Running Steel Direct

Drew Belk · From: Nashville, TN

I'm about to invest in an Avalon U5 for my acoustic set-up (mandolin, banjo, acoustic, dobro) and I was wondering if anyone has had any experience running the steel direct for in-ear monitor shows? I know this would be a big no no for tried and true amp users, but if anyone has any advice on this, I would appreciate it! Any other luck with other things like "The Brick" or other DIs? Thanks!

Jim Sliff · From: Lawndale California, USA

The only DI I've had luck with - and I still need some stompboxes in front to try to warm up the sound - is the Baggs PAra Acoustic DI. It's made for acoustic applications, but works for direct-inject 6-string and steel. I don't like running direct, but when I have to that's the only way I'll go.
_________________
No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional

Brad Sarno · From: St. Louis, MO USA

Drew.

I wouldn't expect that Avalon U5 to help add warmth to your acoustic instruments. It may be a clean sounding device that has its place, and as many people say about it, it's a very good looking piece of gear. But if you're looking for a means of warming up or smoothing out acoustic pickups, you'll likely be quite disappointed in that particular piece of gear.

Brad

Dan Tyack · From: Olympia, WA USA

I've got an Avalon U5 I'll sell you. It's gathering dust in my studio. Great sounding super clean DI, but as Brad says, it doesn't add any warmth. It's killer for direct electric bass, but I have a Neve clone with a DI input that does that particular trick.
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www.tyack.com
Capetown girls sing this wrong: "da doo, da doo"

Michael Hartz · From: Decorah, Iowa, USA

My band all use in-ears and run direct including myself. Last summer I purchased one of Brad's Revelation preamps to run direct with. It has switch that if you set to dark, will take out all the piercing high end that is common running thru PA speakers. After using this preamp I was shocked to discover my direct tone now actually sounded BETTER and warmer than any amp I've used previously. I look forward to plugging into this preamp every weekend. It's THAT GOOD!!! Hope this helps.

Dan Tyack · From: Olympia, WA USA

If I was going direct the Revelation pre is what I would buy.

Paddy Long · From: Christchurch, New Zealand

I'm with Dan - the only direct sound I like is through my Revelation Pre.

David Doggett · Posted 27 Mar 2007 8:38 pm

The Revelation is the only one designed specifically for steel, and probably can't be beat. Some people use the POD XT for direct in. It has a preamp model, and several amp models that work for steel. The Twin model with the 15" speaker model is pretty good - not as good as the real thing, but still pretty good. In addition there is a built in tuner, and a ton of effects.

DALE WHITENER · From: TRINITY,NC USA

I've been running my steel direct with in-ear-monitors for three years. I use an Evans preamp and either TubeFex or T.C.Electrnic M300 for effects. The entire band goes direct so loud stage volume is no issue. I've never missed carrying my amps. A good soundman is very important and a seperate monitor mix for everyone is a must. By the way, I'm saving for a Revelation. Very Happy

Hope this helps. Dale

Jim Sliff · From: Lawndale California, USA

If I was to run a POD as a direct-inject device, I would (despite Line 6's claims that their output settings work) still run through a Baggs or other dedicated DI unit with a balanced output.

And I'd honestly try the Baggs before pulling the trigger on the Avalon - I've compared it to several high-end DI's and it had (to me) a much more "neutral" effect on tone with electric guitars, whether low or high output pickups, which is exactly what I want in a DI. In that there is a gigantic difference in price, it would be worth considering - plus I've never found anything better for acoustic instruments either.

One other note - avoid anything "Sansamp" unless you like huge mid humps, "processed" sound and every tone but the right one.

All that being said, nowdays I'll only use a direct box for recording - never live. aving been through far too many gigs with soundmen controlling my tone via direct box stage requiremnents, if the choice is a direct box or take a hike....I'll hike. I can use small enough amps as to not bury the stage in bleed-through, and WILL decide what my guitars sound like via amp/effect choices. The soundboard guys are there to get a good mix and make everyone's personal tones come through clearly and meld together - not to make tonal decisions regarding specific instruments ( I've spent a lot of time sitting behind the board - and always listening to what the musicians want to have presented, not what I thought a particular instrument should sound like).
_________________
No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional

Jay Fagerlie · From: Lotus, California, USA

http://www.mil-media.com/td-1.html

Jay

Darvin Willhoite · From: Roxton, Tx. USA

I run my steel direct and use in-ears in the church praise band I play in. I use a Digitech 2112 preamp/effects processer, but I also use a tube overdrive (ahead of the volume pedal) and a phase shifter (Beringer - EH clone)after the pedal, but ahead of the processer. I like using the stompboxes, because I can kick them in and out with my foot and don't have to use my hands to change the 2112. I use chorus and reverb in the 2112. I then use a Countryman DI after the 2112 to go to the house system. We use Aviom 16 channel personal monitor mixers, so each musician can set their own monitor mix. I have used this setup for about 3 or 4 years now and I love it.

We record our music every Sunday, and I'm happy with the sound I get. I have 3 or 4 patches set up for steel, a couple for acoustic guitar, a couple for mandolin, and 3 or 4 for electric guitar. I play steel about 98% of the time, but I am ready when I need to play something else. I use an Audio Technica wireless system when I play anything but steel. Here is a picture of my setup, although I was using a boss Auto Wah when I took the picture. There was no headroom on the Boss, and I got a lot of distortion, so I replaced it with the phase shifter. I built the rack which has the inputs on one end, and the outputs and power connector on the other.

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Darvin Willhoite
MSA Millennium, Legend, and Studio Pro, Reese's restored Universal Direction guitar, a restored MSA Classic SS, several amps, new and old, and a Kemper Powerhead that I am really liking. Also a Zum D10, a Mullen RP, and a restored Rose S10, named the "Blue Bird". Also, I have acquired and restored the plexiglass D10 MSA Classic that was built as a demo in the early '70s. I also have a '74 lacquer P/P, with wood necks, and a showroom condition Sho-Bud Super Pro.

Michael Haselman · From: St. Paul

I've been using in-ears for about 6 months now. At first we used the DI out of the NV112, but I still wanted some ambient sound (say if the battery dies or something) and it was pegging the monitor board, so we went back to miking the 112. I never put the master volume over 3, so stage volume is ok and I still get some amp sound. That's been working. Eventually I want the Pod XT as an option, though, as I think the band I'm in now wants an amp-free stage.
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Mullen RP D10, Peavey NV112, Hilton volume. Hound Dog reso. Piles of other stuff.

Chris Erbacher · From: Sausalito, California, USA

we are using in ears now and i am playing banjo and steel directly into the board and really digging it for ease of setup and less fuss and weight...i use a presonus tube pre for warming up my banjo and acting as a preamp for my banjo pickup which is passive and produces a very small signal. on steel we have tried micing a twin, going direct from a twin, using a microcube direct, and using a boss gt-6 direct, which has proven to be a no problems solution. i am unsure of how it sounds out front since we haven't gotten a copy of an audience tape, but in the phones it sounds great, and it doesn't add any hiss or humming, let alone the space and weight of carrying around a twin to every gig...

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