To DI or not to DI?

[YamahaGuy]

I gather many people on this forum use a small mixer and powered speakers based on recent threads. So, out of curiosity, I was wondering if those of you who use this setup plug your guitar, and/or effects pedals/pedalboard direct into the mixer, or if you use a DI box? I have a DI box, and have used it to connect my electric amps (without direct outs) to my mixer (via the headphone out), but for my acoustics, I almost always simply plug into the left channel on my mixer.

[ricdoug]

I use a DI for some circumstances, like plugging direct into an XLR jack on a snake. I use active DI preamps to boost the signal for low biased inputs like the Roland AC-33 to boost it's output to potential. 18 feet or less from an amp or board I usually plug straight in. Ric

[ManyMartinMan]

Similar to ric. Small show I just run direct to and from the mixer. Big rooms I run into a DI then to the board.

[cattzap]

I don't use a DI, mainly because I don't have one.

[lschwart]

Originally Posted by YamahaGuy

I gather many people on this forum use a small mixer and powered speakers based on recent threads. So, out of curiosity, I was wondering if those of you who use this setup plug your guitar, and/or effects pedals/pedalboard direct into the mixer, or if you use a DI box? I have a DI box, and have used it to connect my electric amps (without direct outs) to my mixer (via the headphone out), but for my acoustics, I almost always simply plug into the left channel on my mixer.

This isn't a matter of choice/preference. You need a DI when you need one, and you don't when you don't. Generally, when you're dealing with active pickup signals and short cables, you don't need one to go into the line inputs on most mixers. Often this is true of passive magnetic pickups as well if they have a strong enough signal. With passive piezo-based pickups, however, unless the mixer has high impedance inputs, you need a DI box to change the impedance, balance the signal, step it down, and allow you to go into a mic input. This is particularly critical if the cable length is long.

Louis

[pieterh]

Pretty much what Ischwart says. In addition, the general rule of thumb is: passive pickups into active DIs (especially if taking a split off to an on stage amp), active instruments (acoustics and basses with on board preamps, keyboards etc) into passive DIs.


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[lschwart]

Originally Posted by lschwart

This isn't a matter of choice/preference. You need a DI when you need one, and you don't when you don't. Generally, when you're dealing with active pickup signals and short cables, you don't need one to go into the line inputs on most mixers. Often this is true of passive magnetic pickups as well if they have a strong enough signal. With passive piezo-based pickups, however, unless the mixer has high impedance inputs, you need a DI box to change the impedance, balance the signal, step it down, and allow you to go into a mic input. This is particularly critical if the cable length is long.

Louis

I should add that even with active pickups or mags with strong signals, you should use a DI box and go into a mic input if your cable length is creeping up toward 20 feet or more.

Louis

[Goat Mick]

I always DI into a mixer and plug straight into an amp. It's not always necessary to do it this cut and dry, but it works for me.