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All-tube DI with incredibly high-quality sound at a project-studio price.
What do world-class
bassists Reggie Hamilton and Justin Meldal-Johnsen have in common with producer/engineers Tony Shepperd, Ted Perlman, and
Dylan Dresdow? The answer is using the A-Designs REDDI Tube Direct Box as their go-to DI. The REDDI has been field tested
and referred to by recording engineers as the "best tube DI ever made." With wider bandwidth and just the right amount of
gain, the REDDI stands clear and clean above the competition. Great for basses, guitars, synths, and electronic instruments
that require a direct box for recording, the REDDI is ready to give you sound for recording or live performance that you won't
ever want to be without.
A Designs Audio REDDI, First Take:
- All-tube direct box with
custom output transformer
- Based on the Ampeg B-15 with an ultra-wide frequency range
- New version adds a 1/4"
thru jack
- Field-tested by notable engineers/producers before release
All-tube and custom transformers
- the key to big, punchy sound
Inside its unmistakable fire-engine red case, the REDDI houses a toroid
power transformer, which offers the quietest operation, and a 6N1P tube-driven amplifier that feeds signal direct into a massive
custom output transformer. Therein lies the secret to its sound. It's a well-known fact that transformers are responsible
for a truly big, punchy sound (also called the "big iron" sound of the '70s). By sending the tube-amplified, harmonically
rich signal direct to a transformer that is hand and "ear" built you get a sound like no other. (You don't have to take our
word for it, see what the pros are saying below.)
Ultra-wide Frequency Range
Based on
the sound of the legendary Ampeg B15 all-tube bass amp, The REDDI's tone is tight, focused, and deep - in essence, right in
the pocket. It's ultra wide frequency range is another reason for the depth and clarity of the bass, as well as its unique
ability to add a sense of dimensionality to whatever instrument is played through it. Another thing that professional bassists
have discovered, is that rather than combining the DI sound with an amp, as is customary in bass recording, that sound of
the REDDI alone is just perfect. On guitar, keyboards, and other electronic instruments, the REDDI works its particular brand
of magic just as effectively as it does on bass. In fact, once you own a REDDI, you'll be tempted to put just about anything
you can through it. (In fact, Grammy-winning producer Ted Perlman, has even used the REDDI with a Shure Green Bullet mic to
record harmonica!)
New version adds a 1/4" thru jack
In order to keep the focus of the
REDDI on sound quality, A Designs included only the most necessary features. On the original version of the REDDI, A Designs
Audio had eliminated the 1/4" thru-put. The reason was because the REDDI sounded so good on its own, A Designs wanted users
to realize that they didn't need to combine a miked amp with the direct sound of the REDDI. But A Designs listens to its customers
and added a 1/4" thru jack without compromising sound quality. A Designs also refuses to sacrifice sound quality for high
gain. As such, the REDDI is not a high-gain device, rather, it has just the right amount to keep its sound intact.
The
REDDI's front panel features include a combo XLR/1/4-inch input, balanced XLR output, a level control knob, and very bright
blue LED power indicator. On the rear panel, there's an on/off power switch, ground lift, and EIN power connector.
Field
tested by Audio Professionals
Taking its place in A Designs Audio's line up of "all tube" high-end microphone
pre-amplifiers and equalizers, the REDDI is another example A Designs' mission of making pro audio affordable. As always,
A-Designs Audio field tests its products before releasing them to the public with notable engineers and musicians like Dylan
Dresdow (TEC Award Nominee and Grammy Award nominee for Black Eyed Peas), Ross Hogarth (Grammy Award winner) Viktor Krauss
(bassist for Lyle Lovett and renowned studio musician) and Reggie Hamilton (session/live bassist for Babyface, Seal, Bette
Midler, etc.) who recently used the REDDI on his bass tracks for the new film Dreamgirls.
Here's what top engineers,
producers, and musicians are saying about the REDDI:
"The sound of the REDDI all tube direct box on my bass
and guitars is dramatic. When people come in and listen, they just go "WOW what's that? What did you do to get that sound?"
"It not only delivers on bass and keys, but just out and out kills on acoustic guitars with pickups. It puts something on
the sound that makes them jump and be present in the mix without that electric-type sound." - Ted Perlman, Grammy Award-winning
producer, engineer, musician (Bob Dylan, Chicago, Elton John, Burt Bacharach).
"Now, the REDDI is my favorite DI and
definitely my go-to on bass." - Dylan Dresdow (Black Eyed Peas), Grammy Award nominee, Tech Award nominee, engineer.
"The
REDDI is not only the largest and brightest colored DI that I've encountered, it's the best sounding." - Russ Long, Pro
Audio Review, 11/1/2005.
"The New REDDI DI from A Designs kicks ass..." - Ross Hogarth, Grammy Award winning producer,
engineer, mixer.
"I didn't use an amp at all. I used only the REDDI and it sounded really, really nice." - Justin Meldan-Johnsen,
Bassist with Beck.
"If it needs to be really clean, then I'll just use the REDDI." - Viktor Krauss, bassist for Lyle
Lovett.
"I've used a number of DIs on electric pianos over the years, active, passive, tube, solid state, whatever
was around. But, I don't remember that any of them worked as well or sounded as good as the REDDI." - Dave Martin, Recording
Magazine
"REDDI's first outing was on an active bass. The bass player's head turned as soon as he heard his instrument
in the phones. It was an instant hit both in and out of the control room." - Kevin Becka, Mix Magazine
The
REDDI is only the second product I've had in for review [this year] that I sent back and then realized how much I missed it
when it was gone." - Dan Richards, Studio Review
"The best way I can describe what REDDI adds is dimension.
It reveals a wide range of harmonics in a source, with an excellent translation of an instrument's character. It doesn't have
to be blended with an amp signal to sound good. I tried it with electric guitar and bass as well as a synthesizer, and found
the REDDI to perform impressively on every source." - Frank Moldstad, Digital Pro Sound
A-Designs
REDDI Tube Direct Box Specifications:
- Input Impedance Min1.4k
Ohm
- Gain Range 16 dB
- Noise (EIN) -126 dB
- Instrument Jack Input
XLR / 1/4" combo
- Input Impedance Min > 100k Ohm
- Balanced XLR Output:
- Output
Impedance 600 Ohm
- Maximum Level +22 dBu
- Output Low-Z, transformer-balanced
- Frequency
Response 20 Hz - 60k Hz
- Distortion THD: > .08 @ 1 Khz
- Power Requirements: 100/120/230
VAC - 42 Watts
- Dimensions (W x H x D) 3.5" x 3.5" x 14.5"
- Weight 10 lbs. (4.54 kg.)
A-Designs REDDI Tube Direct Box Features:
- Warmth, transparency, and quality sound, clean and airy high end
- Vacuum-tube
design
- Perfect gain
- Level Control
- Ground lift
- Front
cover overlaps to provide protection for controls
- Thru Jack 1/4"
- Heat Vents allow
the flow and circulation of air to cool the tubes and transformers. Located on both sides, front and back
- Ultra
bright Blue LED Lamp On/Off
- Neutrik Combo XLR/1/4" Input Connectors
- XLR Output Connector
- Zero Feedback Loop
- Custom Wound Output Transformers
- Large size
for easy operation up and down
- Back cover extends slightly to provide protection to switches
- Power
Switch On/Off
- Power A/C inlet
- 6NI-P Tube
A
Designs has scoured the earth for the perfect combination of tubes for this unique quality sound. Go ahead, order now and
experience the warmth, clarity, and punch that the REDDI can deliver to your recordings.
Customers who
shopped for the A-Designs REDDI Tube Direct Box ultimately bought:
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