Recording - July 2020 - 71

different outputs. The line out is +25dBu,
the mic out is +3.7dBu and the processed 1/4" out is +8dBu (more on this
below). The XLR mic and line outs each
feature their own isolated transformer.
As an instrument preamp, again, the HDI
starts simple; use the level control (-3 to
+31dB) to send signals through the line
level output to your favorite interface-
no additional preamp stage needed.
With the color and presence controls at
zero, you get clean and clear.

Opto-Compressor

Next in the signal path:
compression. The threeposition Opto switch engages a simple old schoolstyle opto compressor
(think LA2A or LA3A). It
has a fixed 6:1 ratio with
a maximum of 8dB of gain
reduction, all dependent
on how hard you push
the signal into it with the
level control. The middle and upper positions
of the Opto switch set
the threshold, with the
top position offering the
most clampdown. A red
LED glows when gain
reduction occurs.
Sonically, the compression is firm but
gentle, and does its job to even out the
sound-bass slaps and pops, loud synth
spikes, and the other usual suspects.
With the Opto switch flipped all the way
up, the effect can be very grabby and
even a touch aggressive.

Color outside the lines

Now we come to the heart and soul of
the HDI. The Color control does just that
and adds harmonic distortion and weight
via an oversized Jensen transformer with
custom winding. When set counter-clockwise, negative feedback is used post
transformer to keep the sound transparent. As you turn the dial clockwise, separate custom windings are unleashed with
even-order harmonics that add a pronounced low end weight. As you push
the input level harder, the harmonics
bloom into a lovely rich fuzzy overdrive.
Under the hood, when the color control
is boosted past noon, the compressor no
longer has any effect on the signal.

Harmonic drive

From the Empirical Labs Distressor to
the Bettermaker Bus Compressor (reviewed on Page 58), many analog devices offer various harmonic drive options.
Most of these lean toward the subtle side
for filling out the sound and adding a
hint of grit. Not so on the HDI-it can get
close to gentle stompbox or vintage console drive. On bass, I enjoy how it fuzzily fills out the sound but never obscures
or overtakes the punch and tone of the
bass. The same can be said for synths.
On electric guitar, it can be pushed into

a gentle, vintage-sounding preamp drive
tone reminiscent of Rolling Stones or even
early AC/DC amp breakup.
The Color control is thick-the low
end fills out fast. For this reason, Radial and Hutch have added a post-Color
two-stage highpass filter (switchable at
40Hz or 100Hz, -6dB) to reign it in.

Presence

Last, we come to Presence. Turned
clockwise, it boosts the upper mids and
highs to add cut and clarity to both dull,
dry signals, or signals that may be too
rich with color.

Balancing act

In use, the HDI is the sum of its parts,
and each control plays off of the others
as you quickly and easily dial in the
right sound for your source. The HDI
output can be cumulative and subtle,
or pushed to the thick and fuzzy edge
with little fuss. Beyond a Fender P-Bass,
a Ric 4003, a Fender Telecaster, and a

direct Epiphone acoustic, all of which
interacted wonderfully with the HDI, I
especially enjoyed it on my 70s Fender
Rhodes. It was easy to add a speck of
nice top end dirt that was quite responsive to playing style.
I used the HDI direct into my Universal Audio Apollo X16 at line level. I had
even more fun running it from the XLR
output into a few tube and solid state
preamps for even more tonal variations.
If you want to add more drive and color,
you can run a line out into your preamps
and engage the pad. The 1/4" processed
out is the equivalent of
having a thru with processing added, allowing
you to make use of the
compression and color
feature in a signal that
you can run straight into
your amp without overloading the input.
While it's typical to
track a direct bass signal with a miked bass
amp and blend them
in the mix, it's now
also common to track
a direct guitar signal
for reamping or taking
advantage of virtual
amp plugins. The HDI
excels here as well, but it's also fun
to mic up and track your favorite amp
fed through the thru, but then fuzz out
and drive the direct guitar signal and
track that as well. This can offer a great
blended sound, or even split in stereo
for unique guitar tones.

