El Cheapo DI Box advice

[mrbean667]

I have decided that I'm in dire need of a DI box to keep up with the times, and adding to the fact that I'm a total recording noob, which is the best cheap DI Box out there?

I was thinking about this, yes, I hear it's crap, but I don't care.

http://www.allansmusic.com.au/Product.aspx?c=E17696F8-4FA7-4D31-9C22-001A374C802E&p=121847

 

[Metaltastic]

If it's for capturing DI signals from a guitar or bass, I would definitely go for an active box - on a budget, either the Behringer DI-100 or Samson S-Direct seem to be the best bet, but since it's pretty much impossible to break a high-end DI box, I'd scour ebay for a used BSS AR-133 or Countryman Type 85, pretty much the two best! (just buy whatever you can find cheaper ) And I did a shootout of DI boxes and was not impressed by the often-lauded Radial J48 (kinda harsh and noisy IMO, here's the thread), so I'd avoid that one.

 

[Metaltastic]

HOWEVER, if you got a Little Labs Redeye, it would let you re-amp as well! (and for DI capturing, my findings were it's just as good as the active DI boxes if you're using active pickups in your guitars, but with passives pickups it wasn't quite as clear/detailed as the Countryman, though the difference was very subtle IMO!)

 

[Trondsa]

This is a good DI that will work for many years to come:
http://www.music123.com/Whirlwind-IMP-2-Standard-Direct-Box-184302-i1125349.Music123

 

[Metaltastic]

Passive, though...

 

[Trondsa]

Yup, bit I'd definately go for the passive Whirlwind instead of the Behringer DI-100. I've tried a couple of those, and they are very noisy. The Whirlwind one is quiet and sounds very good, price considered.

 

[mrbean667]

Cool.

 

[ahjteam]

LA AUDIO DI2 and BSS AR133 are nice for under 100 usd