Wiggum Posted June 8, 2001 Share Posted June 8, 2001 Hey all, I need a multi-channel DI for keyboards (4 channels), and I'm thinking about a Horizon SL-4. What do you guys think? Are they quality units? Thanks in advance, Wiggum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantasticsound Posted June 8, 2001 Share Posted June 8, 2001 Run away from that unit~! http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/frown.gif I can't vouch for the 4 channel unit, but my experience is these are some of the worst drek imaginable. Passive DI's are pretty simple to build at any price point. What you pay for is build and quality components. When a DI fails, it's usually due to bad solder joints or a defective transformer. Horizon is the only company I know that rivets their cheap DI's shut! Any tech with a soldering iron can repair a bad solder joint, but it sucks eggs when you have to drill out 4 rivets to get to something that should have connected with screws in the first place. Why am I so bitter about these? I worked for Opryland Productions for a year and a half, setting up sound and backline for convention entertainment. I worked alone most times. Loaded, setup, operated, tore down and loaded out everything myself. No one to run back to the shop to get another DI to replace a broken one. Opryland Productions had an endorsement deal with Horizon, so they were the only DI's I had access to. I had to bring an extra for every DI I used, just to make sure they'd be working. DI's are supposed to be built as the lowest maintanance item you could own in audio, save for a tuning fork. If you throw a Shure SM-57 and a passive DI at a brick wall, the 57 should break first. http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif Does this mean anything to you? http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/wink.gif Horizon's DI's wouldn't pass that test. I wouldn't use Horizon DI's if they paid me. Some products are excuses for tirades! http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gifhttp://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/eek.gif Neil It's easiest to find me on Facebook. Neil Bergman Soundclick fntstcsnd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiggum Posted June 8, 2001 Author Share Posted June 8, 2001 Thanks Neil -- I appreciate the honest feedback. Is there another unit you might recommend in a similar price range (less than $250 street)? I know of the Whirlwind units, but that's about it. I think ProCo might have a box as well. The main issue is transparency and cleanliness. I don't want any coloration or additional noise. I only need a DI so that I can get longer cable runs. Thanks again, Wiggum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duhduh Posted June 8, 2001 Share Posted June 8, 2001 Im not arguing your point, by any means. But, I think it would take more than a brick wall to break an SM-57!! LOL!! When people would ask me what made them so good. I would throw it on the ground and say, "That." Literally. "Meat is the only thing you need beside beer! Big hunks of meat and BEER!!...Lots of freakin' BEER." "Hey, I'm not Jesus Christ, I can't turn water into wine. The best I can do is turn beer into urine." Zakk Wylde http://www.hepcnet.net/bbssmilies/super.gif http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/15_1_109.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantasticsound Posted June 8, 2001 Share Posted June 8, 2001 Originally posted by Duhduh: Im not arguing your point, by any means. But, I think it would take more than a brick wall to break an SM-57!! LOL!! When people would ask me what made them so good. I would throw it on the ground and say, "That." Literally. Did I SAY you hurled these items at the brick wall ONCE??? http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/wink.gifhttp://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif Just that the '57 would break first, if you have a decent DI. http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif As for other 4 channel units, I'm aware of the ones you mentioned. I'm not sure how much an Whirlwind 4 channel HotBox DI goes for now, but it's considerably higher than $250. The one you spoke of would be the Director 4 channel, and it's passive. Keep this thought, if you're really looking for transparency, you'll need an active DI. I own the BSS AR-133, and it's first class all the way, but even at cost (I purchaced this from a rep when I was recently employed by Mars Music.) their 4 channel unit would run you several hundred over your budget, so get used to adequate sound, as far as transparency. What are you running through these DI channels? Guitars? Keyboards? Bass? That can make a huge difference in performance of a passive DI. Anyone have experience with others? C'mon, speak up... http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif Neil It's easiest to find me on Facebook. Neil Bergman Soundclick fntstcsnd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mats Olsson. Posted June 8, 2001 Share Posted June 8, 2001 Let's see... a rackmount DI with minimum 4 inputs... not expensive... I think of two... no idea about how good they are but, Behringer and Hosa sells such thingamajigs at low relatively costs. I also have a feeling that Furman might have something too. I would post this question in the Keyboard forum, you might get some good replys there. /Mats http://www.lexam.net/peter/carnut/man.gif What do we want? Procrastination! When do we want it? Later! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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