DI-BOX between tube amp and speaker for line out recording
Moderators: greatmutah, GuitarBilly
DI-BOX between tube amp and speaker for line out recording
Hello everyone,
I'm opening this topic to pick your knowledgeable brains. Here is my problem, I own a few tube amps, none of them have line outs (except for well the FX-loop send before the power stage). I don't want to invest, like nor have the use for and attenuator or loadbox/dummyload, as I can play at high volumes, but what I would like it to take the signal after the power stage and before the speaker to my audio interface for recording, then apply cab impulses after.
For that I wanted to know if I could use a simple DI box in between my amp and speaker (still have the sound coming out of my speaker of course). A DI box like this (i'm open to other DI boxes than this one of course, but without any speaker emulation) :
https://www.thomann.de/gb/millenium_die ... passiv.htm
Now it has a 50db pad so a hot signal shouldn't be a problem, but what I'm wondering is if the output impedance will be conserved when going in and out of the 1/4 jacks.
If this doesn't work what would be my best solution apart from a loadbox/attenuator ?
Thank you all for reading
I'm opening this topic to pick your knowledgeable brains. Here is my problem, I own a few tube amps, none of them have line outs (except for well the FX-loop send before the power stage). I don't want to invest, like nor have the use for and attenuator or loadbox/dummyload, as I can play at high volumes, but what I would like it to take the signal after the power stage and before the speaker to my audio interface for recording, then apply cab impulses after.
For that I wanted to know if I could use a simple DI box in between my amp and speaker (still have the sound coming out of my speaker of course). A DI box like this (i'm open to other DI boxes than this one of course, but without any speaker emulation) :
https://www.thomann.de/gb/millenium_die ... passiv.htm
Now it has a 50db pad so a hot signal shouldn't be a problem, but what I'm wondering is if the output impedance will be conserved when going in and out of the 1/4 jacks.
If this doesn't work what would be my best solution apart from a loadbox/attenuator ?
Thank you all for reading
Amps : Modded Jet city JCA50h - H&K switchblade 100 head - Jet City Custom 22 - Modded Ashdown FA60DSP - Peavey Delta Blues 210 - Peavey VK 100 head
Cab : 5150 4x12 Slanted - Jet City JCA24S+ - Harley Benton g212 vintage
Guitars : 2015 Gibson Les Paul Studio - 1991 Hamer USA Centaura - 2007 Fender CP 60s strato - Dean USA 30th anniversary ML - Ibanez awd102-nt - Vester Tradition series Strato - WSL Lucifer
Cab : 5150 4x12 Slanted - Jet City JCA24S+ - Harley Benton g212 vintage
Guitars : 2015 Gibson Les Paul Studio - 1991 Hamer USA Centaura - 2007 Fender CP 60s strato - Dean USA 30th anniversary ML - Ibanez awd102-nt - Vester Tradition series Strato - WSL Lucifer
- ajaxlepinski
- Crystal Lettucer
- Posts: 23723
- Joined: Sun Jul 21, 2013 12:35 am
- Location: Same town as Lindsay Lohan, Amy Fisher, Joey Buttafucco & Debbie Gibson
Re: DI-BOX between tube amp and speaker for line out recordi
Not sure if the Direct Box will do what you want.
As far as I know, Direct Boxes are meant to plug into your Guitar > Foot Pedal > Direct Box > PA Mic Input/DAW
The Rivera Rock Crusher, Weber Mass, TDH Hotplate and Fryette Powerstation are popular attenuators.
The Fryette Powerstation has the bonus of being able to change the input Ohms and the Output Ohm settings, allowing you to use different ohm heads with different ohm speaker cabs.
Hope this helps!
As far as I know, Direct Boxes are meant to plug into your Guitar > Foot Pedal > Direct Box > PA Mic Input/DAW
The Rivera Rock Crusher, Weber Mass, TDH Hotplate and Fryette Powerstation are popular attenuators.
The Fryette Powerstation has the bonus of being able to change the input Ohms and the Output Ohm settings, allowing you to use different ohm heads with different ohm speaker cabs.
Hope this helps!
Last edited by ajaxlepinski on Tue Feb 28, 2017 2:36 pm, edited 4 times in total.
1969 Sunn Solarus ● 2x 1980's Randall RG-80 ● 2013 Hi-Tone HT103-DG (Best Rig 2014) ● 2015 Mortatone 12/15 Cab w/EV SRO's ● 2017 Jubilee ● 2019 Ceriatone Model Tee ● 2019 Randall Diavlo ● 2020 VHT D50 Dumble Clone
Walt wrote:But when the hour is nigh, and the lights are low, and I got a little toothpick of a shwag joint in my teeth, and my friends want to hear me play "Into the Void", or "TNT", "or "Cemetery Gates"...I plug my 600 dollar guitar into my 150 dollar amp, and I am a Rawk gawd.