Wrap up

Since the HDI offers so much connectivity (even a 1/8" input!) and gain
stage possibilities, as well as tonal options and a simple and effective compressor, it's tough to find anything to
gripe about. $800 is a bit more than
most of us want to spend when we're
thinking about picking up a new direct
box, but the price is in line with high
quality mic preamps, and dang, this
thing is versatile, powerful, and sounds
great clean and dirty.
Price: Price: $799
More from: radialeng.com
RECORDING July 2020

71


http://www.radialeng.com

Recording - July 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recording - July 2020

Fade In
Fast Forward
TWA Effects: SIDE STEP Universal Variable State LFO Pedal
That One Virtual Amp
Gauge Precision Instruments: ECM-80 Dynamic Vocal Microphone
Soyuz: The Launcher Inline Active Preamp
Plugin Outlet: IK Multimedia AmpliTube Brian May
Inside the Studio with Mark Hornsby: Recording Guitarist Carl Verheyen
TASCAM SERIES 8p Dyna 8 channel mic preamplifier with analog compressor
Self Made Sisters: In the studio with Larkin Poe
Eventide: Rose Pedal
Soundware Showcase: Toontrack EZbass Virtual Bass Guitar
Mackie Producer Bundle
Considering a Guitar-Based Studio
UK Sound: 1073
Inside the Box with Joe Albano: The DAW: Getting the Most Out of Your Virtual Amp
Bettermaker: Bus Compressor
Readers’ Tracks
DACS: HeadLine Guitar Switching System
Radial: HDI High Definition Studio Direct Box
Fade Out: Art vs. Science in Mixing—and Life?
Recording - July 2020 - Intro
Recording - July 2020 - Cover1
Recording - July 2020 - Cover2
Recording - July 2020 - 1
Recording - July 2020 - 2
Recording - July 2020 - 3
Recording - July 2020 - Fade In
Recording - July 2020 - 5
Recording - July 2020 - 6
Recording - July 2020 - 7
Recording - July 2020 - Fast Forward
Recording - July 2020 - 9
Recording - July 2020 - TWA Effects: SIDE STEP Universal Variable State LFO Pedal
Recording - July 2020 - 11
Recording - July 2020 - That One Virtual Amp
Recording - July 2020 - 13
Recording - July 2020 - 14
Recording - July 2020 - 15
Recording - July 2020 - 16
Recording - July 2020 - 17
Recording - July 2020 - 18
Recording - July 2020 - 19
Recording - July 2020 - Gauge Precision Instruments: ECM-80 Dynamic Vocal Microphone
Recording - July 2020 - 21
Recording - July 2020 - Soyuz: The Launcher Inline Active Preamp
Recording - July 2020 - 23
Recording - July 2020 - Plugin Outlet: IK Multimedia AmpliTube Brian May
Recording - July 2020 - 25
Recording - July 2020 - Inside the Studio with Mark Hornsby: Recording Guitarist Carl Verheyen
Recording - July 2020 - 27
Recording - July 2020 - 28
Recording - July 2020 - 29
Recording - July 2020 - TASCAM SERIES 8p Dyna 8 channel mic preamplifier with analog compressor
Recording - July 2020 - 31
Recording - July 2020 - Self Made Sisters: In the studio with Larkin Poe
Recording - July 2020 - 33
Recording - July 2020 - 34
Recording - July 2020 - 35
Recording - July 2020 - 36
Recording - July 2020 - 37
Recording - July 2020 - 38
Recording - July 2020 - 39
Recording - July 2020 - 40
Recording - July 2020 - 41
Recording - July 2020 - Eventide: Rose Pedal
Recording - July 2020 - 43
Recording - July 2020 - Soundware Showcase: Toontrack EZbass Virtual Bass Guitar
Recording - July 2020 - 45
Recording - July 2020 - Mackie Producer Bundle
Recording - July 2020 - 47
Recording - July 2020 - Considering a Guitar-Based Studio
Recording - July 2020 - 49
Recording - July 2020 - 50
Recording - July 2020 - 51
Recording - July 2020 - UK Sound: 1073
Recording - July 2020 - 53
Recording - July 2020 - Inside the Box with Joe Albano: The DAW: Getting the Most Out of Your Virtual Amp
Recording - July 2020 - 55
Recording - July 2020 - 56
Recording - July 2020 - 57
Recording - July 2020 - Bettermaker: Bus Compressor
Recording - July 2020 - 59
Recording - July 2020 - Readers’ Tracks
Recording - July 2020 - 61
Recording - July 2020 - 62
Recording - July 2020 - 63
Recording - July 2020 - 64
Recording - July 2020 - 65
Recording - July 2020 - DACS: HeadLine Guitar Switching System
Recording - July 2020 - 67
Recording - July 2020 - 68
Recording - July 2020 - 69
Recording - July 2020 - Radial: HDI High Definition Studio Direct Box
Recording - July 2020 - 71
Recording - July 2020 - Fade Out: Art vs. Science in Mixing—and Life?
Recording - July 2020 - Cover3
Recording - July 2020 - Cover4
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