What s the rest of your signal chain? I would think most capable people running sound would have a passive DI box (and probably a short patch cable) that could be hooked up to the Rusty Box s volume controlled output (Main I think?).

Funny this popped up. I was just wondering last night if anyone has a Boxidizer they'd like to get rid of?

As a sound person, I have never really understood sound folks who don't work with what they are given. I typically mic and DI the bass so I have options mid set, but even so I always try to ask the bass player what they prefer. Most don't have a preference so I go with the aforementioned, but if they did say "please mic my 300 lb. bass amp," that's what I'd do. 9 times out of ten, the desire to change what you offer to given them springs from one of two sources: 1) fear of unmanageable stage volume (which is usually more of an issue for bass than guitar or drums so yeah) and 2) desire to speed change over between bands. One less amp to move and store is one less headache.I think the idea of providing them what they ask for in a way that meets your needs sound wise is really smart. It prevents at least one argument and also gives a better chance you'll hear what you want to through the monitors. That rack pre from that other thread also has an XLR out, which is nice, but pricier than a Rusty and DI on the pedal board.

Ben Abraham wrote:Any recommendations on a DI box / settings?I have used my Rusty sometimes before a provided house DI (a Reddi comes to mind in recent memory, and man are those damn things insanely overrated, but I digress). Rusty always sounds about like I would expect for clean and/or classic fingerstyle playing when run through a second DI. However, if you're going to be using the boost heavily for dirt/clang, you may want something somewhat expensive with some kinda cab sim capability in it, like whatever Two Notes or maybe Radial makes for the occasion. Depending on the settings and the bass, boosted Rusty is usually a bit too harsh and fizzy run *direct* direct, and it needs something to round it off a bit. You're probably going to have to audition some boxes for best results if you're not investing in some crazy thing that can load its own impulses or whatever. (In my own home recording, I usually just run direct boosted Rusty parts through an SVT cab impulse or something, and that's all I need to do to get it sounding solid.)ADA has also semi-recently brought out a line of all-analog DIs for guitar, sorta like their old MicroCab rack units, with fairly flexible built-in speaker cab simulation. I've tried one of these for guitar and quite liked it, but haven't tried it with Rusty.

I've done this before but it's kind of odd having the volume control on the Rusty controlling the DI volume while your amp takes the line output with no volume control. I run the Rusty into a power amp which has a volume control on it, so it's ok, but still it's quirky that the main output is balanced and the line output is unbalanced.I know the Rusty is an authentic recreation of the original circuit so it's just one of those things that make it what it is, like the high voltage power supply, I guess.

endofanera wrote:but if they did say "please mic my 300 lb. bass amp," that's what I'd do. I realize you wouldn't actually do this, but this is what I picture when I imagine that statement:

Ben Abraham wrote:A recurring struggle of mine has been dragging 300 lbs of bass equipment to shows to get into an argument with sound people who insist on running a DI. I've tried to figure the most respectful ways to explain that I would prefer the cabinet mic'ed up, I use amp overdrive and amp feedback, I play bass more like a guitar than a reggae dub bass. I have even gone to the extent to bring an SM57 with me (not ideal but it's fine for what I'm doing). I either have endure some lecture or have an argument where it feels like I'm pulling teeth just to get a live sound situation that I'm comfortable in. I have immense respect for sound people and presume that they want shows to "sound good" but that's a subjective opinion and a lot of times, sound people just don't get what I'm going for. Often times the bass mix in the monitors sound like muddy garbage, I feel lost on stage and it fucks me up while playing. /rantRather than let this effect my mood before a set, I want to see if I can run a DI via the Rusty Box. Again, sound people seem perplexed about how to run a DI through the Rusty Box so I was wondering if anyone here has a DI box hooked up to their Rusty Box so that I can just give the sound person a XLR output to just plug into. Any recommendations on a DI box / settings?Hey Ben, from what I understand, you can use the line out to drive a power amp, and the main output to go into a DI at the same time if need be. I definitely did this a couple times and sound guys didn't seem too weird about it. I guess you could have a small pedal board that splits your signal to the amp and then to the RB and either have your own DI already set up or a TRS cable ready to plug into their DI.From the RB manual:Rusty Box as a DI Box:The Main Out jack on the Rusty Box outputs a balanced signal capable of driving a 600Ω load. As in the effects pedal configuration, connect your instrument or the output of the previous device to the Input jack on the Rusty Box using a standard ¼-inch guitar cable. For the Main Out jack, plug in a balanced ¼-inch TRS cable; this type of cable is necessary to properly use the Rusty Box as a DI. The other end of the balanced cable can go directly to a mixing board or similar balanced audio devices. Optionally you can also use the Rusty Box s Line Out jack to connect to a monitor amp near the musician (described below).

I got to use my new Rusty Box on Saturday night at my band's show. My 800RB is currently in the shop so I just ran it into the effects return of a borrowed Hartke head into my Mesa 2x15. The biggest difference between the VT Bass/TS-808 combination I normally use was being a little more liberal with the Rusty's bass control and a little more conservative with the treble. But once I got it dialed in....WOW. I waffled back and forth with the boost on and off as we were setting up and checking levels, and in the end I did end up using the boost for the entire set. In hindsight I kind of regret that as some of the punch seemed to disappear in certain parts, at least relative to what I'm accustomed to hearing. I will probably run it with the boost off and the gain slightly cranked up next time and only engage the boost if/when needed.

Snowblinder wrote:I waffled back and forth with the boost on and offMy sweet spot has been boost on, but with the input gain switch set for low. I get just a little growl that doesn't really get into overdrive but it keeps the mids and lows up so it doesn't get raspy. Playing style seems to affect the Rusty a ton. It's a great pedal. I don't really use it all the time but when I need it, I'm glad I have it. Boxidizer is harder to nail down tonally for me. sometimes I love it, sometimes I kinda hate it. It's been in the Rhodes effect loop for about a month and I like that a lot, also good for certain, non-congested organ settings, but for guitar/bass, it is really hit or miss for me.

Hey, know what. I love my Boxidizer.