-
- clipless
- Posts: 20317
- Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2013 10:06 am
- Location: 20 miles outside of Philly
Re: DI-BOX between tube amp and speaker for line out recordi
As long as your cab is plugged in to the box - no danger - it will tap a signal safely off your power amp for use elsewhere.
(with the switch set to 'speaker')
Your cab will supply the load - and of couse (as the OP stated) will still be playing at normal volume.
(with the switch set to 'speaker')
Your cab will supply the load - and of couse (as the OP stated) will still be playing at normal volume.
- ajaxlepinski
- Crystal Lettucer
- Posts: 23723
- Joined: Sun Jul 21, 2013 12:35 am
- Location: Same town as Lindsay Lohan, Amy Fisher, Joey Buttafucco & Debbie Gibson
Re: DI-BOX between tube amp and speaker for line out recordi
Mamberg is the man! 

1969 Sunn Solarus ● 2x 1980's Randall RG-80 ● 2013 Hi-Tone HT103-DG (Best Rig 2014) ● 2015 Mortatone 12/15 Cab w/EV SRO's ● 2017 Jubilee ● 2019 Ceriatone Model Tee ● 2019 Randall Diavlo ● 2020 VHT D50 Dumble Clone
Walt wrote:But when the hour is nigh, and the lights are low, and I got a little toothpick of a shwag joint in my teeth, and my friends want to hear me play "Into the Void", or "TNT", "or "Cemetery Gates"...I plug my 600 dollar guitar into my 150 dollar amp, and I am a Rawk gawd.
Re: DI-BOX between tube amp and speaker for line out recordi
Thanks for your answers !
Yes that is what I though the 1/4 out would just be a bridge in theory so should hold the same impedance. Palmer do a DI box specially for that purpose (PDI 09) but the speaker emulation can't be deactivated
but I believe that it is the same thing just with the emulation added I don't think there is any wizardry going on
Yes that is what I though the 1/4 out would just be a bridge in theory so should hold the same impedance. Palmer do a DI box specially for that purpose (PDI 09) but the speaker emulation can't be deactivated

Amps : Modded Jet city JCA50h - H&K switchblade 100 head - Jet City Custom 22 - Modded Ashdown FA60DSP - Peavey Delta Blues 210 - Peavey VK 100 head
Cab : 5150 4x12 Slanted - Jet City JCA24S+ - Harley Benton g212 vintage
Guitars : 2015 Gibson Les Paul Studio - 1991 Hamer USA Centaura - 2007 Fender CP 60s strato - Dean USA 30th anniversary ML - Ibanez awd102-nt - Vester Tradition series Strato - WSL Lucifer
Cab : 5150 4x12 Slanted - Jet City JCA24S+ - Harley Benton g212 vintage
Guitars : 2015 Gibson Les Paul Studio - 1991 Hamer USA Centaura - 2007 Fender CP 60s strato - Dean USA 30th anniversary ML - Ibanez awd102-nt - Vester Tradition series Strato - WSL Lucifer
Re: DI-BOX between tube amp and speaker for line out recordi
One last question. What would be the best for my usage ? Active or Passive and Balanced or Unbalanced XLR ? (going into a focusrite 6i6)
Amps : Modded Jet city JCA50h - H&K switchblade 100 head - Jet City Custom 22 - Modded Ashdown FA60DSP - Peavey Delta Blues 210 - Peavey VK 100 head
Cab : 5150 4x12 Slanted - Jet City JCA24S+ - Harley Benton g212 vintage
Guitars : 2015 Gibson Les Paul Studio - 1991 Hamer USA Centaura - 2007 Fender CP 60s strato - Dean USA 30th anniversary ML - Ibanez awd102-nt - Vester Tradition series Strato - WSL Lucifer
Cab : 5150 4x12 Slanted - Jet City JCA24S+ - Harley Benton g212 vintage
Guitars : 2015 Gibson Les Paul Studio - 1991 Hamer USA Centaura - 2007 Fender CP 60s strato - Dean USA 30th anniversary ML - Ibanez awd102-nt - Vester Tradition series Strato - WSL Lucifer
- ajaxlepinski
- Crystal Lettucer
- Posts: 23723
- Joined: Sun Jul 21, 2013 12:35 am
- Location: Same town as Lindsay Lohan, Amy Fisher, Joey Buttafucco & Debbie Gibson
Re: DI-BOX between tube amp and speaker for line out recordi
This has a lot of info: http://thehub.musiciansfriend.com/live- ... direct-box
1969 Sunn Solarus ● 2x 1980's Randall RG-80 ● 2013 Hi-Tone HT103-DG (Best Rig 2014) ● 2015 Mortatone 12/15 Cab w/EV SRO's ● 2017 Jubilee ● 2019 Ceriatone Model Tee ● 2019 Randall Diavlo ● 2020 VHT D50 Dumble Clone
Walt wrote:But when the hour is nigh, and the lights are low, and I got a little toothpick of a shwag joint in my teeth, and my friends want to hear me play "Into the Void", or "TNT", "or "Cemetery Gates"...I plug my 600 dollar guitar into my 150 dollar amp, and I am a Rawk gawd.
