Do You Need a Line Isolator? | Walrus Audio Canvas Stereo Demo and Review

In this video I answer the question - do you need a line isolator or not when using an amp modeler like the Tonex pedal, Strymon Iridium, Walrus ACS1, Universal Audio Ruby / Dream, or Line 6 HX Stomp. I go over what the differences are between a line isolator and a typical DI box and why you might want to add one to your pedalboard setup. In addition, I tell you why I chose to get the Walrus Stereo Canvas and show you the benefits that it provides when playing guitar live and when recording.
Line Isolator Recommendations:
Walrus Audio Stereo Canvas
www.sweetwater.com/store/deta...
Pinstripe Pedals DISO+
pinstripepedals.com/product/d...
‪@pinstripe_pedals‬
Table of Contents:
00:00 - Intro
00:36 - Canvas Overview
00:54 - Do You Need a LI?
02:06 - Use Cases
02:45 - Cons of a DI
03:14 - The Difference
03:45 - Canvas Stereo Features
06:54 - DI vs Line Isolator Demo 1
07:45 - DI vs Line Isolator Demo 2
08:19 - Final Thoughts
Gear Used:
‪@fender‬ American Standard Telecaster
‪@JacksonAudio‬ The Optimist Overdrive
‪@ikmultimedia‬ Tonex pedal
‪@jetpedals‬ Eternity Delay
‪@strymon‬ Cloudburst Reverb
‪@walrusaudioeffects‬ Canvas Stereo
🎛️ My Pedals:
Amp Modeler (Tonex Pedal) - sweetwater.sjv.io/Mmz7Qo
Favorite Reverb - sweetwater.sjv.io/q49YgL
Favorite Klon - sweetwater.sjv.io/5gEojN
JHS Morning Glory - sweetwater.sjv.io/DKG7L2
My Tuner - sweetwater.sjv.io/9gD0e5
My Volume Pedal - sweetwater.sjv.io/k0EYRL
Swiss Army Knife - sweetwater.sjv.io/GmJ7nm
My Delay Pedal - sweetwater.sjv.io/1rBJ19
________________
🔴 My Studio Gear:
Audio Interface - sweetwater.sjv.io/JzX7Jq
Studio Monitors - sweetwater.sjv.io/ZQ57XX
Shure SM57 - sweetwater.sjv.io/XYj7dX
Shure SM81 - sweetwater.sjv.io/Wqr74A
Headphones - sweetwater.sjv.io/nLxYNA
________________
🎸 My Guitars:
PRS SE DGT - sweetwater.sjv.io/6eLmAq
PRS SE Silver Sky - sweetwater.sjv.io/21zZj7
Gibson J45 - sweetwater.sjv.io/R5q71N
Fender Classic Player Jazzmaster
Fender American Standard Telecaster
________________
🎧 My Accessories:
Budget In-Ears - sweetwater.sjv.io/q49YAY
Fancy In-Ears - sweetwater.sjv.io/xkaYy1
Electric Strings - sweetwater.sjv.io/jr0YzP
Acoustic Strings - sweetwater.sjv.io/5gEoA2
Favorite Picks - sweetwater.sjv.io/GmJ70m
Favorite Straps - sweetwater.sjv.io/JzX7Lq
Patch Cables - sweetwater.sjv.io/XYj7LX
Tonex Capture:
Chime City - Clean
www.tone.net/tonex/tonemodels...
alchemycaptures.com
Follow Sunday Tone on Instagram
@sunday.tone
/ sunday.tone
#walrusaudio #tonex #lineisolator #dibox #directbox #frontofhouse #foh #worshipguitar #recording #homestudio #audiointerface #hxstomp #acs1 #uadream #uaruby #universalaudio #line6 #guitartone #praiseandworship #pedalboard #pedaldemo #pedalsandeffects #geartalk #geartalkpnw #churchmusic #churchmusician #cleantone #ambientguitar #gearnerds #dream #ruby #ampmodeler #tonexpedal #strymon #jetpedals

[@sundaytone]

Are you using a line isolator?

