Universal Audio Apollo, Rupert Neve Designs RNDI, Radial J48 & ProDI Direct Box Shootout

[@John_Kealiinohomoku]

Neve had nice open high end clarity, J48 overall balanced and present. Great clarity and still delivered good low end

[@ToddUrban]

Agreed. Thanks for the comment! 😊

[@evildeebee]

Wow the RNDI blows them all clean out of the water.

[@ToddUrban]

It’s amazing, I use it all the time. The others do have nice color options too.

[@Wheelly1]

For guitars yes. For basses, Radials are cleaner winners, especially J48. It has simply more low-end

[@pz1792]

yeah, and color the sound most. If you want to transparent capture of guitar for reamping it is pointless to use

[@handsdown5x]

Really ??? I thought radial demolished Neve lol

[@ToddUrban]

@handsdown5x if you are looking for a massive bottom, the Active Radial’s transformer adds a ton of low end.

[@fredmanteghian5913]

I liked the Neve up until the acoustic guitar, then I began preferring either the J48 and the Pro for many of the remaining samples. The thing I like about the Neve overall though is I think it will give me the best signal for re-amping or processing

[@ToddUrban]

They are all great! It is difficult to select. But the colors and transient response of each is definitely different.

[@terrillmel]

The RNDI is less nasally, which I prefer. Do you really want your mix to sound congested like it has a head cold? Or open like it can breathe?

[@DalleyMusic]

I'm surprised that I prefer the J48 over the Neve RNDI every time in this demonstration and others!

[@alyxgonzales]

I appreciate the effort to do this comparison though I find it difficult to tell the real differences when they’re all different takes

[@ToddUrban]

Understood. But I also don’t like splitters, as I don’t find they properly reproduce the signal the same way as going direct. So I opted to try to make them as close as possible while achieving the best capture of the hardware.

[@teulgendaurelius2181]

@@ToddUrban Thank you so much for sharing this. What you think about a looper (BOSS RC-3 for example) for such comparisons?

[@ToddUrban]

@@teulgendaurelius2181 any pedal or active product has the ability to benefit from a DI, but the results might not have as much of a difference as something such as a passive bass or guitar. The traditional idea is match a passive instrument with an active DI and an active instrument with a passive one. You might want to also check out Radial’s website, as they have great information and some other solutions I didn’t review.

[@teulgendaurelius2181]

@@ToddUrban Probably you misunderstood me. I may have expressed myself incorrectly. I mean a looper instead of a splitter to avoid different takes.

[@ToddUrban]

@@teulgendaurelius2181 ah. Got it. In that case, my concern is that you could have different results from a looper compared to the impedance of a direct instrument. But yes, the performance would be the same. So it’s a trade off.

[@MarkyGoldstein]

These also sound great on synth and drum machines

[@ToddUrban]

Absolutely. Sometimes I get lazy and forget to break them out. But when I do, I typically get a richer sound.

[@xtakerux]

J48 is very transparent and balanced it feels upfront too

[@ToddUrban]

It’s great. Maybe not transparent, as the transformer adds a ton of low end. But it has a clear and wonderful tone.

[@terrillmel]

@@ToddUrban Transparent isn't the word for sure.

[@nickkellie]

I had a j48 but found it too bright and brittle. When I reamped it seemed like a different guitar was going into the amp. The neve sounded the most natural in your demos and didn’t add that high end plastic-y sound. I actually ended up going with a the JDI (passive) which doesn’t have the output of the active box but sounds more natural to me. I wish I had the money for the neve. I’ll have to save for it

[@ToddUrban]

Thanks for the input!

[@Wheelly1]

JDI is so transparent and great sounding device that I really doubt you need something else...

[@didifischervideo]

the radial engineering JDI with a Jensen transorfmer would be very interesting - compared to a RNDI Neve ; )

[@martindimitrov807]

Thanks for an awesome video! I am a keyboard player and everyone recommends a passive DI box for the keyboard. But I use a workstation keyboard-Korg PA3x with styles not only sounds. In styles have bass, guitar, drums.... tracks. Do you recommend the RNDI for this reason which is an active DI box(I think it is better for bass sound) and which option is best for me? At the moment I work with Radial JDI passive DI. But on KZbin, I watched many videos with sound tests of different DI's, and from what I heard, I like RNDI a lot. Thanks!

[@ToddUrban]

The conventional suggestion is to match an active keyboard with a passive box. However, if you are looking to impart some vibe, the RNDI is great. (Though you’ll hear it more while recording than live) They do make a stereo version which is great. Either way, it’s built like a tank and you won’t regret having it!

[@robotmeister009]

Strat 2nd 1:36 Apollo 1:44 RNDI 1:53 J48 2:02 JDI

[@thedayones4918]

Bet money nobody can’t tell them apart on a blind test 😆✌🏽

[@ToddUrban]

Valid point. Many people can’t. But sometimes the difference is how it influences the way we perform when using it.

[@John_Kealiinohomoku]

I can 100% hear a difference between the Neve and Radial Di's. Apollo to Radial has smaller margins tho.

