direct boxes

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 7 Oct 2004 2:13 pm

Yea John, it's funny that ProTools became the studio standard. It's really not that great. Not bad, but not that special either.

Brad

James Quackenbush · Post by **James Quackenbush** » 7 Oct 2004 2:45 pm

Brad,
You can FLY around using Pro Tools, and there are plenty of bells and whistles, and much support for it ...There is so many pluggin's ,and so much outboard gear that get's plugged into, or out of, Pro Tools to make it sound 1/2 way decent ..If it were not for the speed, and the support, there would be a lot fewer people using it ...When knocking out CD's , it's how fast you can get it done...Sound quality went out the window in most cases... "Get it done, get it done !!" ....Jim

T. C. Furlong · Post by **T. C. Furlong** » 7 Oct 2004 4:58 pm

Hey,

What do you guys think about the idea of ProTools tracking sessions versus traditional multitrack (Hard Disk or tape)with an analog in-line console? There is certainly a group of producers and engineers who feel that non-linear, super flexible, fly around, recording has all but ruined music performance in modern recording. My thought is that a group of musicians tracking the final product, all in a room is really something special and not happening nearly as often as it used to.

Also, Radial D.I's are cool. I always default to the isolation a transformer provides. My experience is, if you have an instrument with transient low end (like an electric bass), lots of iron is good...big heavy transformer. Years ago, my friend built a giant transformer DI, like 10 Lbs. worth, and gave it to Bruce Swedien. I think that he may have used it on Thriller or another MJ record. I remember that he loved it.

If you have an instrument like steel, a good transformer works really well. I even like the ProCo DB-1. Not too expensive and a decent transformer.

TC

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 8 Oct 2004 11:12 am

t's funny that ProTools became the studio standard.

kinda like VHS vs Beta... Beta was the superior platform, but VHS out numbered 'em

it's not the quality of the widget that determines who wins, it's who controls the marketplace...[This message was edited by Dave Van Allen on 08 October 2004 at 12:13 PM.]

Larry R · Post by **Larry R** » 13 Oct 2004 9:38 am

The Beringer D1 is a great piece of equpt. I've been very pleased with it. Very well built and very good quality.[This message was edited by Larry R on 13 October 2004 at 10:39 AM.]

ajm · Post by **ajm** » 13 Oct 2004 4:38 pm

FWIW, over on Harmony Central under the user reviews for the Rockman, there is a guy who used two of the Behringer DI boxes to record a Rockman in stereo and he was quite ecstatic about it. He went into his set up in detail. Someone here may want to try it with a Rockman or similar processor.

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Artie McEwan

Will Holtz · Post by **Will Holtz** » 13 Oct 2004 8:02 pm

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Countryman DI. I have never heard a steel through one, but they are one of the most common DI boxes in live sound reinforcement and get great reviews for use with other instruments. Built like a tank too!

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 14 Oct 2004 5:21 am

I use a Countryman DI at the Church where I play. It is an active box and as Will said it is built like a tank. I use phantom power for mine so I don't have to worry about batteries. I use a Digitech 2112 preamp/effects unit then go into the Countryman. I use in-ear monitors with my mix coming off the main board. We have a monitor board but I don't trust the monitor engineer to give me a good mix. My Son runs the main board and he knows what I want. I don't use an amp. I put the Countryman in the bottom of my rack case and put an XLR output on the side of the case. It makes a clean setup and it works great for me.

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Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 14 Oct 2004 6:25 am

The Countryman has been THE standard for years. Very simple, reliable, rugged, and best of all, it uses a FET for a nice warm and clear tone. For an active DI, it's pretty darn nice. I generally prefer a passive DI with a Jensen transformer. Pretty incredible sounding those Jensens.

Brad Sarno