48 or JDI D.I.'s give me even though they are well regarded. They are fine but not wow IMO.

I'm not a huge fan of Radial. They market themselves well, but I've heard A/B tests many times both online and in real life. It's harder to work their reampers. I'll probably build my own reamping box eventually as I suspect it's not much more than a transformer.

I am a big fan of the API Hi-Z. I prefer my Manley TNT buy a nose, but the API is great.

All the Little Labs stuff I've dealt with has been top notch.

[EnSkorSang]

If I need another D.I. I'll be getting an A-designs reddi. That will hurt at $800.

Go DIY!
LINE2AMP Reamping Box - D.I.Y. Recording Equipment
Bo Hansen DI - D.I.Y. Recording Equipment

[paul999]

If I had the time I would consider it. I'd hate to put a bunch of time into a DIY and feel ho-hum about the results.

Go DIY!
LINE2AMP Reamping Box - D.I.Y. Recording Equipment
Bo Hansen DI - D.I.Y. Recording Equipment

[Guitarfreak]

I've heard a lot of really meh things about the Little Labs DI and reamp units, including clips. I've been using a Countryman Type 85 and haven't had trouble whether it be guitar or bass. Some people say it has a bit of dynamic coloration to it, whatever it is, it does it well, and is well worth the money, especially for users of passive pickups. The proof is in the sound it makes, not the hype.

[paul999]

I the "meh" about the reamping, the D.I. or both?

[Guitarfreak]

I the "meh" about the reamping, the D.I. or both?

The DI and reamp unit in one doesnt sound good. I imagine their separate units would reflect this as well.

[tacman7]

I've never seen the need for additional hardware.

Running a line out to a guitar amp sounded good to me.