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Modelers and DI's: What you need to know (Pinstripe Pedals DISO+, Walrus ACS1, Iridium, HX Stomp)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 ส.ค. 2024
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In this video we're talking about DI's and why you need to use one with you small format Modeler like the Walrus ACS-1, Strymon Iridium, or the HX Stomp. I go through some practical and technical reasons you should be using one. I also talk about the Pinstripe Pedals DISO+ and what makes it better than a regular DI and why it's become my new "go-to" solution for running direct.
Pinstripe Pedals DISO+: pinstripepedal...
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This saved my Strymon Iridium. Thank you
Nice, concise little explanation. Thanks for the video, Michael.
Thanks Michael, just the info I was after. Leaving the amp at home next weekend to go direct. Will be going Iridium into a DI, which I was unsure about. Thanks again.
I’m still using a Demeter Tube Direct Box from 1987. It’s kind of like my clean tube amp. I also love hammering the Jensen transformer in my Radial DI.
Dude I’ve been looking at that BOX!!!! Thanks for the demo!
I always kept a spare DI box in my bass gig bag back when I was playing full time. It saved the day on more than one occasion especially when recording live. I do like the DISO+! Thanks!!
yeah, always good to have an extra around. Now I always carry the Iridium or the ACS1 with me when I'm using amps just incase!
Exactly the video i was looking for❤
Thank you, that was so clarifying!
Priceless explanation of balanced outputs!
sorry but the explanation is wrong.
The video I was waiting for ;) Can't wait to try your IRs !
Thanks!
the tracking info on my DISO+ says I should get it tomorrow. very excited to try it out this weekend!
In my opinion, the fact that you can switch the outputs of the HX Stomp to balanced line level is one of the reasons that make it superior to many other modellers. And Line 6 has stated that phantom power won't do any harm to it either.
So, you only need a DI box (or that "line isolator") in case of ground loops. But that shouldn't really be a problem either, as most pedalboard power supplies are fully isolated.
Good job explaining the difference of balanced and unbalanced cables!
BTW: I wouldn't expect any impedance issues as all modellers should have a relatively low output impedance.
When it comes to audio interfaces, there's usually also the option of simply using the instrument (or Hi Z) inputs. Those should work fine with the Iridium for example.
I have heard that sending phantom to the Line6 stuff will negatively impact your sound while it’s on but haven’t tried it myself. That could be only related to the Helix XLR outputs… I just can’t remember
@@MichaelWWestbrook I don't really see a reason why it should have an impact on the sound, but I guess, I'll have to give it a try, now that I'm curious about it. 🤔
@@error8418 Same, seems weird but it’s just what I’ve read.
yeah, it's weird, but on my Helix floor, if foh has phantom power enabled on my xlr outputs it gets some bad sounding crackling and distortion that stops when phantom is disabled...
Many people think all DIs are the same, but trying a great one was an eye-opener for me. The rupert neve RNDI is top tier, but the DISO+ seems so perfect for this particular application, definitely on my list to try.
Thanks for another great video Michael. Great description of the differences between a DI and 1/4” to XLR adapter and how DI noise rejection works.
I absolutely want a DISO+. Loved the demo.
Thanks!
Thank YOU for the upload. Great explanation, very useful video!
I’m starting to think I need a DISO+ for playing at church, I currently have the Hotone stomp II and looking at an ACS1 to see if I prefer it.
Looks like this will be a go to regardless
Dude, great channel. I just discovered you from this video. very well done overview.
Thanks (I really do appreciate it) and welcome!
Great info. Thank you Michael!
Hi, I'm new within this realm of DI and Line Isolators and what not. But if you like me it is good idea to wait and see, 'cause you'll find a will informed tech who'll have clearer live rig configuration knowledge than salesmen of products. Especially when they starts with "They do send me... and my opinions is my own..." or any form for favoring parties. That's why I don't use fractal Audio or Strymon and all those overpriced products. There is a good discussion in reddit about Pinstripe Pedals and Hx Stomp. Some comments defunked me to be more cautious. Anyways Michael I'm subscipted to your channel you make great Hx Stomp content!
Man I love your amp tones are ALWAYS good
Thanks!
Great demo! Thanks Michael!
Great video!!! Tnks!!!
