Recording Combo Amp with DI Box

[Franknfilms]

I've never used a DI box before but I'm probably going to buy a Behringer Ultra G. I'm not making studio albums or anything, I just want a remotely decent way to record from my Peavey XXX Combo amp. This post is to clarify how to use a DI box with a combo amp.

The way the DI works is that you send the amp to the DI box input and then send out back to the cabinet. Well, since I have a combo amp I'm not sure what to do.

Option 1: External Speaker Output (shared)
This combo amp has an output that splits the signal to the internal speaker and an extention cab. Can I just run this to the DI box and not worry about running the di box back out to a cab?

Option 2. External Speaker Output (full)
I have a switch that makes the output go out to a cabinet and not to the internal speaker. I don't have a cabinet so if I send it out to the DI box I'm sure I will burn out the amp?

Option 3. Effects Loop
Can I just run it from the effects loop send to DI box and then DI box to effects loop return? This seems like the safest option but I'm not sure if it will work.

I want to make sure I know what I'm getting into if I buy a DI box to record a combo amp. Thanks for your help!

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Recording Combo Amp with DI Box

Run it from the effects loop send. There's no risk of burning out your amp this way (DI's aren't usually built to take a fully power amped signal). To run the recorded signal back into your amp just plug your DI out into your effects loop return.

 

[DankStar]

Re: Recording Combo Amp with DI Box

given you don't have another cab or dummy load, you'd have to do the effects loop route.

the ultra g can take a full amp's power though if you ever choose to do it, and has buttons on the front to bring the volume way down on the recording output side.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Recording Combo Amp with DI Box

The ultra g can take a full amp's power though if you ever choose to do it

Personally, I wouldn't put that much faith in a Behringer product. Much safer to use the effects route in case of some sort of failure.

 

[Franknfilms]

Re: Recording Combo Amp with DI Box

Effects loop it is, thanks

 

[J Moose]

Re: Recording Combo Amp with DI Box

You can't plug a speaker level signal right into a DI box without things blowing up.

Some DI boxes WILL take speaker level, things like a Palmer or the H&K redbox... but most DI's are meant for line level only.

Feeding them speaker level signals will usually end with all the magic smoke being let out of both the amp, DI box, and possibly any and all other gear connected in the chain.

If you have a combo amp, really the best thing to do is to stick a microphone on there and be done with it.

The straight DI signal never sounds very good unless the DI box has frequency compensation, like the Palmer stuff. The DI box has to be plugged into a mic pre anyway so its not like you'd be saving a piece of gear or anything.

Too many disadvantages... get a mic!

 

[Franknfilms]

Re: Recording Combo Amp with DI Box

You can't plug a speaker level signal right into a DI box without things blowing up.

Some DI boxes WILL take speaker level, things like a Palmer or the H&K redbox... but most DI's are meant for line level only.

Feeding them speaker level signals will usually end with all the magic smoke being let out of both the amp, DI box, and possibly any and all other gear connected in the chain.

If you have a combo amp, really the best thing to do is to stick a microphone on there and be done with it.

The straight DI signal never sounds very good unless the DI box has frequency compensation, like the Palmer stuff. The DI box has to be plugged into a mic pre anyway so its not like you'd be saving a piece of gear or anything.

Too many disadvantages... get a mic!

I'm okay with the fact that the DI signal doesn't sound that good. I can get a mic, but I can't get: new apartment (right by elevated train), new dog (he likes to bark), new neighbors (very noisy both below and across). I'm trying to record in a tiny city apartment and I'm not looking for studio sound, just something remotely acceptable from a real amp. I'm not sure if I understand your point though, are you saying that a "speaker level signal" is the effects loop and that it will blow everything up, or just won't sound great? So the effects loop is "speaker level" and the line out to cabinet is "line level" and I can only use "line level"? Sorry, I don't know these things, that's why I'm posting. Thanks!

 

[J Moose]

Re: Recording Combo Amp with DI Box

Speaker level is what comes out of the speaker jacks.

Line level is what's coming from the FX loop... line level can be either +4dBv or -10dB.

For reference, mic level is usually somewhere around -50dB with a much lower impedance then line or instrument level. 600ohms vs. about 10k ohms.

The DI box takes a line level signal and slams it through a transformer which converts it to mic level. You'll need a mic preamp to bring it back up to line level.

Most DI boxes will NOT take speaker level... and going right from the FX loop out to a DI to tape usually sounds no different then running say, a Boss distortion box right into the recorder.

Even if the DI won't melt with speaker level signals (like a Palmer) you'll need to provide a load to the amps output transformer to keep it from melting. The DI box is nothing more then a 'pass-through' for an amp, not an "end of line" solution.

If you really need silent recording (like with headphones) then getting a POD or similar box is the way to go.

Or if you want to use your own amp, the Palmer stuff.

http://www.mercenary.com/palmer.html

Otherwise, with a dynamic mic like an 57 right up on the grille of the amp that's about all it hears. Amp sound. Not noisy neighbor sound.

 

[aleclee]

Re: Recording Combo Amp with DI Box

The Ultra G might have been my worst gear purchase ever. Spending a few more bucks on a used Red Box would be a much better investment IMO.

 

[sosomething]

Re: Recording Combo Amp with DI Box

I'm with J Moose on this one.

Mic the amp with an SM57. Just stick the mic right in front of the speaker, almost touching the grille, and your dog could be barking his ass off while a train passes by and the neighbors have screaming trampoline sex and the ONLY thing hitting the board will be amp sound.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Recording Combo Amp with DI Box

I'm with J Moose on this one.

Mic the amp with an SM57. Just stick the mic right in front of the speaker, almost touching the grille, and your dog could be barking his ass off while a train passes by and the neighbors have screaming trampoline sex and the ONLY thing hitting the board will be amp sound.

Replace SM57 with Sennheiser e609 and I agree as well.

 

[Franknfilms]

Re: Recording Combo Amp with DI Box

yeah, it seems like the di box is just a big headache, I'll shop around for a mic

 

[sosomething]

Re: Recording Combo Amp with DI Box

You'll still need a mic preamp but overall your experience will be easier and your recordings will sound better.

 

[DankStar]

Re: Recording Combo Amp with DI Box

yeah, it seems like the di box is just a big headache

it's not, and it doesn't sound all that bad actually for fiddling around. doesn't sound mic'ed to a T, but it's usable quick to set up. I grab mine all the time. peeps have dug the sounds, but I wouldn't do a ultra-G versus mic shootout necessarily, hehe (actually, I did like it better when used with the speaker out of my my line 6 flextone versus using the flextone's "cab sim" recording output). but yeah, it's behringer (one of the stronger behringer products that is - tough metal case). If you have the cash, go for a more expensive/better DI with cab sim. mic'ing is fun, but can be a headache to me for some reason. lotsa variables involved, and gotta have good (or at least know your) ears.

 

[Franknfilms]

Re: Recording Combo Amp with DI Box

You'll still need a mic preamp but overall your experience will be easier and your recordings will sound better.

Not sure what a mic preamp is but I have a fireone recording console for my computer from tascam. It has xlr inputs for a microphone and phantom power, levels, etc. I'm guessing this is my mic preamp?

 

[DankStar]

Re: Recording Combo Amp with DI Box

Not sure what a mic preamp is but I have a fireone recording console for my computer from tascam. It has xlr inputs for a microphone and phantom power, levels, etc. I'm guessing this is my mic preamp?

sounds like you could plug a mic right into it.

 

[El Dunco]

Re: Recording Combo Amp with DI Box

The Ultra G CAN take signal from powered speaker outs. It's designed to also give a 'line out' to tube amps that don't have one.