Radial JDX Direct Drive Active Direct Box and Amp Simulator Review

[@JTNMax]

I know this is an old review, but just wanted to post this here: JDX 4×12 is based off of a Shure SM57 in front of a Marshall 4×12 cabinet (no amp). Like running your guitar/pedal board directly into the 4x12 cabinet. Your effects pedals do all the work here. The Combo setting is modeled from a Fender Twin combo amplifier. Add a little boost here and you'll have a great sounding Fender. The Stack is 4x12 based on a Marshall JCM series head running somewhat clean tone. Sounds great with bright enabled. It's a great pedal, but I would recommend using effects pedals. An electric guitar through this directly into a mixer or recording might disappoint. It does react well to humbuckers or single coils, same as an amp would.

[@guil_juliao]

I have one and every time I plug and play it thru my QSC it makes me laugh how real and dynamic it sounds. For those looking on buying it you won't regret it!

[@cheeseUout]

oh man i think this is what i'm looking for. Can you you guys do a demo comparing the radial jdx direct drive vs micing an amp?

[@richcarosi5941]

Love that box, but what would the best reamp box be to get to go with this unit?

[@tortillaman2491]

Sounds like a real amp. How would it sound with electric bass? Does it keep the low end?

[@sweetwater]

I wouldn't recommend using it with bass, nor anything that's meant in any way to be like a guitar amp tone. The frequencies that sound good when boosted/cut on guitar don't sound as good with bass. For the same amount of money you can get a more flexible DI that works on everything, but that I really like for bass guitar - check it out: www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/JDI--radial-jdi-jensen-equipped-1-channel-passive-instrument-direct-box Thanks for the interest! Kevin Spunde, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1732, [e-mail]

[@tortillaman2491]

@@sweetwater It sounds like a real guitar amp. Can't tell the difference.

[@tanguydelooz2881]

@@sweetwater Does this JDI also cover the usage of a distortion, like a RAT, with the bass or is it only for clean bass ?

[@amberwoodstudio]

Sounds amazing with my gov’nor

[@flytebandtampa2499]

Effects loop capable? I run 4 cable method off a custom pedal board?

[@sweetwater]

Hi, Flyte Band Tampa. The JDX doesn't have an FX loop option. It was basically intended to just run at the end of a pedalboard and go straight to a front of house mixer. Because of the cab modeling and the balanced output, it wouldn't work to run time based effects after it either. If you want to do a four cable method you'll need something that still has a built-in FX Loop. Some good options to check would be the Victory Hybrid amps or Quilter InterBlock. Thanks for your interest! Charlie Davis, Sweetwater Sales Engineer, [phone] ext. 1320, [e-mail]

[@franklinslamo]

They need to make a stereo one.

[@nickcaptain13]

actually it says AMP simulator not Cab... so, lets suppose i want a cabinet simulator for my Mesa Boogie TriAxis.. will this work?

[@dewdude2112]

By "amp sim"...they mean the whole thing. A "combo" is one unit. If you think of a "stack"....it's a cab and head...stacked. Plus did you view the whole video? Answered 3 years later. : )

[@dvstec]

cab or amp sim? seems like cab

[@sweetwater]

dvstec-it's definitely both. You have three different cabinet options to switch between so that aspect is more obvious in the demo. However, the amp sim portion of the Direct Drive is always active and the Bright switch is the only real control you have over it; way less obvious in the demo. The JDX is designed to sound like a clean amp so you can use your favorite pedals with it. Compared to the sound of a regular direct box, it has the articulation, feel, and eq curve of a '60s-era, blackface amp. Listen to the video with that in mind and I think it'll help. Thanks for your question! Don Carr

[@dvstec]

Thanks for info, its perfect for my application, and to replace my noisy A/DA GCS-3 DI, take care.

[@hermespadilla]

@@sweetwater this is the explanation I was looking for. Years after the realese of this video, just found out about this device and how relevant it still is today. Thanks!

[@ai4nlp]

No headphone jack for late night practicing!!!? 😟😩 i don't want to turn on computer every time I wanna play...