Direct box or not?

[johnportrash]

I have a mackie Mackie 1202-VLZ PRO mixer with 1/4" ins on 4 the 4 preamp channels. Is a direct box needed or recommended to plug a bass into this mixer?

[GT40sc]

Yes.

The direct box will also match the impedance between the instrument and the console, giving you a much better tone.

Most keyboards can be run direct into the console line inputs, but I would not recommend this for bass or guitar...

hope this helps,

SC

[tmix]

I heartily agree with GT40sc.
I'll go one more step. If you can afford about $60-$90 I suggest picking up a used or new ART tube preamp /DI. It is very quiet for an inexpensive unit, it will give you an excellent sound for your Bass ( and electric guitar also)plus it will give you an extra microphone pre thats not too bad either.

tmix

[johnportrash]

Thanks for the follow ups. In regard to the response recommending an ART pre as a DI; I recently read that "cheaper mic preamps" should be avoided in the chain because it is the most important part of the chain. It is my understanding that the Mackie pres are "Pro" quality and that the ART pre would warm up the signal, but would end up being the weakest link in my chain. My main concern is getting proper signal matching with a bass guitar to the board. Perhaps a nice country man? Or maybe a presonus blue tube? More thoughts please! Thank you.

[Robert D]

opinions on the ART toob pre as a mic preamp run the gammut from "good for the money", to "utter garbage". But the one thing everyone seems to agree on is that it makes a pretty darn good bass DI. Good for you? Countryman better? Only you can say. These are items that any music store should have no problem with you trying them out and keeping the one you want.
Cheers, RD

[dave64o]

I originally used my Tube MP as a bass DI and liked it. Then I got a guitar POD and assumed that all the options would give me an even better result. It wasn't bad, but in time I went back to the ART. It was a 1-trick pony, but I liked that one trick better than any combination I found with the POD.

Then I got a SansAmp Bass Driver and I'm no longer as in love with the Tube MP. I just got it three days ago but based on the noodling I've done with it so far I'd say it sounds fantastic. Actually, I still use the Tube MP, after the SABDDI. IOW, my chain is bass --> SABDDI --> Tube MP (using the XLR ins and outs so the SABDDI gets phantom power from the Tube MP --> soundcard. This is my favorite combination so far.

I still think the Tube MP by itself is pretty good, but I also think it would be worth checking out the SansAmp as part of your decision. I paid $169 new for mine at Bass NorthWest, but I'm sure you could get it for a less on eBay.


[This message has been edited by dave64o (edited 11-19-2002).]