Dynamic Question

[thehuntsbass]

Janek,

I have a question regarding dynamics when recording the bass guitar. I am using a Gibson Thunderbird, Ampeg SVT CL Ampeg 8x10 miked with a Beta 52, and also running a DI sans amp Tech 21 to a separate channel. I am running everything into pro tools via a Digi 003. My issue is with the Tech 21 I am not quite getting the true tube sound I want, but with the mike on the cab I am getting peaks in volumes at certain frequencies. Would you suggest using a compressor, and if so what is a good choice? Also is there another alternative and will it or the compressor color my tube sound? I have researched for a while and haven't been able to come up with a solution. I am new to recording, and have searched some recording/engineer forums and haven't been able to come up with anything so far. Thank you for your time and help in advance.

VR,
Bryan

[janekbass]

well the first thing I would do is cut out all the gear you possibly can. Forget micing the cab, and just play through a good tube pre amp into the board or 003 or whatever. It's just a drag to mic all that stuff up, and unless you're an incredible engineer, have an amazing sounding room to do it in, and have some serious mics on hand to try out, you're not going to get a better sound than playing direct with a short signal chain including a decent tube pre. micing an svt for a home setup is something I've never heard of. It's too much hassle as far as I'm concerned. When i go to a record date as a producer or a bass player I know there will always be someone who knows the technical side of things way more than I do. i take what musical knowledge I have, along with some technical stuff, and as long as it's not totally whack I'll let the person do their job. That is what they're there for after all. Always better to get someone who knows how to do it better than you when dealing with recording. And if you're at home with your studio and don't have the luxury I would just make it way less complicated and go direct. The sound really comes from your fingers and the wood........ so capture that and maybe mess with it in post production if it needs some tweaking.

Easy,

Janek

[thehuntsbass]

Thanks again for all the help

[Reverend_Dan]

From my studio experience, I would say just compress the **** out of everything. On the way in, and on the way out, then probably a bit more just in case. That's not my opinion, just the way all the producers I've worked with have done things. I just tend to observe them while they're working and I'm on downtime.

I personally hate it. Music now is like a sausage factory, and not in the sexy way, more in the 'compressing-everything-to-hell' way just to make everything uniform and easy to deal with. I listen to old records and hear musicians playing with actual dynamics, and i lose a little bit of my soul every time...