Quote:
Originally Posted by ljguitar
Hi Andy...
The time most of us use a direct box between the amp and PA is when we have long cable runs. Standard guitar cable (1/4'') is really only designed for short runs of 15 feet or so. After that it's prone to audible degrading of the signal.
XLR cables can easily be run 250 feet or more. The Snake on a stage will allow you to plug in a mic cable, then maintain the integrity of the signal all the way to the board of the PA.
So if you already like the plugged-in tone of your guitars, and do not have to do long runs, your present rig is just fine.
If you go to a large venue and have to patch into their stage system, you need at least a passive Direct Box between the amps and the snake which carries the signal to the board. It will transform the signal to match it to what the PA board need.
Hope this helps...
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Thanks for your thoughts LJ. 90% of the time we are playing into our own mixer and system with only a 15-20 ft cable from the guitar to the mixer and the sound is fine. Usually in larger venues with a house PA we request a DI box be provided for each performer. I understand what you say about long cable runs, but we are ok there.
With the guitars' onboard preamps we can usually tweak the tone/volume to our liking. We only use a touch of reverb, and prefer any EFX to be transparent, subtle enough that the average listener doesn't notice them. When I listen to recordings taken from our mixer I do wonder if a touch of compression would improve or enhance the live sound. But then again, maybe better vocal and guitar technique is the answer!
Thanks again!