Hi,

I am new around here. From where I come from, it is almost impossible to try out gear so i would like to hear your opinions on this.

I just sold my console and I need something to drive my keyboard sound modules/ samplers before going into the DAW.
I currently have a 2 channel John Hardy M-1 but it does not have a DI. So I am looking at the following DIs:

Groove Tubes DITTO
Avalon U5
Or any other DIs/ with some gain

Would appreciate any input on this. Or do u think I should sell off my beloved M-1 and get the newer preamps w/DIs. The cost is around the same I guess.

Thank you.

Ian

I have the Avalon U5. It's great for those instruments. I think it would be a great choice for your needs.

Good luck.

I'd have to agree about the U5. It's a great di. Tried and true on keys, bass, guitars.

I think it also depends on the kind of sound you are looking for. I just bought a couple DITTO's and I love them. But the Avalon's might be less colored sounding if that is what you are looking for.

I did substitute the tubes in my DITTO's based on the recommendation of the GT guy that designed it. For a less obviously colored tone I now have GT7025 tubes in them instead of the factory tubes. Sounds beautiful. The factory tubes sound excellent on guitar and bass though. It's nice to be able to modify the sound of a DI by popping in different tubes.

I also use a stereo passive DI made by Jensen Transformers, their ISOMAX model.

Since you already have a nice preamp, you might want to just get a few different DI's, as that will give you a lot of tonal flexibility.

Thanks for your input. I have decided to get both the DITTO and the U5 so that I can compare them. I have a feeling I will keep both. Thanks anyway.

Ian

The DITTO rocks...unless you don't like the DI on the Vipre.

I would check out the Little Labs stuff as well. Their Multi-Z DI has been a favorite of mine for a long time, and they have a new product called the Red Eye that may be just the thing to use in conjunction with your Hardy (don't sell the beloved Hardy!)

Cheers,
john

I had been using my GT Vipre for tracking bass guitars, I figured - hey this is a Vipre, it's gotta sound the best , but the other day I tracked my Fender Jazz through an API 3124+, and got even better results. I guess it's better to listen with your ears than your eyes.

That's true, but it's very subjective also. I tried the same thing, still got better results with the Vipre and the DITTO. Much smoother, the API's need a little help IMO (like a FATSO) to soften the edges a bit.

I agree, it is very subjective Nathan - type of music, type of instrumentation, density of music etc. etc. will all play a role in which pre/di sounds best on which instrument in each given scenario.

Lately for DI (esp. synths & basses)
I've been using the RNP,
into a FATSO,
into an Avalon 747...

This chain may not top the U5, etc., etc.
but I've been getting great sounds,
and the musos are happy...
rollz rollz rollz rollz rollz
Rock and Roll,

I have the Pendulum MDP-1. It is a great tube mic pre but is also simply wonderful as a DI. The DI selects between instrument and line level making it nice for keyboards or just looping a track out and in of your DAW for some extra color.

Bass players have used terms like "responsive" to describe it. 'It growls when I want it to growl' said one.

I don't own any of the units mentioned above so I can't really offer a direct comparison- just to say the Pendulum is worth checking out.

I have one also and couldn't agree more... killer unit!!!

The Pendulum was my first choice, but I just couldn't afford to spend that kind of bread. After more use, I still love my DITTO's, especially with the 7025 tubes.

You must check out the Little Labs DI, my IBP has the same Di as the MultiZ
and it sounds absolutely KILLER, it smoked the Avalon U5 on some bass tracks the other day....

Amund