Thanks defrag, your examples are news to me. The line I was responding to
read “a direct box>interface”, non of DI’s I knew of could take a direct hit from a power amp.
Even Behringer has one that can be tied to the output of the amp.
Edited to correct a mistake…
I would not plug a tube amp into that particular DI box as it presents a very high impedance to the amp, and will likely destroy the amp’s output transformer and output tubes! That DI box appears to be made to work with solid state amps only.
On tube amps, you shouldn’t use a device that is rated more than the recommended impedance of the amp. High impedance loads can cause voltage spikes high enough to cause the output tubes and/or tube sockets to arc, and can cause arcing between the windings in the output transformer.
More to think about…
with tube amps, i have used a THD Hot Plate attenuator, to decrease volume, but also for its line out feature. While providing a line out, the unit allows for all, some or no volume from the speaker cab. the only catch is that the Hot Plate comes in various impedence ratings to match speakers and amps…one doesn’t fit all.
also for recording guitar or live applications, i’ve successfully used a Behringer GI100 direct box (guitar>pedalboard>mixer)…it has switchable cab emulation. its $50, and they claim it can handle the amp load between output and speaker, but i don’t trust it.
i used to run my little phatty through a carvin bass amp, and it sounded great. it reallly depends on how you eq it i think.
I use one of these. Well, actually the no-longer-manufactured 2-channel version, but you get the idea. (The new 2-channel version has a bigger amplifier and costs more)
What I like about this beast is that it sounds really good, covers the full frequency range, down to pretty low bass, and weighs only about 20 pounds. Its main disadvantage is that it isn’t stereo, and it’s much easier to use on the floor than to get it up to ear level.
At home I have a pair of Wharfedale powered monitors. They sound great above 50Hz… I would love to pair them with the right sub for a fuller spectrum.
Live it depends on the show… with all-electronic stuff I go to a mixer (usually mackie or b’ger) straight to PA; with rock bands I run my synths to a Roland JC-120 amp. It has a really clean, flat response for a guitar amp, sounds enormous, and has that rich Roland analog chorus… in stereo, too! Very well set up for synth playing, overall.