[@CrazyBiscuit]

I bought the Miso, lets see how it goes.

[@pinstripe_pedals]

@@CrazyBiscuit 🙏

[@garystackhouse5787]

I AM an audio engineer... louder always SOUNDS better to the human ear/brain. There's no point in doing an A/B comparison between the two to judge differences in sound quality without first matching the levels between the two units. Also, pretty much EVERY professional DI box has a ground lift, and many of them have stereo/sum capabilities.

[@willscott5841]

3-4 minutes into the video and you already answered every question I had about this box. I like it for the feature to run stereo and the layout is perfect for my board. Thanks for the demo!

[@JuancarLord]

thanks for the video, sounds clearer with the line isolator mode

[@rickwiggins283]

I plan on getting two of these isolators for our stage at Church, but remember when doing A/B comparisons to always gain level the two signals because it's a human tendency to think 'louder' sounds better. Here of course the sound man would level match these at the board so what's most important is the tone difference 'after' gain leveling.

[@pinstripe_pedals]

Thanks for the brief mention at the end and the links. Just to be clear, we were the first to advocate for using a line isolator over a typical passive DI with amp modeler pedals and have done so since we introduced the original DISO+ in 2018. We do sell passive DIs as well (and soon will have some active DIs also), but recommend those for other applications. We now offer the DISOxo for those that want a stereo Jensen Transformer signal path in a smaller footprint along with the DISO+, DISO+POLREV, DISO+XLRSUM and a DISO+ with both of those options as well. We also have a mono version: MISO. Love what you are doing with the channel!

[@sundaytone]

Hey thanks so much for checking out the video! And yea those are some great options depending on what you need. I’m now thinking it would be nice to be able to sum to XLR depending on where I’m playing and if I can take up two channels or not.

[@pinstripe_pedals]

@@sundaytone Exactly why we offer that option! Also, the Polarity Reverse option was originally offered for players running dual Iridium rigs and combining either Chime or Punch with Round model as it is out of polarity with the other two models. Of course, polarity is not matched with the famous UA "DRUBY" combo when the Ruby is run in Bril mode (Top Boost emulation) and again the POLREV can fix this same issue for those running two TONEX boxes as well.

[@WorshipGuitarResources]

I’m currently just running a basic DI out of my HX Stomp. The difference in sound quality is pretty noticeable with the Canvas! I’ll have to look into that. Great demo 👍

[@sundaytone]

Thanks!

[@AlexGroen]

Mate, with your Stomp you just need TRS to XLR. The outputs are already balanced😁

[@WorshipGuitarResources]

@@AlexGroen sweet! I’ve been overthinking it 🤔

[@jst601]

@@AlexGroen explain?

[@AlexGroen]

@@jst601 The output of the HX Stomp is balanced, which is the same as an XLR cable (3 conductors). If you get a 1/4" TRS cable on one end and a male XLR on the other, that will work fine, no direct box needed. This is a balanced connection, so can run much longer length than a normal two conductor 1/4" cable. The 1/4" balanced output does work fine when you plug a TS 1/4" cable in to run into an amp or whatever too. (but limited length without noise) One thing to be careful with, the HX Stomp (and all Helix devices) don't like Phantom Power on the line (some mics need it), so ensure the phantom power is off for that XLR input.

[@TemoMorales]

Can you do a video on the exact settings you have for the ToneX pedal. I keep getting weird digital distortion that is amplified with delay. I have my delays after the ToneX. I'm still fairly new to the ToneX.

[@MarkKhaz]

I am relatively new to plugging the line out from my amp (line 6 catalysts in stereo) into my interface, and I never used a DI box - I go XLR on the amps into XLR on the interface. I definitely think line isolator mode compared to the DI mode sounds better in your comparisons, and what I am wondering is if it would sound that much better compared to what I'm doing now. Do you have any thoughts?

[@vidokdjjfj]

谢谢观点!

[@temomorales5074]

Can you do a video on things to consider when using the ToneX through a PA system. Some tips to try if the sound itself is not sounding right.

