Anyone Not Direct Record their Bass

elroyjetsn · #1 03-21-2010, 06:46 PM

Seems like most studio recordings I've heard of electric basses are sans amp. Is that true or just my imagination?

JoZac21 · #2 03-21-2010, 06:54 PM

Depends entirely on the producer, engineer and artist... personally, I record everything DI and use amp modeling simulate a "room/amp" sound... but that's strictly out of necessity (I live in an apartment). If I could, I would record everything w. a split signal, one line into a miked and the other DI... that way you can either blend the two sounds, or choose the one that works best.

pasta4lnch · #3 03-21-2010, 07:00 PM

I use a clean DI every time regardless of whatever else I'm using . . . that includes the SABDDI, amp, amps, fx etc

cat_saltnpepper · #4 03-21-2010, 07:08 PM

it really depends. I've seen some people using Aguilar, Demeter, Brick and etc. for recording directly but also read some articles about using both direct and sound from the amp. some people just use the head like DI box, too. you just have to research it so which one sounds better for you. using DI does make job a lot easier though

nellie48 · #5 03-21-2010, 07:09 PM

We recently recorded and we ran a mic, DI, and a third channel blended. In the end we only used the mic track. Check it out www.vialavulture.bandcamp.com Thats just what sounded best this time round. Running just DI gets some good results. However, I dont understand why a majority of sound guys only want it this way. What is it about recording bass that DI is "so great" but with Guitards it is HORRIBLE?

SonicDevice · #6 03-21-2010, 07:16 PM

I've done it just DI...and just with a mic on the cab...as well as a combination of the two.

You have to go with what sounds best/works with the song.

Govier966 · #7 03-21-2010, 07:19 PM

my band records using everything miced into a mixer feeding a 2 track recorder. it gives a really real sound since i cant tweak my tone after the recording i just mic the amp and run the direct out on the amp as well.

jetgraphics · #8 03-21-2010, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nellie48

What is it about recording bass that DI is "so great" but with Guitards it is HORRIBLE?

In the beginning, there was the FENDER....
Due to Leo's magic, the FENDER BASS sounded great when fed into the recorder. (No, not all basses sound good plugged into the board. Usually, single coils sound best.)

However the guitarist relies on a long and complex chain of acoustic alterations (distortions) to take the tinny, weak string vibrations and compose the mighty guitar wail... from the pickup, pre-amp, FX chain, power amp, speaker and room acoustics. Even modeling amps are but a faint replica of the real thing.

The worst thing you can do for the guitarist is to give him "high fidelity"

nysbob · #9 03-21-2010, 07:49 PM

I've done it every way mentioned - my preferred method at this point it a good mic on my SB12 fliptop. It naturally does all the things a good line signal chain will do with minimal fuss.

I've come to find the blends are more difficult than they're worth due to time / phasing issues. The most satisfying results are straight DI or mic IMO.

TortillaChip520 · #10 03-21-2010, 07:51 PM

my band does everything direct DI. The engineer we work with prefers it, as it gets the full spectrum of sound better than a mic.

elroyjetsn · #11 03-21-2010, 08:01 PM

Next tues will be my first studio recording and was wondering if the amp will be needed. Guess i'll bring it along just in case.

chaosMK · #12 03-23-2010, 12:16 PM

On my recent album, I used a variety of signals:

DI from Sansamp BDDI (from bass it had too much of a glassy attack- I tap a lot, used just for "in case")
DI from head (used for about 80% of tone)
Mic A scooped
Mic B throaty (used more than the other)

I play modern progressive metal and the way I run my head (with the Sansamp BDDI in the effects loop) has a huge effect on my tone- tube compression, saturation, grit, etc. If I played another style, other options might make more sense.

Here is a sample, if it's still up, fairly final mix- http://www.mediafire.com/?z5jnzyzek0m

There is no way I'd get that tone just DI from bass.

Greevus · #13 03-23-2010, 02:08 PM

Using a Shure 57 and a 58 on two Ampeg cabs currently. Like direct okay, but Mics sound nice and spongy and live for me.

guroove · #14 03-23-2010, 02:18 PM

It depends on the style of music, IMO. Back in 2002, I recorded an album with a very heavy rock band where I wanted a very distorted bass sound. The band set up in a room with no isolation booths, just baffles, and we close mic'd everything. Now, most of my recording sessions are done with ProTools, and I just go direct into the recording interface.

tdub0199 · #15 03-23-2010, 02:24 PM

Last week we just ran my bass direct into a Universal Audio 6176 and EQ'ed a little and got a really nice tone...

Bluesy Soul · #16 03-23-2010, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SonicDevice

I've done it just DI...and just with a mic on the cab...as well as a combination of the two.

You have to go with what sounds best/works with the song.

+1 I generally go direct to the board AND record my signal through my Ampeg B-15N miked. And if I had to pick one or the other, it would be the miked Ampeg B-15N.

godofthunder59 · #17 03-23-2010, 02:41 PM

I have to have a mic, DI if you must.

KsPiNeSh · #18 03-23-2010, 02:46 PM

My gear is a part of my sound - mic me please

RobertPaulson · #19 03-23-2010, 02:49 PM

On the record we're making now I tracked all the bass with 2 mic's (SM7 and a large diaphragm condenser, can't remember which one) and a DI. All 3 tracks have their own color and I can either use one that fits the song best, or blend them together. Works great and allows a lot of flexibility in post.

elroyjetsn · #20 03-23-2010, 04:18 PM

I've got BT1000 with expander or i can use my BXR-200 with chorus and 10b-eq and both have xlr outs. Playing a GS205 with phat preamp and noisy single coils. Might just DI and let the guy in the booth tweak it to our liking.