Should you use a DI in conjunction with a fishman Aura or not ?
Does the aura do the same job as a di or is it different?
I’m a bit confused 😀😀
great vid!
btw what’s ur global output settings in hx set in hx stomp when using it with DISO ?
did you set it to line / ins output? and what should you use for the DISO ? (DI mode or LI mode)
I use the iridium and have two questions.
1. This replaces my DI?
2. Do I want the XLR SUM feature?
Thanks!
Hey bro, thanks for this video! Recently, Walrus just released a DI with isolated in and outs as the DISO+, it would be great if you could compare them and let us know if they sound different!
Thanks man! 🤙
Great job, Michael!
Thanks Catt!
great. but i wish you had shown the third option where you go straight from the modeller into the daw
I get that but in the end that will be different for each situation. Sometimes it will work ok, others times it might not. Using a DI or something like the DISO+ makes it consistent
Good video. As I understand it, there are two reasons DIs are designed to drop to mic level. First, older desks may not have had a pad switches on their mic inputs so could be prone to being clipped - this may not be a thing so much now. Second, laying cables alongside each other can induce crosstalk between cables ... And if one or two of the cables of many running alongside each other are line along side mic leads ... The latter of which will have their gain cranked at the desk ... Then line level signal can bleed into the mic level signals. I'm pretty sure there is a sound on sound article on this. Thanks for the vid ... And the sound comparison to the Radial was very interesting.
That interesting! Thanks for the info, I’ll have to look into it. I honestly know nothing about the history of DI’s.
Such a great explanation! I need every guitar player to watch this so they understand. It also applies to other line level output devices like keys rigs, SPDs, and really most software instruments people use. Traditional DIs really should primarily be used on instrument level inputs like basses, acoustics, etc. Now one thing I do want to know is how the DISO was intended to be pronounced.. I have now heard "Dee-so" and "Dye-so". I propose a more technical approach rather than phonetic. Because it is mimic-ing what people would associate as a DI but is inherently a Line Isolator, I would vote we call is "Dee-Eye-So"; therefore combining DI and Isolator(Iso).
Thanks Josh! Yeah, I’m not sure about the pronunciation either 😂 I didn’t even think about it but “Dee-eye-so” does make sense but doesn’t sound as cool
Too bad I just bought a stereo JDI! I did notice a low input level into my interface. I thought it was the ACS1.
Just get a Simplifier; 2 XLR outs and stereo. So easy and sounds great.
I still need to check that one out. I’ve heard good things!
I've been planning to buy the stereo JDI for my HX Stomp. This might change my mind
Yeah, I think the DISO+ is cheaper too!
Owning an HX Stomp, do you think its a good investment to buy a reliable DI box? If so, what would you recommend?
Really depends on what types of situations you play in! Radial and Pinstripe both make great options! I prefer the Pinstripe stuff but it’s is just a touch more expensive
How about the Walrus Canvas?@@MichaelWWestbrook
Have you used a Walrus Canvas and if so, what are your thoughts on that in comparison?
I haven’t used it but just based on the construction alone I prefer the Pinstripe. That’s not to say the Canvas isn’t great but I do prefer metal jacks that aren’t board mounted.
I was about to buy a d.i for my hx stomp but your video made me realize I don’t need it… can you confirm that there’s no benefit to me having a d.i. I’d love to just buy two little TRS xlr adapters if I can. And then you recommended setting the hx stomp to line level.
Nothing against the video, but people: you don't need a fancy $269(!!!) DI and you don't need a jack to XLR cable. Practically every (home) recording device or live mixer has jack in with enough adjustability for the correct input signal. And so you won't damage your product with phantom power. IF you need XLR (I would, in a live situation): a short patch cable to any active DI will do. You don't need to look up all the specs of every DI and what coloring they will add and what they will do to the output signal, etc.. The output will be fine and plenty loud for any kind of preamp. The JDI example wasn't really relevant, since nobody will crank the volume to the max (no need to) and it's passive. Use active. :) If you have money to spare: by all means, buy the DISO+: it's great. If you have a DI or a simple audio interface lying around: use it. If you think this and that very expensive DI sounds slightly fuller: adjust the EQ. You won't hear the difference live anyway. : )
I hear ya - not everyone needs this but even a pair of “cheap” active DI’s will cost you close to $200. A Radial Stereo Active DI is over $350 new… kinda makes the DISO+ look like a deal. It’s made well and will hold up over time all while doing a great job at its intended goal. The comparison is for those who are interested. IMO, it’s really not that big of a difference but I do find the DISO+ to be slightly clearer and punchier.