[@philipps8150]

I got the radial Pro DI few years ago and it is really transparent. I love it. But for instruments like a bass… I don’t like it too much because it loses a lot of low end…

[@ToddUrban]

Hmm. I could see that, but I didn't mind too much using it on upright since it was so open sounding. The J48 or RNDI are both excellent on bass (which happens to be my main instrument)

[@preciseaudioblog]

What a great video! Thank you! I have an active bass. Can I use the RND DI for it? Thank you.

[@ToddUrban]

Yes. The traditional advice is to pair active with passive. But I play active basses and use the RNDI more than any other DI. It’s great!

[@preciseaudioblog]

@@ToddUrban Cool! Thank you!

[@johnplainsong9769]

I recorded the audio files into Logic, cut and paste to adjacent tracks, and A/B'ed tracks through a bus with identical, typical processing (eq,compression, saturation). Volume matched. The tracks sounded identical enough that I could not justify buying any of these DI's to use over just going straight into my Apollo Twin for my P-Bass and Strat. If I added a bit of other tracks (drums, keyboard), any slight differences vanished. Perhaps if I compared original hi-rez files there would be a $$$ difference.

[@ToddUrban]

They are similar when in a mix. The big difference, beside the subtle harmonic content that each one imparts, is the way the instrument responds when monitoring your playing live. There is not only a difference in dynamic range, but also a difference in feel. But, going direct into an Apollo is easy and sounds good, so if that works, keep doing it. 😃

[@johnplainsong9769]

@@ToddUrban Good advice. And great video (along with your others). Thank you for taking the time to make them!

[@antoniodapote1565]

J48 for elettric Guitar. Pro DI passive for acoustic Guitar and double bass. Neve for elettric bass

[@Wheelly1]

Neve cuts lows on bass. J48 emphasizes them too much. ProDI is close to balance, but his brother JDI is everything you need for bass guitar

[@FilippoBuscemi93]

hey Todd, amazing video my friend. Which one would you say its a litle bettr between the rndi and the j48 for passive pj bass and passive electric guitar ? thank you very much

[@ToddUrban]

Those are both good choices for passive instruments. I’d say the j48 will give you more bottom end and a bigger sound while the RNDI will be a little clearer and tighter across each frequency band. They are both excellent, so you can’t go wrong with either. I do a lot of upright bass work, and use the RNDI for that since it preserves clarity. But the j48 might be better for a more saturated Motown sound.

[@QUEENKONA]

Nice video, Todd. Quick question - when you say they were run into the DI and then inputed into the Apollo as a line input, do you mean you had run an XLR out of the DI boxes to a TRS in the Line inputs? Thanks!

[@ToddUrban]

I took an XLR directly out and then into the back of the Apollo. No unison inputs were used. Now, that I think of it, I probably had it set as a mic level input since phantom powers would be needed, not line level. Good catch! 😉

[@QUEENKONA]

@@ToddUrban I see. So Line out on the DI boxes and an XLR-XLR cable to the Apollo’s Mic in preamp? And NOT an XLR-TRS cable then huh?

[@ToddUrban]

Correct. But technically, XLR to TRS should produce the same result as they would both be low impedance through the entire signal flow

[@user-tp7cd4iv57]

1:36 1:44 1:53 2:02

[@JonManness]

Awesome demo! I preferred the Radial ProDI every time. I wish my Apollo x4 DI's had that sound!

[@HappyChillmore]

Whoa hey Todd! Maybe you remember me from Berklee. I just realized this video was yours about a third of the way through. I just got a cheap passive Behringer DI to see if it would help with some of the weird leveling issues I have sometimes and just improve sound in general in addition to removing some ground loop noise. Only had about an hour to experiment. I’m assuming it’s probably better having a DI anyway compared to the Apollo hi z instrument inputs? I know it’s basically doing the same thing.. but I’m just trying to do anything I can and it seems to be at least helping with noise or at least being more consistent. Hope you’re doing well!

[@ToddUrban]

Sorry, missed your first message, as I’m traveling and trying to manage messages from my phone! Great to reconnect. Yeah, keep me posted if you are still stuck. The Behringer DI probably isn’t the best, but shouldn’t cause distortion. If anything it might be a little noisy.

[@Miss_Pixie]

How do you connect it to the Apollo?

[@ToddUrban]

Just run the line output from the DI into the XLR on an Apollo or any other interface. Certain DI boxes will also require phantom power.

[@hectorjc956]

Wich one do you or someone recomend for bass guitar?

[@ToddUrban]

It depends on which bass guitar and what you are looking to achieve. The RNDI is one of my favorites. But the other two have subtle differences that might be preferable depending on if it is an active or passive bass and what your intended result is.

[@Particle67]

What i wanted to listen: Apollo with DI box. Thank you so much. I suppose you don't using Unison on the Apollo exemples?

[@ToddUrban]

I do have a video on unison preamps somewhere on my KZbin channel. If you search through the videos you should find it. Thanks!

[@Particle67]

Todd Urban if i'm using unison preamp i don't need DI box for my acoustic guitar. Is it correct?

