Are DI boxes really necessary to record a synth?

Antonino · Post by **Antonino** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 4:14 pm

Hello! I just wanted to ask if there's a big difference between recording a synth plugged directly from its outputs and one recorded through a DI box.
Until now I just connected my synths to the mixer from their main outputs, but I would like to know if it's maybe worth to purchase some DI boxes..

Thanks and happy new "synthy" year!

jasedee · Post by **jasedee** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 5:30 pm

A "good" DI box makes a difference. There are some beautiful tube/valve DI's out there that sound gorgeous, but will cost you a small fortune.

If you are only using your synths in the studio, and your mixer/audio interface are decent, than I would say having an average DI probably won't make much difference.

A cheap DI won't make your synths sound better, unless you are experiencing problems like hum or bad signal to noise ratio when recording, for example your levels are too low or noisy, or there is an audible hum.

OriginalJambo · Post by **OriginalJambo** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 6:51 pm

Since synths are almost always line level you don't really need a DI box to record them. That doesn't mean you shouldn't use a DI box, or a good DI box might not improve the sound but, unlike a guitar or bass, you can great results without one.

Altitude · Post by **Altitude** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 7:22 pm

There is no reason to use a DI box on a line level synth output. All a DI does is convert a high impedance signal to a low level one. a good preamp is a different story though..

Post by **johans121** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 10:42 pm

Altitude wrote:There is no reason to use a DI box on a line level synth output. All a DI does is convert a high impedance signal to a low level one. a good preamp is a different story though..

Exactly.

xpander · Post by **xpander** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 12:24 am

not necessary whatsoever.

Antonino · Post by **Antonino** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 6:33 pm

Thank you for all the replies! I'll probably take a DI Box only for the Performer, since the output is actually quite low and noisy.

Bitexion · Post by **Bitexion** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 8:31 pm

The biggest issue with some synths are that they are too low signal level..that's when the DI box does the job by boosting it to line level. It's not necessary usually. If you have a good loud signal without clipping, no need for extra boxes to obscure the soundpath.

Post by **johans121** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 8:38 pm

Antonino wrote:Thank you for all the replies! I'll probably take a DI Box only for the Performer, since the output is actually quite low and noisy.

Unless that noise is due to a grounding issue, that DI will not help get rid of it. And rather than using the gain stage found on a DI to boost the Performer's levels, I recommend you just get a pre-amp (There are plenty of cheap options if money is a constraint).

Post by **Stab Frenzy** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 2:28 am

Bitexion wrote:The biggest issue with some synths are that they are too low signal level..that's when the DI box does the job by boosting it to line level. It's not necessary usually. If you have a good loud signal without clipping, no need for extra boxes to obscure the soundpath.

A DI doesn't boost a signal to line level, it converts an input to a low impedence Mic Level signal. 99% of the time when you plug a synth into a DI you have to pad the input and so you're actually attenuating the signal, not boosting it.

You might be confusing a DI with a preamp that has a DI input, which does output at Line Level.

xpander · Post by **xpander** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 8:26 am

it is useful if you want to use the DI box to convert to a balanced signal for runs of over 15 feet where you would otherwise be rolling off frequencies.

hollandturbine · Post by **hollandturbine** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 4:35 pm

Would a DI box give any advantage when using guitar effects pedals with a synth?

Antonino · Post by **Antonino** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 5:47 pm

I'll just post you the link from where my doubts started..

http://chambinator.free.fr/english/diboxus.htm

Altitude · Post by **Altitude** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 6:01 pm

Antonino wrote:I'll just post you the link from where my doubts started..

http://chambinator.free.fr/english/diboxus.htm

I really would have to see some proof regarding this, this is the first I have ever heard of this

jasedee · Post by **jasedee** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 2:26 am

Antonino wrote:I'll just post you the link from where my doubts started..

http://chambinator.free.fr/english/diboxus.htm

Interesting link.

You could always check the output specs from the synth manufacturer to determine the output impedance