@@MichaelWWestbrook Yeah true, DI's are pretty pricey nowadays and that Radial price is just crazy. Then the DISO+ is def. a better deal. But you can still buy a €99 audio interface or a €39 cheap DI and get a great sound. I will gladly make a video for the people interested showing that that is enough for most cases, if you know what you're doing. :) My gripe with these kinds of videos is that people are getting more and more insanely spec hungry and overanalysing every potential aspect of every thing they're thinking of buying. Thinking they need all kinds of boutique stuff, often before even trying something or before even knowing how to play. And also beginners getting scared about things like 'oh I'm gonna damage my pedal with 48v' (I've never seen this happen in over 15 years of professional playing) and thus thinking they need more expensive stuff. BUT! This is my problem and it's not like I'm changing the world by complaining about it.. And you recently sold me on the ACS1 a while ago, with one of your video's, so thanks. : )
I totally agree about folks sweating the small things and worrying about specs too much. Gear is so good now (even the cheap stuff) you can make great music with any of it. Some folks don’t get to that last step because they are busying worrying about buying the next big thing.
Show me a professional touring stage that provides line inputs to the console?. 99.999% of live audio production companies floor packages consists of analogue XLR lines that run to a mix rack containing MIC PRE’s. Not line level inputs!
His point is that you can negate the need to engage the gain pot on the mic pre by providing a hotter signal to the board from the get go.
When I purchased my ISA One, I corresponded with Focusrite via multiple emails back and forth. Word from them is that balanced vs nonbalanced is a non-issue with almost all modern gear. In other words - worry about something else!
If you're not on tour, you don't need this. Save your money kidz.
Where would I put the DI? Guitar >DI>pedals>amp or Guitar>pedals>DI>Amp??
Thank you, the informatve video is a confirmation of why I really love my rack DISO+. Do you XLR to TRS when going out from DISO to audio interface or XLR to XLR?
Depends on the audio interface. On most interfaces with combo XLR/TRS jacks the XLR is meant as a microphone input and the TRS is meant as a line input.
So, it also depends on the output level of your modeller. If it's already line level and doesn't need much further amplification, the line level input (TRS) is fine, but if your modeller has instrument level outputs, you'll probably need the extra gain of the mic pre (XLR).
However, the XLR input should work either way.
Have you ever tried using a specifically designed -15db pad on a hot signal in JDI.. and than compare with DISO? I guess not)
You could do that but then you’d have even less signal and have to crank the pre even more.
This raises an interesting issue with pedalboard modelers used live. In the studio probably less important because you can use a short unbalanced cable to the HiZ input of a preamp. The transformer of the JDI definitely can get saturated, as would most other passive DIs running a line level signal. That’s a desirable thing I’m some cases but a good active DI is almost always going to be more transparent. The DISO+ is a smart solution though.
Hey Michael I’m back in the comments! Dude you gotta do a comparison with the DISO+ and the NEW Warlus Canvas 😬
I'm curious about this as well! Seems like they're pretty much the same thing, right?
@@nodfactor8808 ya I think so! I was gonna go with the DISO+ bc I saw it had unbalanced outs if I wanted to go to an amp instead for FOH… then I noticed the Canvas has it too. Plus, I’m broke and ShopPay let’s me pay it in 4 payments interest free 🤘
❤️ the tone at 9:00, sick! plus that gold top is😍 what’s the story with that guitar? pups? love the channel!
It’s a custom shop 57’ reissue. Stock pickups. I think they are burstbuckers, not the most chimey but they a thing so good
Speaking of quality etc…
Thoughts on using 454 22AWG 2-Conductor Stranded Shielded Miniature Line Level Audio Cable in the pedalboard vs the normal patch cables to save space. Line level is considered higher quality than instrument, it’s shielded etc and significantly thinner and easier to route bunches into tight spots.
I run my amp into a load box,out of the Load Box into pedal board,then into my interface….Would one of these be necessary or helpful in my situation?
