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Reccomend a good one. Active, with an EQ. Other options...optional.

Not what you're asking at all, but is it feasible to switch to an amp that has one? I did a'ight back when I had a Sansamp BDDI but having one built in to my amp is just so easy. Doesn't help you out with an EQ, though....

I should probably elaborate, i don't feel like paying for an amp. I'd rather get a DI. It would be more versitile, too.

Just dont come back crying when it sounds like shit, especally with effects

Fuck DIs

Hrm. Well, best DI is obviously gonna be the Rusty Box, using a 1/4" to XLR adapter for the balanced output or whatever. Otherwise, your options, from best to mehst:

Aguilar Tone Hammer: I've heard good things about this one, don't expect much from the AGS stomp switch or whatever. 12v requirement, IIRC, which can make it kind of a pain.
MXR M80: I know this pedal advertises having a distortion in it. That is a lie. That stomp is crap. This pedal is on my board, because it's a DI with a 3 knob EQ, which works well enough when I play for my church. Also, for the love of God, don't turn on the color switch. It's a mid scoop and a bass boost. You know what scoop rhymes with? Poop.
Sansamp BDDI: I know I've heard lots of good things about this one, but it doesn't have a dedicated mids control. That's pretty much a killer for me right there.

TL; DR: Get the Rusty Box and an adapter.

It depends on what you're after, but I've used a couple.

Radial ToneBone Bassbone has a great DI (it's made by Radial) with a slew of other options. The EQ is very simple; channel one is presets and channel two is only 3 band. Not horrible though. Has a proprietary power adaptor.

EBS MicroBass II is another good DI, although I find that the 3 band EQ on this one is lacking a little bit. Bonus is that it has a mute switch, a blend on the effect loop and can run on phantom power or 9v.

The Aguilar Tone Hammer is my current favorite, and it sounds pretty awesome. It's basically what the amp heads were made from, so it's got a KILLER EQ on it, complete with mid frequency sweep. It's also got a nice gain stage on it that adds a decent amount of grit. Runs on phantom power, or 18v (either battery or the optional adaptor Aguilar sells).

The Phil Jones Bass Buddy is my church rig (which is pretty much from there into the FOH), and since it's pretty much the amp head of the Briefcase, it sounds great also. It has a 5 band EQ (which is VERY responsive) and limiter. It can run on 18v, but doesn't have as many capabilities as when it is plugged in with the included power supply.

The Radial stuff is good -- Bassbone is the biggie.
Or the Sansamp VT Deluxe or Para Driver.
I have a BDDI and an EQ so it works for me.

Or you could blow $600 on an Avalon U5...

Fuzz_Pi wrote:Just dont come back crying when it sounds like shit, especally with effects

Fuck DIs

My thoughts exactly

I really think getting an amp is worth it to be honest, but if you reeeeaaaally just want a DI, the only ones I know about are the sansamp and mxr m80, both of which are pretty good but not great. Rusty box looks pretty good.

I have a BDDI and it sounds good to me. If you plug it direct, it sounds really good. They are kind of right though. It does not sound as good with certain effects. If you aren't using effects though it sounds great!

I love my Rusty Box, and with a TRS cable, it's a balanced output. Also, Aguilar Tone Hammer sounds neat, and rather expansive in it's controls.

Grrface wrote:MXR M80: I know this pedal advertises having a distortion in it. That is a lie. That stomp is crap.

Seriously. When I had one I used to turn the gain knob all the way down and use it as a mute switch instead. Horrible horrible horrible distortion.

gk backline 600 amps go for cheap on ebay and cragislist, and they have an XLR direct out.