[@ToddUrban]

Correct. But there can be benefits to putting a direct box first. But typically for unison, I go direct into the Apollo. It’s easier and works better with the impedance matching

[@Particle67]

Todd Urban Thank you for your answer.

[@ToddUrban]

Hmmm. No. I don’t and I use some active basses and am still fine with the hi-z input. Maybe try using the pad on the input? Are you distorting even at the lowest gain setting? If anything, I would think a DI would probably increase your signal level. But you could then run it balanced….

[@sekritskworl-sekrit_studios]

Toward the end of the video (around @5:25 or so) you have a thumbnail at the bottom right of the screen, in which you are fingering two synths... If I may ask, do you also DI those when you are are capturing them? And if so... With what?

[@ToddUrban]

For synths, I typically run direct into my interface. But yes, sometimes I’ll use a DI box for color. The transformers can add even more body.

[@sekritskworl-sekrit_studios]

SOLID,@@ToddUrban! Thank you. BTW, have you ever considered expanding your community with workshops via zoom? If you'd be open to it... I'd love to discuss it with you. I feel like it would be a great opportunity for us to learn, as you are able to grow your followership.

[@ToddUrban]

@@sekritskworl-sekrit_studios thank you. I do Zoom sessions for private clients quite often from single help sessions so some studios that keep me on retainer for help when needed. Thank you for the support. Maybe one day I’ll offer group sessions too. Just still trying to grow the channel and help the community as a whole.

[@sekritskworl-sekrit_studios]

@@ToddUrban Thank you for letting me know. Perhaps one day, I will have the benefit of skill worthy of learning from you directly.

[@JesusSanchez-pz1ii]

Neve 🎉

[@ToddUrban]

RND is great!

[@sekritskworl-sekrit_studios]

How are you connecting the D.I. box to the Apollo X? Should ot go to the Hi-Z or to a different line in? I have apollo x8p so all combi Jack's except Hi-Z

[@ToddUrban]

The best routing would be to take an XLR out of the DI and run it into the back as a line level into the apollo.

[@sekritskworl-sekrit_studios]

@@ToddUrban Ok, follow up concern... I have an X8P. The X8P uses Combi-jacks instead of XLR... ...Would running XLR from D.I. into Combi-Jack force the X8P to run at Microphone level (I ask because a lot of people say combi-jacks can present problems).

[@ToddUrban]

The combo jacks allow you to use an XLR but select line level. Just click on mic/line in the console app and you can switch between them. I have an x8p and it works perfectly that way. 😉

[@sekritskworl-sekrit_studios]

@@ToddUrban NICE!!! One more quick question... Is there any way to come "line in" but still use either the "preamps" OR the "characteristics" of the presets in some way without amplifying? I want to be able to capture the cleanest signal possible. However, I don't want to waste all of the preamps which received when I spent all of that money of the "Complete Bundle". Especially since I am not (yet) paid for any audio work (and I certainly do not have a trust fund. LOL)

[@ToddUrban]

@@sekritskworl-sekrit_studios yeah, use any of the plugins in the insert slots instead of the unison plugins and you’ll be set!

[@Wheelly1]

Wow...with basses, especially double bass J48 is cleaner winner. Then ProDI. It seems RNDI eats low-end

[@ToddUrban]

Yeah there is a completely different sound on the J48. (edited, as previously had a typo)

[@kdrexler]

Are you sure the J48 has a transformer? I think you might be confusing it with the passive JDI which does have a Jensen transformer.

[@ToddUrban]

@@kdrexler You are correct. It does not have a transformer. (for transparency, I'm putting here that I'm editing my comment above so it doesn't confuse anyone) Thanks for catching my typo! :)

[@BrandonofRedemption]

Seems like the Neve and J48 had way more low end where the Apollo and ProDI was a little thin in the low mids.

[@ToddUrban]

I agree! Different colors in the low end for sure!

[@progrocker84]

Can you confirm that the RNDI and J48 were properly level matched? If the answer is yes, the RNDI comparatively sounds slightly scooped and "further away", with a broader stereo spread. Meanwhile, the J48 sounds "closer" and more focused in the center. Would you agree? Also, I wonder how the Countryman Type 10 would compare to these two units.

[@ToddUrban]

Yes, they were level matched. The RNDI and J48 do have a different sound. There is a little closer sound with the J48 as you said. But that in mind, there is a great character with the RNDI. Both are excellent and the build quality is also top notch.

[@ToddUrban]

Did I state that? If so, probably not a good phrase to use. I’ll need to go check!

[@Sam-zo2ho]

Upright sounds weird through all of these because you need a DI with an impedance specific to a piezo pickup

[@ToddUrban]

Could also be a weird sounding upright. 😉 It is a realist, so typically it translates well to high impedance devices. But yes, some pickups can be more finicky.

[@garyheimbauer4206]

wow - listening for the electric guitar samples and they are all the same. Any small differences are probably more attributable to the way you played the example than anything else.

[@ToddUrban]

Yes, not a ton of difference. But the way the instruments react is different, and therefore affects the feel to some extent too.