Depends on what load box you are running. If it has XLR outputs then no, the DISO+ isn’t necessary!
@@MichaelWWestbrook I have several,and they all have XLR outs…But….I have a few of the old Rockman Modules which I run straight into the interface,and those do not have XLR outs…
Great demo! I'm getting some noise from what i think is the WiFi network in my building. It's occur between my amp modeler and my USB interface. Both are connected to the same power board/multi plug. I've tested them both individually and the noise goes away and are crystal cleanr Am i right in assuming that its a ground loop interference? And will a line Isolator like the DISO+ help to eliminate the noise? Cheers.
Silly Q - Does the DISO+ act as a balanced line splitter as well? Want to use this box to run my Friedman IR-X to FOH and monitor FRFR.
Mako acs 1 have two uunbalanced output. So it need di box. Is it better to have dsm humboldt, it alreasy have two balanced output.?
wow, very informative. i knew about phantom power, as i heard it somewhere, and i'm a sound engineer. but, it really is a great idea the di box idea however, the 48V travels along which core of the xlr, i assume obviously not the ground, so isolating it from one of the two hot wires is done with a di?
The DI box has to passive or it can be active? When coming from a NUX MG300, for example.
I have an Iridium as well, but I also have a Lehle P-Split III laying around here. Wonder if that would do a job similar to the DISO.
is it necessary to turn on phantom power when using DISO+ ??
No! No phantom needed
Would the Atomic Ampli -fire be best then with it having an XLR out built in?
I have a jhs clover with an xlr out. Could I place the clover after my iridium as a di output?
Yeah, it seems like it!
is it necessary to turn on phantom power when using Diso+
No!
my mixer has line inputs . i go out of my modelling device (zoom / nux) in to the mixers line in . is this wrong or bad in any way ? the cable run is not long its maybe ten feet .
If it works with no issues then great! I’ve heard people being able to do this when only using sort runs.
Great video :) If i run pedals after the hx stomp would i have to use a di box not a line isolator as i would not have a balanced output or would i? Thanks
Correct!
Does it do simultaneous XLR and 1/4 output?
Yes!
Would Really like some Feedback: I have a LR BAGGS PARA ACOUSTIC DI you know the Brown Brick , and was wondering if that would be compatible with the IRIDIUM or any other Amp in a Box as I don’t really want to lay out on another DI if the BAGGS PARA is Compatible if you get my Drift 👍🏻⭐️🌞❤️
Hey, I have a milkman the amp 100. I know it's not a modulater, but Iwas wondering if a di or a diso+ could beneficial in this case
Good video. So you would put the diso+ at the end of your chain, after your amp modeler?
Thanks, and yes, that’s correct!
Speaking of wanting to use one of the Temple Audio Pedalboard modules, should I just use the XLR Module or use their new DI Module for stereo? Trying to see what is a better fit for no signal loss of a DI since I only need a Line Separator
Sorry, I’m not familiar with those
I use the active DI module. Works great. Don’t use the passive one.
Does Radial SB6 line isolator work the same way? Thanks for the answer in advance)
I'm curious if you'd recommend a DISO+ for home recording situations? I've noticed that the output of my ACS-1 is pretty quiet and I need a preamp to boost it. Would the DISO+ help boost the signal from the ACS-1?
Really great video, what about if the DI is active ? you have used a passive one, would it be the same with an active DI ?
Thanks.
An active DI is going to give you more gain because it basically has a preamp in it but the idea is similar, you have an unnecessary step. Without looking at the signal path of the DI I’m unsure if it would solve the saturation/headroom issue while running running high output modelers
@@MichaelWWestbrook Ok, thanks a lot, very helpful....
I don't get it. I bought a modeler to eliminate all my pedals. Doesn't the modeler have this built in? What about the direct out on the line 6 powercab. Doesn't that do the job? Confused
Yes, if it has an xlr out it’s not needed. Unfortunately a lot of these small format modelers don’t
@@MichaelWWestbrook got it. My Helix floor, my power cab and my Amparo all have balanced XLR out so I guess I don't need it
Except for the fact you may get hit with phantom power in a live environment which will wreck your outputs as the output isn’t protected by a transformer on a helix.
