I found the RNDI too clean, to the point it was bland.
I primarily play a Ric with flats, for years I used a countryman type 10.
Recently had the opportunity to try the Motown Di and directly compare it to the Neve, Countryman and a Radial Stagebug (passive).
I’d bought the stagebug as the cheap, smallest high quality di I could find with a view to have it in a gigbag for emergencies.
I bought the neve and wholly expected to sell the stagebug and countryman, maybe buy a Acme.
Results of my shootout:
I sold the neve
Bought 2 more stagebugs (one in each gigbag)
Kept the countryman
The stagebugs sound shockingly close to the Motown di.
The countryman is more open and clear without being boring.
I can pm you the Dropbox link with my very rough playing if you want to compare and decide for yourself.
But in short you do not NEED an active di for a passive bass. It does provide more headroom and a stronger signal but no Soundman will struggle with a passive instrument into a passive di.
Everything I found in my shootout was instantly wiped out as soon as they started turning on neve eqs and studio compressors etc.
There is a secondhand stagebug on bassdirect for £60 I would suggest you get that and see if you are left wanting on a gig.