A reliable direct box is a must-have for any live music venue, especially when dealing with guitar and bass on stage. But solving common issues with guitar rigs might require more than just a DI box. Adding some simple but powerful devices to a gig bag or a venue’s toolkit will help in taming noise, achieving consistent tone, managing long cable runs, and improving the sound quality of wireless receivers.
One: Tame noisy multi-amp setups with an isolation transformer. The proliferation of multi-amp setups has made it easier to create complex soundscapes but it has also increased the chances of running into ground loop noise in the system. Hum and buzz can easily come into play in these scenarios, especially when you have multiple powered devices connected to one another.
That’s where an isolation transformer comes in. While ABY switches and guitar splitters can help alleviate ground loop noise with their ground lift switch, they’re not as reliable as an isolation transformer, which effectively breaks the electrical connection between the connected devices while eliminating unwanted noise. Inserting an isolation transformer in between any powered devices can remove ground loops in multi-amp setups quickly and easily.
Make sure to check if the artist is employing an ABY pedal or a switcher with transformer isolation, and that the transformer is engaged. If not, having a passive isolator box to insert in-line can save precious minutes during sound check.
Two: Achieve a more consistent tone through the PA. When working with a touring band, achieving a consistent sound in both the artist’s monitors and the house PA can be a challenge. Additionally, replicating mic placement on an amp in different venues can be time-consuming and can easily be undone in an instant with an errant step on stage that moves the microphone stand. And other issues such as stage bleed and feedback can have adverse effects on the sound as well.
To overcome these problems, take a tap of the signal from the output of the amplifier. This way, you can capture the tone of the amp without worrying about stage bleed, feedback, or having a mic kicked over on a cramped stage.
Some direct boxes will offer the option to connect after the output of the amplifier, usually after applying some significant signal padding to prevent damaging the DI with a speaker-level signal. Other purpose-designed products are made specifically for this application and will offer some speaker cabinet emulation for a more realistic sound through the PA and monitors. This is an important addition, as the contribution of the speaker cabinet is an important ingredient in the sound of an electric guitar.
Note that this technique can be used in conjunction with a miked amplifier for additional sound reinforcement, much like blending a DI of a bass guitar with the output of a stage amp.
Three: Manage long cable runs without signal loss using a line driver. Trying to feed a long guitar cable run across a large stage setup or to a remote amp booth can result in signal degradation and increased interference and noise due to the unbalanced, high-impedance signal.
A simple approach is to use a line driver system that converts the output from a guitar or pedalboard into a balanced, low-impedance signal than can run to any remote destination without worry, and then back again once the signal has reached its destination. This setup can be implemented without having to make any changes to the musician’s setup – simply use the line driver system instead of a long instrument cable.
Four: Improve the sound quality from a wireless receiver with a Reamp box. When working with guitarists who use wireless packs and receivers, a common complaint is that the guitars sound worse than having them directly connected to effects pedals and amplifiers. This is because the output from a wireless receiver is typically much lower impedance than a guitar pedal or amp is designed to accommodate and the resulting sound can be unnatural and harsh.
Improvement can be attained by implementing a Reamp box. (Note: “Reamp” is a registered trademark of Radial Engineering). “Reamping” is a well-worn studio process that involves recording the raw, direct output of an electric guitar or bass, then playing that signal back through one or more amplifiers and recording it again so the amplifier choice and tone settings can be adjusted independently of the recorded performance.
While Reamp boxes are typically used in studio environments for recording and mixing, connecting one at the output of the wireless receiver can result in an improved tone. Since the box is designed to take a line-level, low-impedance input, it interfaces optimally between the balanced output of a receiver and a guitar pedalboard and amplifier.
In live performance touring situations there are very few “certainties” – yet without question, there is one: some technical glitches will crop up no matter how well everything worked the night before. For this reason, having these four tools at the ready can help reduce headaches and panic attacks during sound check while offering peace of mind night after night.