[@sundaytone]

Are you using a DI and are you running other pedals after the Tonex? I know there are a lot of factors but if it sounds good when you play at home it is probably something after that is causing the issue. Are you using IEMs to monitor?

[@chasekemp]

would love to see a shootout with this vs the Neve RNDI

[@sundaytone]

I would love to try one of those!

[@NikolausBrocke]

To compare the improvement of tone it is very important to avoid the loudness bias (louder is better). You should level match the two signals.

[@andyzpam5441]

The DI/Line Isolator pedal is only for recording and House mixing for live,? does it work for PA and FRFR speakers? thanks

[@dcastillogzz]

Hi! Quick question. Can you explain your signal chain? Those two XLR cables are going to your interface? My interface only have one XLR input. How does that work?

[@sundaytone]

Yea I was running the two XLRs into my interface but you need an interface with 2 inputs. I have the UA Volt 276 and then I pan them left and right. I don’t think there is a way to run stereo with a single input interface.

[@dcastillogzz]

@@sundaytonethanks!

[@rocinblues]

Kind of new at this, so stick with me. I get and understand the signal chain to the mixer. I understand that this device can separately act as both a DI and as Line Isolator. Here is where I am fuzzy. Going from the ToneX into recording via my DAW, what is the signal chain? If I run - guitar to tonex, then tonex to the Line Isolator (for full single), does the Line Isolator connect via USB to the computer and act as the main audio input into the computer? Ok next question: Stereo from the Line isolator. Can I use a "split Y" XLR from the back of the tonex (output), run it through the Line Isolator (into the L/R channels) to create a stereo effect within the DAW? Thank you R.

[@sundaytone]

When using a DI or LI you would run out of that XLR into an audio interface or to front of house (in a live setting). If you are recording into your DAW using Tonex as your interface, you wouldn't need a DI or LI. It mainly beneficial when you are playing live and need to convert your signal to XLR to go to front of house. Or if you want to convert your signal at home to XLR to go into your interface. For your stereo question, Tonex does have stereo reverbs so if you run out of the L and R and are using the built in reverb - it should be stereo. Hope that helps.

[@rocinblues]

Thank you!!@@sundaytone

[@joeymc5272]

I got a diso+ a couple weeks ago and i cant believe i waited so long to try one. Made such a different cleaning up my signal and just sounding overall better. Not a placebo effect. Try it yourself and then make an opinion.

[@sundaytone]

That's awesome! Yea I've always felt like my signal felt a little dull and using a LI has definitely made a difference to me.

[@joeymc5272]

@@sundaytone absolutely man. If anything going from unbalanced to balanced makes a difference in a recording sense. Great content keep it up. God bless.

[@sundaytone]

@@joeymc5272 Thank you 🙏

[@shaner36]

so it makes it louder? why not just use gain on your interface ? thx for the video

[@matthewkemp7554]

So, I'm planning on running a reverb pedal after my modeler and going to front of house out of that. Would this help to convert the instrument level signal to a line level?

[@Gutch220]

It would be line-level in line isolator mode, and mic-level in DI mode (to be amplified later down the line by a mixer/PA/interface, etc. With what you described, you wouldn't be inputting instrument level, the signal would be hotter than than so you'd want to use the line isolator mode (for unbalanced low-impedance line-level input changed to balanced). If you were to plug directly into this DI with your guitar, in DI mode, you would be going from unbalanced high-impedance instrument level.....to balanced low-impedance mic-level.....to front of house to boost back up). The biggest difference between mic & instrument level is mainly low/high impedance, less so the signal strength. The amp modeler alone can boost your instrument level to line level.

[@samuelfuentes824]

Do you run stereo delays and reverbs, and do u use the sum function in the canvas?

[@sundaytone]

I do run stereo delay and reverb - I have used the sun function when running to a single amp and it works pretty well.The canvas only sums to 1/4in though. The summing doesn’t work for the XLR outputs.

[@rhoydotp]

Have you tried adjusting the gain on the interface or DAW? Signal definitely is clearer/louder with the LI mode but would have been good to hear the DI mode at the same amplitude as the LI. Of course, signal-to-noise ratio may be a factor.

