DI box thru/Link to amp effect on tone

[reneisgod]

I made a startling discovery today, my DI Thru/link completely alters my DI's output/tone.
This is probably common knowledge but news to me!

Here is a clip, the 1st riff is my countryman 85 DI straight to my interface (no thru) the 2nd riff is the same setup accept the thru is also going to the input on my Marshall

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ghr8z1l40sov0mx/Test 1.wav?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/2ssto4q0xzsz2h6/1.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/drm5xqqbblg3ob1/2.jpg?dl=0

I have also noticed it if use my DI thru into my 6505 input instead of the marshall the DI is a'lot brighter
almost as if each amp customises the output of the DI?

Now if i reamp both of the above the reamp that has the thru connected sounds almost 100% like the original where as missing out the thru and going straight to my interface and then reamping sounds completely differenet in a bad way.

So can someone please explain how this all works?, how can the input of the amp shape/alter the output signal of the DI, I have never in 10+ years seen anyone on this forum post that to recreate an accurate reamp you must be connected to the amps thru.

So people going from a DI straight to their interface are doing it wrong?

Oh and worth mentioning this only happens with passive pickups i tried my active 81s and the final outcome is the same with or without using the thru on the DI box.

 

[TRUIE]

Interesting,
I also have a Type85 and a guitar with passive pickups so I'll do the test right now.

 

[reneisgod]

Hey man, its not just countryman i have a few different DI's here and they all react the same.
Let me know ur results

 

[TRUIE]

Here are my results (sorry for poor playing, did it really quick)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/tqjyd0qc0ap4d2i/DI Test.wav?dl=0
1. straight into Type85
2. Thru to Maxon OD808 > 5150 Normal Gain Input
3. Thru to 5150 Normal Gain Input

So yeah, the thru to amp version sounds very different (a lot quieter, and the tone is different).
To me the version through OD808>5150 sounds a lot closer as Type85 direct with not thru at all, so I guess it's an impedance thing ?

 

[reneisgod]

Hey man try an actual distorted reamp. Using DI thru your distorted reamp will sound pretty much 100% accurate whereas without thru ''DI straight to interface - reamp'' ur distorted tone will have all sorts of spike problems in the high end.

This is what I'm finding, sure the clean examples we have both posted sound cleaner without the thru
but they are definitely not accurate at all, its the duller tone you will find gives u the more precise reamp results.

 

[TRUIE]

I'll try this tomorrow, maybe with another riff. Curious about the TS stuff too.
Would really love some technical explanation on this !