Additionally the benefit of a device like the DISO is to eliminate ground loops if for whatever reason you have multiple paths to ground. Example, you’re plugged into an amp, and also plugged into a console via an XLR. Being able to lift the ground will kill any earth loops present. A helix on its own direct into a console won’t present any earth loops because it is DC power which by nature isn’t connected to ground. The helix would therefore simply be earthed down the XLR ground pin, through the console earth.
hey I have a quick question, am I able to connect the xlr outputs of a J48/JDI to a balanced TRS Patchbay? I want to use them to experiment with my guitars/synths/pedals/drum machines/modular synths etc.. Thanks
When not using the xlr, could it be use to go quarter inch to an amp? Nice vid by the way 👍
Yes! 1/4 inch and XLRs can be used at the same time, even.
The Pinstripe sounds like it raises the noise floor more and degraded the signal somewhat…. Whereas the radial is darker but imparts a very tube like clean signal, typical of a passive jensen transformer… i guess it all depends on what you want to achieve
A bit confused by this. The pinstripe is quieter for sure and you don’t have to push preamp gain as much. Not sure that this clip so cases that specifically though. The JDI sometimes requires me to push the pre into a range where it’s starts getting noises. The radial is darker for sure. I always feel like it imparts a low-mid thing to the sound and isn’t as open in the top end.
@@MichaelWWestbrook The products are nearly identical, both using jensen transformers…even if you do a null test there is little difference (a video on yt shows this)… Pinstripe claims they are unique becoz they have a line isolater also, however any transformer based DI with a ground lift is a line isolator, like all radial boxes. The null test difference shows that DISO has more HF noise then the JDI, and this is likely becoz it uses less shielding and thinner steel casing the n the JDI. The additional HF noise on the pinstripe makes it sound brighter, and this can be a good thing, but those HF tones are inherently unstable as they are from EMF waves in your studio. Also the pinstripe is impedance optimised for the Iridium, which is great but it makes is useless as a general DI, because things like the Radial have wider impedance ranges to accept… which is why pinstripe shy away from calling their product a true DI because it has a narrow application.
Thanks Michael for your videos! I've really enjoy and learn a lot from them! I was wondering how you record with the walrus audio acs1/iridium? I have been plugging my acs1 straight into my interface which is just a Behringer U-PHORIA UMC202HD (nothing special). I find the quality is no way near as good as if I were the plug my earphones into the headphone jack on the acs1. Whats the best way to record with them? Many thanks!!
What kind of difference are you hearing specifically? I’ve heard this complaint with the ACS1 and the Iridium but have always felt the complete opposite with my set up. I always prefer running it through my interface compared to the headphone outputs.
@@MichaelWWestbrook To me there's less clarity, more 'trebly' and less bottom end. I am not sure if the DAW might have anything to do with it? I am using GarageBand. Thank you very much for your reply, appreciate it greatly :)
I’ve had a muddy and harsh sound with acs1 and Behringer interface. I’ve swapped it for ssl2 and the problem was gone. Guess it was about the preamps.
I run my iridium before an el cap and flint and then into my PA (which has an xlr/1/4” input) and use a trs patch cable into iridium and out of iridium and then a long trs cable out of the flint into the PA. Are there any flaws in this method? Your explanation is admirable but I’m afraid my brain falls on the wrong side of the bell curve.
There is nothing gained by running TRS cables with the iridium because it is an unbalanced (TS) output. You would get the same result using a typical guitar cable. If this works for you then great, but you could run into some of the issues I mentioned in the video (noise, impedance mismatch).
@@MichaelWWestbrook thanks for the reply! Will look into the DISO+!
DI after everything and befora the soundcard right? Passive or ative Di?
Correct. Eithe passive or active will work. Obviously you’ll end up with a high signal with the active
@@MichaelWWestbrook Thanks man!!!
Neve RNDI is the onyl DI you'll ever need
The difference of the sound in the video between the JDI and DISO is apparent, however I can spot a problem plainly with the comparison.
At 7:46 it looks like you level matched the two signals in the Mic Preamp itself, which meant pushing the Mic Preamp gain way higher than you'd ever need to when using a JDI (3 o'clock). When you do that, you saturate the sound with unwanted Mic Preamp coloration. Also, the DISO should really be running into the Line Input of the Clarett, not the Mic Preamp ... having the Mic Preamp engaged for the DISO with a gain set around 10' oclock was adding more fuel to JDI input "fire" as you attempt to level match.