[@sundaytone]

Yea I tried a bunch of different things like that when I first got it. I've been using it for a month or so. I was trying to keep this short and simple but that is a good comparison too. I think the noise is a factor and I could perceive a difference in the overall tone. In a big mix it might not be as noticeable but I felt like it was worth it enough to keep it with all the features it has.

[@chilluminatimusic]

Great video, but I think it would be more useful if the examples were level matched. The DI mode reduces the level so the Isolator Mode is quite a lot louder, so I think the people saying it sounds better is mostly just loudness bias. I'm sure it must improve the signal to noise ratio a little, and I'm still trying to wrap my head around this stuff so definitely may be wrong on this, but anyone thinking the same?

[@sundaytone]

Totally understand that. I was trying to show how big a difference in volume there is between the modes. Not trying to trick anyone. Something that is louder will definitely be perceived as sounding better for sure.

[@SS-gx7tg]

I still have no idea what this thing is for. I've gone on Walrus site, watched various videos about it, I just don't get it. I dont play live, I just record at home in stereo using my Dream65. What would this do to improve that?

[@jst601]

Walrus Audio has a video or two going into further detail about di vs li. Worth checking out.

[@skylarmobis4681]

Can I run this walrus canvass stereo into mono? because if not I will just buy the mono version

[@sundaytone]

You can sum to mono but only going out 1/4". So if you wanted to go in stereo and out mono to one amp - it would do that. However, it doesn't sum to one XLR output. You'd need to get a more expensive product like one of the Pinstripe Pedals Diso+ products to do that. The Stereo Canvas is great for if you run stereo a lot but want to sometimes run into a single guitar amp.

[@stephenchow5161]

a lot of the better sound is from the level boost in comparison from the li vs di. should level match and flip the phase to show the difference.

[@sundaytone]

Yea definitely agree

[@pyngwi]

Im running a Quad Cortex. Studio and stage. It's convenient to get one of these? thx

[@sundaytone]

I haven't used the QC but I believe it has XLR outs on it so you wouldn't need this.

[@pyngwi]

@@sundaytone Thank you

[@user-ns5uh3hn8o]

Couldn't you just run the 1/4 inch outputs? Why would you have to use xlrs?

[@slickcross]

Wow, the Isolator mode makes things sound much better.

[@marcos_c_m]

Absolutely no one notice if it is there or not.

[@ozozerene]

Before I wasted 300 bucks on a Universal Audio Dream '65 I watched a bunch of videos, just like this one, waxing lyrical and telling me it was the best thing since the invention of the wheel and if I got one all my problems would be over. Guess what, they were selling snake oil. Save your money.

[@sundaytone]

It’s just a tool specifically made for modelers and amp sims. I wouldn’t call it snake oil. Just does a better job then a standard DI for that application. I literally bought this with my own money and just wanted to share my experience - nothing more.

[@8Junio76]

I am unsure if he’s looking at me.

[@yuudee3132]

no need.mixer will solve

[@rickwiggins283]

1) If you find that an isolator improves your tone and 2) you play at many different venues with volunteer or low-paid sound men then you should consider using one of these in the scenarios presented. Otherwise no need to worry about it. Nothing personal to them, but sound men like that aren't really going to 'fix/change' your 'tone'. They will gain level and adjust mains and, if you're really lucky, give passable monitor mixes. Anyway ... just my humble experience from both sides of the board.

[@fariqjeng3]

either your explanation taking a lot of time or im super tired of all of this kind of explanation…..

[@leoxavilesson7498]

I just got one sir,and i useing Dream65 and planning to connect wif my monitor,would u mind to share about yrs singel path to connect wif Canvas? Thanks 🫶🏼

[@sundaytone]

For this video I was running through my pedalboard and then into the canvas. Out of the canvas into my audio interface. My Tonex is in the middle of my chain so it goes: Overdrives > Volume Pedal > Tonex > Modulation > Delay > Reverb > Canvas > Interface. That is how I run it live as well.