confused about DI boxes

[Original-Kris]

I am wanting to record and so far I am going to get a USB audio interface with bass, guitar and microphone inputs, here are my questions

I deffinatley need one right?

Will I need extra cable ontop of that?

Do I need to buy a different one for the guitar AND bass?

What about mic preamps?

Thankyou

[airborne50caliber]

1 --> DI boxes convert unbalanced to balanced. I started without one, but soon you will want to get it.
2 --> If you think about it, its only natural..
3 --> probably not, most have 2 inputs/outputs
4 --> some have em built in, some dont. i doubt your interface has preamps, so if its not on the DI u will to get em

[Original-Kris]

ok so wat cable do i need to go from the DI to the interface? im not the guitarist

[airborne50caliber]

well DI will have 1/4" TRS outputs and maybe XLR. It depends on what your interface has, you might get away with a 1/4 TRS to 1/4 TRS if the interface has those otherwise u might need a 1/4 TRS --> 1/8 stereo converter on top of the cable.

[TheOneThatBleeds]

would this b a good DI box?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/182449/

[uriasmetal.com]

should be more than enough

[LivingDeadBoy]

So this is only for vocals though?
Like bass output is not XLR, right?

[diesel]

Don't hate me if I'm wrong, but I think you may have your I/O confused.

A DI box takes the high impedance, instrument-level signal, and boosts it to a low-z, mic level signal, which is balanced. Now, for those less up to date on industry terms.

It allows you to plug your guitar, or bass into your mixer properly. Most DIs have two 1/4" TS jacks, wired in parallel. You plug your intrument into the one labeled, input, and the other is usually for sending a signal to your amp, so you can still hear yourself if you are recording or the like. The output section is usually a single male XLR jack, which (using a standard XLR mic line) runs to a mic input on your mixer, or pre-amp. Yes, that's right, a DI box isn't a pre-amp, so you will still need one, however, the 4 channel DI above, has some very basic pre-amps, but I wouldn't rely on them, but maybe it's just because I don't like behringer's mic-pre.

Now, here's the problem, there are two types of DI boxes, passive and active. A passive DI box is usually cheaper, although it does sound cheaper, and requires no power. An active DI will reqiure a power source. Some have an option for a 9 volt battery, but most require 48v phantom power. Just about every mixer you can buy today has phantom, and thus could support an active DI.

[airborne50caliber]

That behringher DI is a good deal, it also has phase reverse.

[LivingDeadBoy]

Ok, what if my mixer takes both unbalanced and balanced inputs. Then what? :p Do I need a di box?

[TheOneThatBleeds]

ok good, thanks

[TheOneThatBleeds]

is this a good preamp?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=live/search/detail/base_pid/480674/

[airborne50caliber]

is this a good preamp?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=live/search/detail/base_pid/480674/

ehm well thats a guitar preamp, not a mic preamp!

[TheOneThatBleeds]

yea i know but is it good?

[airborne50caliber]

yep, the v-amp is definitely a good buy!

[TheOneThatBleeds]

alrite sweet. thanks.

[moaner]

Its awexome. the most useful recording tool since some bright spark invented portable 4 tracks.


well, maybe.

[airborne50caliber]

yh it has great sounds in the amp modeller thingy. behringer rock.

[moaner]

i was playing mine today, through a hi-fi. and it had the most gorgeous clean ever. It was like there was a stack behind me.