The level matching should really have been done within the mixing interface, not the Clarett input. For instance, you wouldn't do a comparison where the DISO signal was too hot for a Mic Preamp, or then it would have been the DISO at a disadvantage instead of the JDI. I've done this comparison with both the DISO and the JDI and they resulted in a virtually identical sound when proper gain staging was used for each. They are both very good devices and one sounding significantly different from the other is easily attributed to sub-optimal gain staging.
I wouldn’t say it’s a problem but more so a real world example as it was intended to demonstrate. In a live situation this is exactly how it would be run. That’s one reason my audio engineer friends swear by it, you don’t have to crank preamp gain to get good level.
@@MichaelWWestbrook I'll have to respectfully disagree. For a gig, proper gain staging should be applied to every channel for both good level AND good audio fidelity.
DISO shouldn't be running straight into a Mic Preamp in the first place. After all, the purpose of a Mic Preamp is to take Mic Level and increase it to Line Level, along with also making a good impedance match to the Mic. The DISO is already Line Level and should be sent into Line Inputs, which are available on the Clarett as 1/4" TRS. I can only suspect the reason you didn't do the proper connection was simply because the DISO uses XLR connectors and it's simple to err by plugging in from XLR to XLR without consideration (or adapters). But I'll put that aside because in the grand scheme, it's usually not a huge sound crime to run Line Level into a Mic Preamp. It's definitely not best practice, but as long as the level of the signal going in isn't too hot for the Mic Preamp to handle at its lowest gain setting, it's okay.
As for the JDI, Mic Preamp gain shouldn't have to be cranked that hard in order to get a hot enough signal, and definitely not in an effort to compete with a Line Level signal that's ALSO being fed into a Mic Preamp for a shootout comparison. That's not real-world. Cranking the Mic Preamp gain that hard is going to degrade the original sound and should be avoided if possible. There would very likely be another option for a gain or a pad stage prior to the Mic Preamp that could be adjusted before going to that extreme on the gain control to get a reasonable -12 or -18 peak.
I'll stick with my assertion that this is why I hear a difference in the example ... it's not an inherent difference in sound between the JDI and the DISO (both which use quality Jensen Transforms), it's in the implementation. I've also done my own comparison of the DISO and JDI along with Focusrite ISA Preamps and was mindful of proper connections and gain staging. Any difference in sound was imperceptible. Only evidence of any difference was through a null test, and even that was very minor. I'm not advocating one over the other, if your sound engineer is okay sending them Line Level at a gig, go for it, DISO all the way.
I took the time to write this hoping to give you something more to think about in your own quest or future shoot outs. Good presentation and info about balanced signals!
Nah you’re wrong sir! As he explained he is demonstrating what would happen in a live scenario, not studio.
In a live environment 99% of the time every signal from the stage hits a mic pre. So it is a fair real world comparison as there would likely be a 20db input gain boost required on a JDI vs the pinstripe. This is the point he demonstrates.
In the studio, I agree with you. You would feed it into the line input. However most line inputs on studio gear simply engages a -15/20db pad on the mic pre and still continues to route the signal through the mic pre. It often isn’t its own separate gain stage. I feed line level into my line input on a UA Apollo. I know for certain this just pads the mic pre circuit. Also most modern preamps, especially those on pro mixing consoles / stage racks can handle line level at the input without distortion.
@@matthewjamesmichael While you are correct in several of your assertions, such as availability of Mic vs Line inputs at gigs, or the use of the Pad switch, I'm afraid that you missed my point.
He is attempting a VOLUME level match between them using just a Mic Preamp Gain control, which he shows at 7:45. Gain is not the same as Volume. In the real-world, live or studio, the Gain control of a Mic Preamp is used to set a nominal gain structure. Mixing of volume comes later.
Bottom line. If you took 2 JDI's and recorded one with nominal gain structure and the other with an extreme gain boost like in the video, then mixed them together in the DAW so that the volume was the same, you would hear this same difference even though the 2 boxes are the same.