Re: DI-BOX between tube amp and speaker for line out recordi
Thanks a lot.
Amps : Modded Jet city JCA50h - H&K switchblade 100 head - Jet City Custom 22 - Modded Ashdown FA60DSP - Peavey Delta Blues 210 - Peavey VK 100 head
Cab : 5150 4x12 Slanted - Jet City JCA24S+ - Harley Benton g212 vintage
Guitars : 2015 Gibson Les Paul Studio - 1991 Hamer USA Centaura - 2007 Fender CP 60s strato - Dean USA 30th anniversary ML - Ibanez awd102-nt - Vester Tradition series Strato - WSL Lucifer
Cab : 5150 4x12 Slanted - Jet City JCA24S+ - Harley Benton g212 vintage
Guitars : 2015 Gibson Les Paul Studio - 1991 Hamer USA Centaura - 2007 Fender CP 60s strato - Dean USA 30th anniversary ML - Ibanez awd102-nt - Vester Tradition series Strato - WSL Lucifer
- GuitarBilly
- Chief Executive Owl
- Posts: 48416
- Joined: Thu Jan 17, 2013 9:03 pm
- Location: Rockville, MD
- Contact:
Re: DI-BOX between tube amp and speaker for line out recordi
The Hughes & Kettner RedBox is great for this application. It's been the industry standard since the 80's. I have the RedBox Pro (passive) and I use it a lot. It even has a speaker simulation, which can be turned off if you are using IRs. The Behringer Ultra G is also really good and it also has a speaker simulator although the RB sounds better. The Ultra G is active and requires a 9v battery or phantom power.
Guitars:
'78 Les Paul Pro / '89 SG Special/ '04 Gibson Les Paul Classic 3 pickup / Jackson Star/ Endres Tele / Fernandes Rhoads/ ''74 Hohner MIJ strat/ 2 Partscasters
Amps:
Depends on when you ask. I got tired of constantly updating this section lol
Cabs
Marshall 1960A w V30s/ Seismic 2x12 w Redback and V30.
Questions about the forum: please PM here. Can't access the forum? Need a password reset? Please access our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/GuitarGearForumOfficial and message me through it.
'78 Les Paul Pro / '89 SG Special/ '04 Gibson Les Paul Classic 3 pickup / Jackson Star/ Endres Tele / Fernandes Rhoads/ ''74 Hohner MIJ strat/ 2 Partscasters
Amps:
Depends on when you ask. I got tired of constantly updating this section lol
Cabs
Marshall 1960A w V30s/ Seismic 2x12 w Redback and V30.
Questions about the forum: please PM here. Can't access the forum? Need a password reset? Please access our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/GuitarGearForumOfficial and message me through it.
Re: DI-BOX between tube amp and speaker for line out recordi
Ended up getting a ART Z-Direct, works perfect, it's a real pleasure using IRs, just got to get myself some good IRs now, was thinking about two notes wall of sound.
Amps : Modded Jet city JCA50h - H&K switchblade 100 head - Jet City Custom 22 - Modded Ashdown FA60DSP - Peavey Delta Blues 210 - Peavey VK 100 head
Cab : 5150 4x12 Slanted - Jet City JCA24S+ - Harley Benton g212 vintage
Guitars : 2015 Gibson Les Paul Studio - 1991 Hamer USA Centaura - 2007 Fender CP 60s strato - Dean USA 30th anniversary ML - Ibanez awd102-nt - Vester Tradition series Strato - WSL Lucifer
Cab : 5150 4x12 Slanted - Jet City JCA24S+ - Harley Benton g212 vintage
Guitars : 2015 Gibson Les Paul Studio - 1991 Hamer USA Centaura - 2007 Fender CP 60s strato - Dean USA 30th anniversary ML - Ibanez awd102-nt - Vester Tradition series Strato - WSL Lucifer