From jake92028@yahoo.com Fri Jun 30 07:39:11 2006
Subject:DI box with RT-20 etc?

I was reading up on the Whirwind DI boxes and thought about some of
the rotary sims like the older G4 and new RT-20 and others in
between. They have the same problem of apparently being intended to
use with an electric guitar's output. The sim's input level almost
won't tolerate a keyboard's output. You have to set the sim's input
way down and tweak volumes between the keyboard and sim to get an OK
balance to use it.

What if you used a DI box to drop the keyboard's output signal to
microphone level, then used an adapter cable with mic TRS plug to
phone 1/4" TRS plug to route a keyboard's signal into the sim at a
much lower level? Seems like this would make the rotary simulator
easier to work with - like keyboard output at normal setting and sim
input at a normal setting ..might even sound better? I know there
are players out there trying to use the RT-20 and others.

If this is a dumb question, no problem. I don't own a DI box and am
just now reading up on them per older DI posts. Lots of posts about
DI's, but no-one's really explained in depth exactly the 'what for.'
When I can't use an amp(s), I've just plugged into whatever the
system is, TRS phone to phone or an adapter - TRS means I'm at least
up to basic 'ground-lift' level. Whirlwind.com has great in-depth
explanations of DI's.

Per late '90's and post Y2K gadgets (I took a long break from
playing before then), sometimes I'm the last one to get onboard with
the right gadgets. When I show up to sit in with bands I'm friends
with, I see I'd be much better off carrying a a DI box in my gear
bag. They can plug one L/R output of my keyboard via DI in the PA's
mic inputs and get a level more easily, and I can run the other side
into one amp.

For this kind of quick setup I play an NE2 '61 on a WS540 stand with
an Effects Processor Plus box = Midi Out/In, on the back (courtesy
of Bruce Wahler), so a single FC7 pedal controls volume and
expression. And I'm using a Rok-N-Soc tripod 'throne' with backrest.
With their heavier duty tripod base, concerns about tipping over
have been 'groundless,' so to speak.

Walter j