If the point was just to show that there IS a difference between Line and Mic level, that's fine. The problem I had was how this lead to a false equivalence when comparing the sound. The fault of that lays with the engineer, not the boxes.
@@jmkmusicpedals I don't really agree still. He is doing exactly what you said, setting the same nominal gain structure for both sources. I can make a confident guess that both faders are set at 0db. Therefore he is using the gain pot to correctly set the input signal on both DI's to hit the same input gain - which is the correct way to gain structure. Let's assume both sources are hitting -18dBFS. He isn't volume matching with the faders, he is input gain matching with the gain pot which makes total sense as the argument for using a line isolator is that you introduce less noise into the signal as you require less input gain at the preamp.
Hey Michael, are you familiar with the TA link? Would it get the same job done as the DISO+?
I think that is more of a SGI replacement right? A way to send guitar signal to amps over long distances. Maybe if you just used the “send” side? Not really sure but I know it’s intended use is different than the DISO+
@@MichaelWWestbrook Yeah it's an alternative to SGIs. I've been wanting to get an ACS1 as an alternative to my amps and thought I could save a few bucks by using it with the TA link and not get the DISO+, although I'm sure the DISO has some great utility.
The TA Link should perform the same function, however there is no ground lift on the Send/TX box. Ground lift is on their RX box (as it should be for those systems). HTH!
@@pinstripe_pedals Gotcha, thanks for the response! I ended up getting the Pinstripe lol
Is there any need to use one with the HX stomp as it is balanced and has protection for phantom power too? Also, this is the best explanation of balanced and unbalanced signals I’ve seen!
Thanks! In the case of the HX stomp it serves as a way to get to xlr, a way to lift the ground in case of hum and a patchbay. Still useful for sure.
A quick side note: @8:08 the ACS1 makes a subtle fuzz/clip sounds on the attack of the chord. Mine does this as well and it drives me crazy. I wonder if it is digital clipping of some sort? So I have to drastically lower the Volume. (not sure if that bothers you) BUT I've heard the DISO actually adds volume, compared to not using any DI at all. Is this true? Thanks!
Previously I've run the ACS1 volume with a standard DI at about half way because of what I talk about in the video - the DI will saturate or add a subtle clipping type sound. People have also mentioned a clipping sound with the new update that I haven't been able to replicate. I'm not really hearing what you mention at 8:08 other then the DI saturating and softening the attack.
Also, I'm not sure if the DISO adds volume compared to no DI at all but the difference could be related to impedence differences or balanced vs unbalanced cable issues.
That would drive me crazy too. It sure sound like digital clipping, and I don't think it is coming from the DI. Sounds a bit like clipping an audio interface input.
@@MichaelWWestbrook is correct in that the DISO is not adding volume. You're just used to the level drop of feeding a line level into the resistor inside the front end of a DI.
@@joshcruz3 Correct that the DISO+ does not add volume because the transformers are 1 to 1, meaning the signal level going out is the same as the signal going in. Virtually all passive "direct boxes" will drop the signal level because the transformer windings are around 12 to 1 (primary/input side to secondary/output side). This gives a high input impedance and a low output impedance (design goal) but the consequence is a signal drop of about 20dB, typically with no pads. Normally, a passive DI will have a series input resistor to limit input current, but it has a very small influence on the signal level. HTH!
Does the ground lift switch work for both the 1/4” outs and the XLR outs?
The ground lift is only for the XLRs, though we have built units with isolated 1/4 inch outs in place of the XLRs if you need that. Drop us an email if you'd like to discuss.
Can't I go iridium to mixer, to interface without issue?
using jacks should be fine, but if you run jack to XLR (out) there can be the issue of phantom power going into you unit. My helix got F.....d by a soundguy sending Phantom power into my XLR outs, now I only use unbalanced jacks out (the XLRs are F...d now) and I don't have to worry about that anymore. Even phantom blockers need time to engage before being hooked up to the sound source, so that's not 100% safe either.
Do you think we'll ever have XLR outputs on guitar?
It has been done, it goes back to Les Paul (the man), it's great for clean sound direct to board, bad idea for running pedals and amps FWIW. Check the Gibson Les Paul recording model. It has a low impedance design circuit for direct to mixer use, including special low impedance pickups.
