I used the ART Dual DI for that video, probably the same transformers as
Emanuel and I'm very happy, except for the weight and cables.
Scott, thanks for the more fulsome DI coverage. I think we could safely add
Radial to the top quality passive list. I've never used active DI's, so I
have nothing to add there.
I can safely assert from early experience that the $20 variety of passives
are absolute, criminally vile junk. A total waste of labor and material
that could have been used in something useful. I suspect the ART's are as
cheap as one can go with any confidence in the direction of a 'road worthy'
DI.
That doesn't preclude buying a Jensen or Sowter transformer and putting it
in suitable, lighter enclosure. I have one here that's in a little Hammond
1550a <http://www.hammondmfg.com/1550.htm> and it's been great.
k
On Wed, Feb 18, 2015 at 8:59 AM, Scott Fraser
[naturerecordists] <> wrote:
>
>
> < I just use what's known in the music business as a DI (for converting
> high
> impedance guitar outputs to match with mic preamps). They're just a
> transformer in a steel box with 2 1/4" TR (I/O)and one XLR output. The
> downside of DI's is that they're usually built for rough stage/road use,
> are bulletproof and probably heavier than you want. I use a dual one that
> weighs over a Kg. Not nice, but I don't hike far and it works very well.
> That does make that preamp I linked to look rather attractive if you want
> something light. >
>
> Direct Inject boxes, or DIs, come in two flavors: as described above, wit=
h
> an impedance converting transformer, or alternatively, containing an acti=
ve
> opamp circuit to convert an unbalanced high impedance source to low
> impedance balanced. The active DIs have the advantage of lower cost, lowe=
r
> weight, & lower insertion loss, but require phantom or battery power.
> Transformers have the advantage of superior RF rejection, require no powe=
r,
> but are heavy, expensive & there is some loss of gain. DIs are all over t=
he
> map quality-wise, & you definitely get what you pay for. The low cost
> models will definitely degrade audio. Count on $150 & up for a pristine
> quality unit. In the studio world the Countryman type85 active DI is
> pretty much the gold standard. I use Countrymans with home made piezo
> contact pickups & they provide a very good rendition of the very bad
> frequency response of piezo elements.
>
> SF
>
>
>
--
Keith Smith - KeithSmith.ca_Freelance Guitarist & Location Recording Servic=
e
<http://www.keithsmith.ca>
|