Reddi - Tube Direct Box

Thought you’d always need your amp for a great tone?

Well the REDDI is your standalone solution for a world class bass sound.

A bold statement, yes, but one of many just like it said of The A-Design’s Audio REDDI all-tube DI by an ever increasing number of professional bassists and recording professionals (see below). Designed and built by former career studio bassists, the REDDI has been hailed by engineer and bassist alike as the best-sounding DI around. Inspired by the glorious sound of the Ampeg B-15 tube bass amp, its 6N1-P tube-driven amplifier feeds signal directly into a hefty custom output transformer, which is key to providing a harmonically rich tone. Its wide-bandwidth design from 20Hz to 60kHz reduces in-band phase shift, which results in greater detail and realism in the audible spectrum. Another big plus of its wide-bandwidth design is the prevention of LF phase shifts by maintaining a linear response extending below the audible bass range, which is the secret to achieving a big, full sound.

Complementing its distinctive bright red steel chassis, the A-Designs Audio REDDI has a front-panel Neutrik XLR/1/4″ combo input jack, balanced XLR output, and a 1/4″ thru-put, for those who desire the reassurance of sending signal to a bass amp (before they wind up discarding the miked track and go with the REDDI track alone). There is also a 0-16dB-gain control on the front panel as well. Take note, the REDDI is not a high-gain device. Gain has been carefully designed and controlled in order to avoid the slightest compromise to sound quality. Finishing up the front panel is an extremely bright blue LED power indicator. The exceptional brightness of the LED was intentionally provided for easy visual confirmation that the REDDI is powered on, and also to temporarily blind annoying A&R reps lingering in the control room. On the back panel are toggle switches for power and ground lift, along with the REDDI’s IEC power connector.

Not just for bass, the REDDI’s all-tube circuitry can enhance the character of any instrument run through it; with an airy top end to go with the full, rich mids and bass it also imparts. That’s why Grammy-winning producer Ted Perlman (Chicago, Bob Dylan, Burt Bacharach, Elton John) runs all his guitars through the REDDI. And as long as we’re on the subject, the ever-increasing list of world-class bassists and engineers who rely on the REDDI includes notable bass players, such as Reggie Hamilton, Justin Meldal-Johnsen, Viktor Krauss, Jamiroquai’s Paul Turner, Steve Bailey, Don Boyette, Carlitos del Puerto, and Millard Powers of Counting Crows; along with producer-engineers such as Tony Sheppard, Dylan Dresdow, Ross Hogarth, Billy Bush, Ronan Chris Murphy, and Russ Long.

In fact, you can read below what those industry giants are saying about the A-Designs REDDI. And once you listen to the audio examples at BassTasters REDDI Audio Clips, you’ll also find that the REDDI speaks quite eloquently for itself:

REDDI FEATURES:

All-tube direct box with custom output transformer
Ultra wide frequency range (20Hz-60kHz)
Neutrik input connector, balanced XLR out, and 1/4″ thru jack
Inspired by the Ampeg B-15
Clean and airy high end, warmth, transparency, and ultra high-quality sound
Level control
Ground lift
Ultra bright blue LED on/off lamp
Zero-feedback loop design
Massive, custom-wound transformers
6NI-P tube
Low-Z, transformer-balanced output

See a Video Review of the Reddi with Reggie Hamilton and Tony Shepperd

Carlitos Del Puerto Finds His Mojo With A-Designs REDDI

LOS ANGELES - September 2008 -- Since his arrival in the United States from Cuba just a few years ago, 30-year-old acoustic bass prodigy Carlitos del Puerto has quickly become one of the most recognised and highly sought-after session players in Los Angeles. Having performed or recorded with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Ricky Martin, Herbie Hancock, Kevin Eubanks and many others, del Puerto is a highly adept player capable of finding and delivering the perfect low-end groove for practically any musical style.

In early September, del Puerto visited L.A.'s Sunset Sound for a recording session that ultimately first exposed him to A-Designs Audio's REDDI tube direct box--a simple piece of gear that had a profound impact on him.

"I had planned to use my Lakland electric bass with an old preamp and DI that I had been using for several years, but then the producer pulled out this big, bright red metal box and said 'hey, let's try this'," del Puerto recalls. "When I tried it, it just changed my whole world. It completely had the mojo I had been missing in my sound. The way that the bass sat in the track, and how clear and warm and even it was, was really amazing. Literally as soon as I heard the REDDI, I said 'this is it... this is what I've been looking for.' So I immediately went out and bought one for myself."

Now that he's had the opportunity to properly experiment with his own REDDI, del Puerto points to the product's sonic versatility as a key appeal. "Not only does the box sound great with my Lakland and Fender electric basses, but it also sounds especially nice with my 1920 Andreas Morelli acoustic. And I find that it works very well for live performance too. I have a cool show coming up with Steve Luthaker at the Canyon Club and I'll certainly be using the REDDI for that."

In addition to his frequent studio and live sessions with both renowned and up-and-coming artists alike, del Puerto packs his schedule full with many other types of projects, including work on sound libraries, film scores and commercial jingles. "I've been doing all of the Carl's Jr. and Jack In The Box commercials that have been coming out lately," he says. "And the acoustic bass library on Apple's GarageBand? That's me as well. I stay busy each day, and everywhere I go, the REDDI is now going with me. Aside from my instruments, it's the only thing I take with me into the studio anymore."

The bottom line according to del Puerto is that "the REDDI is as cool as it looks and is the 'must-have' direct box for any serious bass player. This is hands-down the warmest, most even DI I've ever used, and it surely is bringing the mojo for me every day that I'm using it."