The Ashdown Pro-DI is a bass pre-amp pedal with a DI output, made by Ashdown Engineering. Ashdown describes it as carrying "everything you might expect from a touring bass pre-amp pedal, including its own transformer-isolated DI output". In one box it packs the company's signature five-band EQ with a Shape option, a valve-emulated overdrive with mix and level controls, and the DI section for sending a balanced signal to front of house or a monitor feed. Ashdown lists its applications as stage, rehearsal and studio, and it sits alongside the company's other bass preamp and drive pedals such as the Ashdown Triple Shot and Ashdown Lomenzo Mega Drive.1
Inputs, outputs and power
The Pro-DI is built around a set of inputs and outputs that let it serve as the hub of a bass rig. On the input side there are three ways in: a passive input, an active input with a -3dB sensitivity pad for hotter active instruments, and a Line In with its own dedicated line mix level control on top of the pedal. Ashdown says the line input allows you to plug in an audio device or monitor feed and blend it into your sound.1
On the output side there are three ways out, all post-EQ at 0dB nominal1:
| Output | What it does |
|---|---|
| DI Output | Transformer isolated, balanced, with optional ground lift; for front of house or a monitor feed1 |
| Link Out | Connection to another monitor feed or an alternative front of house output1 |
| Headphone Output | Dedicated output on the rear for a customized personal mix, with Line Mix blending1 |
The transformer isolation on the DI output is the detail most players will care about at a gig: it separates the pedal's signal from the console side of the connection, and the optional ground lift is there for the situations where a ground loop hums through the PA. Ashdown describes the DI as providing "perfect balanced output for front of house or a monitor feed".1
The Pro-DI requires a 9V power supply with center pin negative polarity and a 45mA draw. Ashdown states the power supply is not included, so budget for one, and make sure any shared or daisy-chain supply can cover the 45mA on top of your other pedals.1
For setting levels, the pedal carries an on-board VU meter, which Ashdown describes as being for precise input and output level balancing. That is a practical aid when you are switching between basses or setting the DI level against the amp.1
Controls and sound
The front panel follows the Ashdown preamp formula. A five-band EQ shapes the core tone, and alongside it a Shape switch offers what Ashdown calls "instant classic Ashdown voicing", a one-press route to the company's characteristic EQ curve.1
The overdrive section is valve emulated and carries its own Mix and Level controls. Ashdown says it preserves unity gain when engaged, so turning the drive on does not change your overall volume, and the mix control lets you blend the driven signal with the clean one. Ashdown describes the range as letting you "add subtle grit or full saturation without losing output volume or definition".1
Build and dimensions
The Pro-DI is a pedal-format unit with the following dimensions and weight, as listed by Ashdown:1
Ashdown describes the enclosure as a tough chassis, road ready and serviceable, and says the pedal is "designed with repairability in mind" and "engineered for longevity". At 1.46 kg it is heavier than a typical compact pedal, which reflects the transformer and the chassis rather than a mini enclosure.1
Support and warranty
Ashdown backs the Pro-DI with a 5-year warranty, which the company says "guarantees peace of mind and professional-grade performance night after night". Support comes from Ashdown's UK-based team, reachable by phone or email, with a response within 24 hours on weekdays. Ashdown ships UK customer orders within 1 to 2 business days, with next-day delivery via TNT for orders placed before 3pm Monday to Friday.1
A user manual for the Pro-DI is available as a PDF download from Ashdown's product page, covering English, French, German, Spanish and Italian.1
Videos
Ashdown Engineering
Questions
Does the Ashdown Pro-DI come with a power supply?
No. Ashdown states on the product page that the power supply is not included. The pedal needs a 9V supply with centre pin negative polarity and a 45mA current draw, so a standard 9V centre-negative supply that can deliver at least 45mA will run it. Check the current budget on any daisy-chain supply you plan to use.
Does the Pro-DI have a headphone output?
Yes. There is a dedicated headphone output on the rear of the pedal. Ashdown describes it as a way to build a customised mix: you can blend the amount of an external audio source you want to hear in your own headphone mix, using the pedal's Line In and its line mix level control.
Can the Pro-DI be used with an active bass?
Yes. The pedal provides a passive and active input sensitivity pad, with a -3dB cut intended for use with active instruments. Plug an active bass into the active input to keep the input stage from being overdriven by the hotter signal.
Does the DI output have a ground lift?
Yes. The DI output is transformer isolated and balanced, with an optional ground lift, and it sits post-EQ at 0dB nominal. Ashdown positions it for feeding front of house or a monitor feed.
What does the Line In do on the Pro-DI?
The Line In sits on top of the pedal with its own dedicated line mix level control. It lets you plug in an audio device or monitor feed and blend it into your sound, which pairs with the headphone output for building a personal mix.
How long is the Ashdown Pro-DI warranty?
Ashdown backs the Pro-DI with a 5-year warranty. The company also states that its UK-based support team can be reached by phone or email and responds within 24 hours on weekdays.
Sources (1)
- Ashdown Pro-DI, Ashdown Engineering (ashdownmusic.com)
