Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Andrew Watts]

I’ve tended to use cheap DIs over the years.
I need to buy 3 stereo DIs. Radial’s are not cheap in Australia. Are there any real alternatives that a robust and sound great? Mainly yo use for keyboards, and sometimes with acoustic instruments.

[Steve Eudaly]

It kind of depends how cheap you want to go, or the way I see it, how much durability you are risking to sacrifice.

If price is the #1 concern, there are options from Pyle, Behringer and ART that will all probably work just fine--until they don't.

If you're willing to spend a few more bucks, there are some more robust models from Whirlwind, RapcoHorizon and EWI.

I've never regretted buying a Radial, but I understand it can be a tough pill to swallow. We're able to get the Klark Teknik DI boxes for a good price, so have been trying those lately with satisfying results (they're big, but I do like the rubber jacket they live in).

Ultimately my main requirements from a DI box are durability and ease of use. I just need it to work. I honestly can't name a time something sounded "bad" because of the DI box I was using. But I have had cheap DI boxes take a fall, break a switch or suffer some other failure they're done for the day. With the Radial/KT/Whirlwind units, I simply brush it off and continue on with my day.

[Lyle Williams]

There is less difference between active DI's than passive ones, IMO.

[Chris Eddison]

If you don't mind paying shipping from the UK then the Orchid Electronics ones are very affordable and have a great reputation. Also supporting a small business who've been in the game for years.
I personally use the LA Audio active DI's and really like them, but they're not exactly flooding the market so sourcing one might be a problem.

[Trevor Jalla]

If you don't mind paying shipping from the UK then the Orchid Electronics ones are very affordable and have a great reputation. Also supporting a small business who've been in the game for years.

I too bought a pair of Orchids - 1x Classic (mono) and 1x Dual. Both active. Honestly I can't tell the difference between them and my Radial Pro48 and J48 stereo but I've not exactly done close AB comparisons, neither have I tried them with a particular hot source to gauge for headroom etc. I tend  to reach for the Radials so clients (who are often the band booking me) recognise the brand name. The Orchids do superficially look cheaper and more generic.

[Tim Halligan]

Radial do a cheaper product called Radial PRO.

The Radial JDI Passive Stereo is Au$529.

The Radial PRO D2 Passive Stereo is Au$259.

I have 3 of the Radial PRO D1 mono passive DI's, and I've had no problem with them...and they sound as good as any other DI I've tried.

Might be worth investigating.

Cheers,
Tim

[Jordan Wolf]

There’s a gentleman in here who makes a DI box that many speak highly of. It uses a Jensen transformer, and lists for $146USD; less if you order more than one.

See here.

[Tim Weaver]

Years ago when DBX entered the DI game they were on sale at Sweetwater for an introductory price. I think I paid like 50 bucks for passive and 60 for active or something like that. I still have them and they all still work 100%. The only issue I've had is the rubber pad on the bottom falls off. All the functional stuff has given me no problems at all....

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/dbx-db10-passive-direct-box/189912000001000?cntry=us&source=3WWRWXGP&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6reSp66F2wIVyp6zCh2LRwPvEAQYAiABEgKU7PD_BwE&kwid=productads-adid%5E221957295803-device%5Et-plaid%5E323968855183-sku%5E189912000001000@ADL4MF-adType%5EPLA


I also have a few Radial ProDI's which are 99 dollars here in the States. Those are bulletproof as well.

[Mark Oakley]

Those are bulletproof as well.

I wish I could say that my Radials have been bullet-proof, but I've had several failures. Broken switch on a JDI, lost signal on one side of a PRO-D2, and had to have the Jensen transformer replaced on another JDI (lifetime warranty? Nope-I still had to pay) . Also the locking screws keep falling off the 1/4" jacks on the Pro D2's. They travel in a padded mic case. I own 5 D2's, 4 JDI's and a J48. FWIW.

-Mark

[Brian Adams]

Also the locking screws keep falling off the 1/4" jacks on the Pro D2's. They travel in a padded mic case. I own 5 D2's, 4 JDI's and a J48. FWIW.

-Mark

I had to Loc-Tite all the plastic nuts on the 1/4" jacks on my Radials. It didn't make me like them any less, but I wish I didn't have to do that. I haven't lost any since though.

I lost a few before I decided to Loc-Tite them. Radial sent me replacements for free.

[ProSoundWeb Community]