Holy crap - that Jensen seems very expensive for a passive DI.
I am not so sure that it is considered a standard. I don't know everything, by a long shot, but I have never heard of that one. I play at lots of festivals and such, where sound is provided, and I don't recall being provided with one of those. Maybe I was, and just didn't notice. Usually when I ask for a DI, the one that I see used over and over and over again is the Whirlwind Director.
About 15 years ago, I decided that I needed a couple DI's of my own. I was at a festival, in fact, it was at Isleton in 2002, which is where I met Dwight in person for the first time - along with several other Bravenet denizens. I noticed that they were using the Whirlwind Director, which I had seen before. I spoke with the sound engineers about them and they said something along the lines of that was somewhat of a standard, they are high quality, very reliable, etc. That was good enough for me, and I went back and bought two of them on Ebay the next week. I still have them and have never had a problem with them.
They are a lot cheaper than the Jensen. Even cheaper if you get them used, and they seem to be one of those things were getting one used is a low risk proposition.
But you raise a good point. There is definitely a place for an active DI. I happen to have two of those as well, which I bought based on a high recommendation from someone here (sorry, I don't remember who exactly. Maybe his first name was Russ, and he was based out of New York somewhere?)
Anyway, they are a nifty little box from ART, which is a tube based active DI. It has both 1/4 inch and XLR ins and outs, so it is very versatile. The tube allows for a bit of overdrive if you want, with that great tube warmth.
I consider it to be more of a preamp than a DI, at least that is how I have used it. It is really good if you have a weak signal and need to boost it up.
The price was amazing: around $30. I'd have to look up the exact model name.
The April 2011 Dewey Balfa Cajun & Creole Heritage Week
