Radial JDI Reviews 4.9/5.0 based on 7 customer reviews
Sweetwater Advice
Kenny Bergle
This JDI is an answered prayer to sound guys. Even though it's passive, the Jensen transformer allows for completely transparent level transformation. If you need the best passive DI, get the JDI, or JDIduplex. You'll be glad you did. Also it doesn't hurt that they are built like a tank, literally (but no turret).
Another cool uniqueness about the JDI/duplex is that it can be put in parallel with a speaker allowing for capturing the guitar sound after it's been distorted by amp AND speaker! ANOTHER cool function is the JDI's "merge" that allows a stereo device to be merged correctly into mono and sent out the JDI's output. Another cool thing is... ok, I'll stop. Just get one, you'll see! (or hear!) Customer Reviews
Danny Carvalhofrom Kailua, HI January 28, 2013Music Background: Gigging Musician, Producer Cleanest AND Warmest I've heardI bought this DI for recording a bass with 18 watt active electronics. One day I decided to try it on acoustic (my main instrument), and was completely blown away! The first thing I noticed was the lack of distortion—distortion that I didn't even notice before was just not there, and the resulting tone was a huge relief to the ears. Notes in dissonant chords now blend together like they're supposed to, rather than clashing with each other. It allowed a layer of dynamics to shine through that was just missing with my LR Baggs Para DI. I actually had to practice with it for a while, because of how sensitive it was to my attack.This box also warms up the top end slightly compared to active DI boxes—this is not necessarily bad, but good to keep in mind before buying. If you prefer the extra crispness of active DIs, look elsewhere (the JDV would be the active equivalent to this box). While the JDI doesn't "dull" the sound necessarily, it does soften the 10k+ range a little. The transformer also adds some saturation when driven hard, causing notes with harder attack to "pop," in a way that's almost similar to tube compression. It's a very warm and pleasant sound, that remains clear without the bite of an active DI. There's a very analog feel to this DI which, once I got used to it, completely won me over. I HIGHLY recommend it! 
Vince Mendozafrom Lake Elsinore ca USA December 12, 2012Music Background: Professional musician JDI Passive direct boxAs a long time Taylor player I don't usually like the sound as much plugged in. There is what I perceive as a plastic midrange sound that sounds less appealing than when you mic up the guitar properly. With the JDI I was able to capture more of the true sound of the instrument plugged in. Although the difference may seem subtle to some ears it appealed to mine and made me want to play.
en76from hawaii USA September 26, 2012Music Background: hoppyist niceyep love em. warm clean sound.
Charltonfrom Dallas, Texas March 12, 2012Music Background: Live Sound Engineer Only The PurestSome people believe if they buy a better pre-amp, better studio monitors, or special $200 xlr cables that their sound will be better. Let me tell you, look at your existing signal chain, if you do not have a high quality DI in line, start there. The difference was not just a small difference that only engineers would hear, but not the end user. This difference between this JDI and a $50 DI is astounding. You owe yourself to get one of these, and to all you guitar players out there, carry one of these with you and you will have a perfect sound.I had this guy on an acoustic side by side with an Avalon U5, and the JDI was the clear winner (it may have been the tone setting on the U5, but that was the guitar players call, not mine) The clarity, dynamic range, and overall fidelity of this DI is worth way more than the price.
Keith Williamsfrom Cool, California December 1, 2011Music Background: Pro musician (vocalist), recording engineer The Radial JDI BoxThis box is without doubt one of the best additions to my Studio to date. I recently recorded a jazz album and had the JDI box running through an unright accoustic bass. The signal was clean and constant and the bass sounded natural.I also ran this box with my Kurzweil keyboard, the same result. It a produced clean and constant sound throughout the entire nrecording process. This is excellent value for the price and if you want to get the job done right, then the JDI box is the one you will need.
Kyle Ganselfrom Chicago June 8, 2011Music Background: Musician Radial - the way to go for a DII was using a cheap live wire DI for my acoustic on stage and at a show a sound guy had one of these and said he wouldn't let me use anything else that night. I also tried a country man too which sounded incredible. We use IEM's so it's easy to tell the difference between a great DI and a crappy one when the sound is right in your ear. The live wire was not as clear / crisp. Sweetwater recommended this one also and the tone out of my Taylor Acoustic is awesome. The only draw back is that it's a little larger and heavy adding a tad bit more weight to the gig bag but the weight is worth the added tone and beyond!
Jordan Wolffrom Huntington, IN October 2, 2007Music Background: Audio Technician/Student Great Passive DII had been mulling over which DI to get and I chose to get this one. I know of Jensen transformers' reputation so I figured that a DI with one would be a great investment. As a passive DI, this thing rocks! The merge function is fantastic and I'm so glad that it can handle practically any level thrown at it with ease and without distortion. My next investment will be a good active DI for those pesky, cheap, and passive acoustic guitar pickups that so many college students seem to like. You CAN NOT go wrong with this DI... |
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