The key to a killer bass sound requires two main things -- an instrument of reasonable quality and skill. Once you have those two checked off, you can start asking yourself the next important question: do you use an amp or go DI?

What Is DI?

For those of you unfamiliar with the term, DI stands for “direct input” or “direct Injection,” which essentially means plugging in your bass directly onto a mixing board or front of the house PA system (instead of using an amplifier like guitarists do). For a good deal of bass players, this is the preferred way to go for both live situations and recording.  The biggest reason many bassists go this route is the amount of control it gives them over their sound. It’s also the best way to get the “pure” sound of the bass without any added tonal changes added by an amp or mic.  

DI Box

There’s a little tool out there that goes hand in hand with the DI method - the DI box. Also known as a "direct box," a DI box is a little piece of gear that plugs in between the instrument and a mixer/control board -- no amp needed. You might be thinking, "why not just plug my bass directly to the board, without a DI box?" Because it would sound terrible, that's why. Without getting too technical, a DI box works by creating electrical ground isolation between the instrument and the board, matching the impedance of the bass signal and the console. What this means for bass players is that it gets rid of pesky line noise which in turn makes the signal easier to control. While all DI boxes have this functionality, many offer plenty of other killer features. Below are a few awesome DI boxes that we feel deserve a spotlight.  

A Few Of Our Favorite Bass DI Boxes

Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI v2

One of the main reasons why the Bass Driver DI v2 is easily one of our favorite DIs is has got to be the built-in tube amp emulation circuit. This means smooth bluesy tube overdrive, thick and dirty distortion, and even modern slightly dirty slap tones -- all on a single box. And if the situation where all you need is calls for nothing more than a straight-up DI, a simple hit of a switch will disengage the amp emulation circuitry, leaving you with a pure uncolored signal. Of course, all the features in the world would amount to nothing in you don't get the fundamentals right as a DI box. On that front, the Bass Driver fully delivers, featuring three different outputs to drive power amps, recording desks, PA mixers and more. Other core features include Presence for definition and upper harmonic content; Blend to combine the proportion of direct signal and SansAmp circuitry; and active EQ specifically tuned for bass with 12dB of cut or boost.  

MXR Bass DI+

Like the Tech 21 Bass Driver, the MXR Bass DI+ combines DI, overdrive and preamp capabilities into one fully featured package. As a DI, this MXR pedal will not disappoint, able to deliver a strong signal with ease. But of course, that's just the tip of what this little box can do. With the included preamp and three-band EQ, you can meticulously craft your tone to whatever the situation calls for. There's also a built-in noise gate feature to further root out any possible blemishes, making this DI capable of delivering one of the cleanest experiences around. And once you have that strong signal laid down, you can easily add whatever flavor of distortion your heart desires; from a slight growl to full-on madness, the MXR Bass DI+ can bring it.  

Ampeg SCR-DI

Few brands are as synonymous with bass gear as Ampeg, so leave it to them to create a truly awesome DI. Core features include a versatile three-band EQ with added Ultra-Hi and Ultra-Lo tone-shaping switches. Of course, it also comes packing that signature Ampeg tone thanks to the included Scramble Overdrive. From the smooth Portaflex to harmonically-rich SVT, there are plenty of authentic Ampeg tones available. That's not the only thing that makes the SCR special. One of the coolest features is definitely built in practice capabilities. Like a miniature, highly portable amp, you can plug your bass and a set of headphones to the SCR-DI and have a personal jam session. And thanks to the built-in AUX input, you can easily play along to your favorite tracks. If you're a fan of the classic Ampeg sound, this DI was made for you.  

Radial Engineering Pro D2 Stereo DI

If you're looking for a DI box that ditches all the bells and whistles to focus on the core fundamentals, you can't go wrong with Pro D2 Stereo DI from Radial Engineering. First and foremost, it’s easy to use and offers great signal handling without saturation, not to mention extremely low phase distortion in the all-important bass and mid frequencies. In other words, it means a strong, crisp and clean bass signal with amazing definition. It also happens to be one of the best bang-for-your-buck DIs around and works equally well on electric and acoustic guitars. For a DI box that is all killer, no filler, look no further than the Radial Pro D2  

Final Thoughts ...

Whether you're looking for a fully featured pedal that can deliver a great tone or a tried and true box that sticks to the fundamentals, there's a DI perfect for your sound and your instrument. While the four DI boxes above are just a few of our favorites, there’s a lot more where than came from. Have a question about the pieces above or any other gear we carry? Don’t hesitate to chat with one of our friendly ProAudioLand pros by using the live chat feature below or calling us toll free at 1 877-671-2200.