Active vs. Passive DIs

[HRdrummer]

So I'm in the market for a new DI and have it narrowed down to a Radial JDI or J48 box. Ive been reading everywhere on this topic and everything seems to contradict each other.

Anyone have any insight as to what to choose? Is one better than the other?

I record guitars with both active and passive pick ups. Basses are all passive with active EQ bands. Ill also be using it solely for recording, so short cable lengths.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[blue_fAng]

If you are using passive and actives then you are better off buying the active DI because they can handle both passive and active pickups well while passive DI can't handle passive pickups very well. I'd get a countryman type 85 if I were you, it's not only cheaper than the J48 but there have been blind shoot outs here with countryman vs j48,the countryman sounded fuller and better. You may want to read the responses I got from a thread I started last month:
http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/f-o-h/860139-do-you-record-active-pickups-active-di-boxes.html

 

[HRdrummer]

If you are using passive and actives then you are better off buying the active DI because they can handle both passive and active pickups well while passive DI can't handle passive pickups very well. I'd get a countryman type 85 if I were you, it's not only cheaper than the J48 but there have been blind shoot outs here with countryman vs j48,the countryman sounded fuller and better. You may want to read the responses I got from a thread I started last month:
http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/f-o-h/860139-do-you-record-active-pickups-active-di-boxes.html

Awesome, thanks for the heads up. Ill give that a read. Im all about saving money

 

[deLuther]

Also consider BSS AR-133 as an option.

 

[Rex Rocker]

FWIW, I don't know if my Countryman Type 85 was defective all along, but I started to notice some weird hum a few months ago. I was forced to downgrade to a Radial ProDI because I wanted to record but didn't have much money to spend back then, and quite honestly, I like how the Radial sounds better, but that's with EMG's.

 

[Empathy]

FWIW, I don't know if my Countryman Type 85 was defective all along, but I started to notice some weird hum a few months ago. I was forced to downgrade to a Radial ProDI because I wanted to record but didn't have much money to spend back then, and quite honestly, I like how the Radial sounds better, but that's with EMG's.

That'd be the battery. I just took mine out and it's been peachy.

 

[Rex Rocker]

Nope. I tried both with battery and with phantom power and the problem was still there.