![]() What do we really mean when we say “the audio signal”? In this article we take a closer look at what’s going on behind the active vs passive preamp debate and hopefully develop a better understanding so we can all make wiser choices. Another person tries a passive preamp in their system, experiences audio nirvana, and thereafter extolls the virtues of passive preamps suggesting that all naysayers are simply wrong if they disagree.Īs a reader and interested audiophile, how are we expected to make sense of these apparently polar opposite views? Who is right? Someone tries a passive preamp, is less than thrilled with the result, and thereafter relates their experience to others either explicitly or implicitly sending the message that passive preamps aren’t quite up to the job compared to active preamps. One such topic is the debate over which type of preamp is better – active or passive? I don't worry too much about "correct techinque" in an electrical sense, more the sound.If you peruse a few online audio forums you will ineveitably find high performance audio enthusiasts disagreeing on many audio subjects. This is also how they were probably used at Motown or any other place with a fender bass and a transformer direct box. ![]() I use them here with passive instruments all the time. The API DI is certainly one of the good ones.ġ5:33:54 GMT -6 Guitar said:As a few people know I sometimes build these passive direct boxes, Wolfboxes, with Triad transformers. But I have always enjoyed the 312 front panel DI, kind of tight and punchy sounding. Haven't used my preamp front panel DI's in a while, not with these nice things here. The transformer still puts its heavy stamp on the sound, even when "properly loaded" by an active instrument. ![]() I also find that my active instruments still sound just as "mojo-y" into the wolfboxes as any of my passive ones. Maybe for a 6 string guitar I would go in this direction. If your instrument needs to sparkle in that specific way they are a good reach. If you need all that high end and fast clear transient response, yeah something like a Countryman or J48 is excellent for that. It can be pretty aggressive sounding if you are after that, the Jensen parts have a pretty bright tone. I've also used the Jensen direct boxes the same way, with passive instruments. I don't worry too much about "correct techinque" in an electrical sense, more the sound. Passive DIs are more prone to electrical interference, and well, all other kinds of interference also.Īs a few people know I sometimes build these passive direct boxes, Wolfboxes, with Triad transformers. Avalon U5 is my favorite on bass just going straight into a compressor in the control room. ![]() And as svart said, The Redeye is a con-tend-ah. The REDDI is also pretty click - my old high school buddy runs audio at Disney Anaheim and they have OODLES of them and love them. The Traverse Mass DI (M1, Vintage King) is very very similar and just as quiet. Most active DIs have a bit of hiss that gets exaggerated along the way and really drives me. But I understand with long cable runs and the bass or other DI'ed instrument out in one of your live rooms or booths, you have to use a DI on the other end of the chain. The built-in DIs on many preamps are fantastic also, so don't discount them. I was looking for a particular tone and use-case for it and one came up for a good price and that's really the only reason I bought it, but on the other hand if you bought one specifically for DI you'd never have to wonder if anything was better.ĩ:23:37 GMT -6 Ward said:Countryman type 85 is absolutely the best for me. You can get three RedEyes for what they are going for. The countryman 85's used to be super cheap on the used market a while ago and I picked up a handful for 30-50$ a piece but overall I find them to be a little strident sounding on some guitars. If I had to choose one, it'd probably be the Little Labs Redeye 3D since it's also a reamp box, and I've used it for that a lot. I might swap them around a bit to make sure none of them sound strange with the instrument plugged in, but overall I'm not too concerned and haven't had any real problems. I think the actives have a lot more detail to offer since they are typically higher impedance inputs, so some instruments can change their tones, while others won't sound any different. I've had a number of no-name actives and passives as well as a few Countryman 85's, a Redeye 3D and now an Avalon U5.Ĭomparing A/B, I guess you can hear a difference.
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