Phase is not the same thing as Polarity, you're talking about signal with opposite polarity on balanced cables, phase is frequency dependent, polarity is fixed, like in a balanced connection
Let's say that your D.I. requires phantom power, does that mean that you risk send the +48V to your moddler? Or is the phantom power decoupled from the input stage?
No, the DI “blocks” phantom active or passive.
How do i powered it on??
Shouldn't you be using the radial active di instead of the passive box used here. I understand if your guitar has passive pickups, you need an active di to bring your signal up. Passive would be for a guitar with active pickups.
No passive is better as he isn’t plugging his guitar direct into the DI. His guitar goes into the modeller which changes the nature of his signal. As his ACS1 is kicking out line level passive is a better choice.
Hello
Your diagram is wrong. The fact that the noises cancel each other out because of the two cables where they circulate in phase opposition is a myth. The truth is that noise is reduced because the two cables are isolated from ground, whereas in an unbalanced connection the signal and the noise flow through the cable AND through the ground braid. Look at the papers of Mr. Bill Withlock member of the AES. (many pdfs on the web) the noise reduction is due to the impedance of the two cables with respect to ground (insulation with respect to ground) and NOT to the fact that they are "in phase opposition". Best regards
The diagram isn’t wrong but only gives part of the picture. From my understanding, what you are saying is not completely correct either…Mr. Withlock states: “The purpose of balancing is to make the noise pickup equal in both conductors, in which case it will be a common-mode signal which can be made to cancel out in the load." So, the balancing of impedance in respect to ground (equal noise pickup on both lines) AND the fact they are “in phase opposition” are what creates noise free operation. If the phase wasn’t flipped it wouldn’t be canceled. It seems what he says is a “myth” is the importance put on voltage while failing to mention the most important part - impedance. Whatever the case… all of this is far beyond the scope of what I could have covered in this video
"I'm not getting paid."
Except you ARE being paid. A free DI is still payment. You wouldn't be doing the video for pinstripe otherwise, and that's the point of paid promo regs.
Yeah, that’s why this video is marked paid promotion… I’m very up front about the “paid promotion” thing. Also, I would have made this video if they hadn’t sent me one because it’s something I’ve been using (before they sent me one) and it’s a new, popular piece of gear that folks want to know about. Free gear doesn’t pay my bills and doing videos for free gear isn’t worth it to me. It’s bigger then that.
Or just buy the dsmhumboldt Simplifier or Simplifier DLX & be done with it
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A DI can be useful on stage for the reasons described in this video, but it is basically pointless for the short cable runs into line level inputs most people have in a home recording situation. Having a balanced signal does not matter that much when the cable run is short, shielded, and the signal levels are strong, as with a modeler into a line input on an audio interface. It's just not really an issue. Also, there will never be an impedance "mismatch" between a modeler output and a line input or a mic input. That is just bad information. It's not true. Any modeler is already going to have a low enough output impedance to drive a line input or mic input on a recording interface without issue. I'm an electrical engineer, and I'm constantly frustrated by the amount of misinformation on this topic I see on the internet. This video is not helping.
Not spreading bad information as I said this generally isn’t a problem with modelers. To clarify, I was talking about DI’s in general help with impedance matching. This comes into play with some acoustic pickups in particular.
And yes, in a lot of scenarios with a short run you don’t need one with an interface but I can’t tell you how many people I’ve seen post in forums who are having noise issues or grounding issues in their home studio because they are running directly in and not using a DI or line leveler. All this to say, I’m not spreading bad information. Maybe some things could be clearer but I’m speaking from experience and the issues I’ve seen others have time and time again.
Thanks for the clarification. I was a bit frustrated to learn here that I was going to "need" another $300 box to run my $300+ dollar ACS-1. It seems to be working just fine going into my Apollo twin mic inputs.
You don't need a DI for the Irridium.
Why?
Then how do you connect to the PA?!
🤔🤔🤔
@@rudals1281 With XLR cable?
@@M.T27 Right. But there is no XLR out of the Iridium so I would need a DI box. That's my set up for live every week.
Thanks for this video. Super well explained! Would the Iridium work better with the Radial Active or Passive DI box?
An active DI is going to give you more output for sure. Either will work fine but don’t crank the output levels on the modeler.