The Bass is LOUD, But...

[plangentmusic]

...depending on how it's played and how it sounds and how it's voiced with the arrangement, a bass can be VERY up-front without it being "too much."

This is an example of something I presented a while back to BASS PLAYERS, many of whom felt the bass was mixed to high. Meanwhile, critics, reviewers and most people in general don't hear it that way. Have we been brainwashed by so many guitarists, producers, club owners, that audible bass is something to be shunned?

What do you think? All TB member opinions are welcome. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqgCN5dvc_Q


What's the verdict. Too much? Or just enough? Thanks.

[Drifta]

Originally Posted by plangentmusic

...depending on how it's played and how it sounds and how it's voiced with the arrangement, a bass can be VERY up-front without it being "too much."

This is an example of something I presented a while back to BASS PLAYERS, many of whom felt the bass was mixed to high. Meanwhile, critics, reviewers and most people in general don't hear it that way. Have we been brainwashed by so many guitarists, producers, club owners, that audible bass is something to be shunned?

What do you think? All TB member opinions are welcome. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqgCN5dvc_Q


What's the verdict. Too much? Or just enough? Thanks.

I think, and it's probably because I come from a jamacian/ reggae background... It seems fine, but when the distortion guitar starts playing -- I think the bass should be more prominent. I'd also say in that style thats what you want.. It's sort of got a island/reggae feel and the bass needs to be popping out. You should be just as loud as that lead guitar.\

It might just be the recording but, I feel it's lacking in the bass catagorey, you cut through fine but needs a thick bottom behind it, probably either my speakers or the recording though.

[Joe Nerve]

I think it could be better mixed. Kick drum is buried on my speakers, and the guitars seems a bit far away. There's enough room in the instrumentation for the bass to be clear and up front without it being as in your face as it is. Sounds like someone playing bass over some pre recorded tracks to me.

[plangentmusic]

Originally Posted by Joe Nerve

I think it could be better mixed. Kick drum is buried on my speakers, and the guitars seems a bit far away. There's enough room in the instrumentation for the bass to be clear and up front without it being as in your face as it is. Sounds like someone playing bass over some pre recorded tracks to me.

More "up front" but less "in your face." Not sure if I get that.

[plangentmusic]

Originally Posted by Drifta

I think, and it's probably because I come from a jamacian/ reggae background... It seems fine, but when the distortion guitar starts playing -- I think the bass should be more prominent. I'd also say in that style thats what you want.. It's sort of got a island/reggae feel and the bass needs to be popping out. You should be just as loud as that lead guitar.\

It might just be the recording but, I feel it's lacking in the bass catagorey, you cut through fine but needs a thick bottom behind it, probably either my speakers or the recording though.

You think it can have MORE bass? Interesting. It isn't really reggae but I see what you mean.

[Joe Nerve]

Originally Posted by plangentmusic

More "up front" but less "in your face." Not sure if I get that.

The bass can cut through clearly without it being so loud in the mix. As I hear it, it sounds like it's sitting on top of everything and not really gelling with the track. My words were perhaps poorly chosen but I guess I meant:

Up front - clearly heard.

In your face - too loud in the mix.

While I know it's a totally different genre - if you listen to the mix on my vid below, the bass is mixed in so it comes out at ya when the rest of the music allows it to. All the instruments share the spotlight equally and no particular one overpowers any other. Had the bass been any more up in the mix I think it would have been annoying or tiresome to listen to.

[baalroo]

Originally Posted by Joe Nerve

I think it could be better mixed. Kick drum is buried on my speakers, and the guitars seems a bit far away. There's enough room in the instrumentation for the bass to be clear and up front without it being as in your face as it is. Sounds like someone playing bass over some pre recorded tracks to me.

yup

[plangentmusic]

Originally Posted by Joe Nerve

The bass can cut through clearly without it being so loud in the mix. As I hear it, it sounds like it's sitting on top of everything and not really gelling with the track. My words were perhaps poorly chosen but I guess I meant:

Up front - clearly heard.

In your face - too loud in the mix.

While I know it's a totally different genre - if you listen to the mix on my vid below, the bass is mixed in so it comes out at ya when the rest of the music allows it to. All the instruments share the spotlight equally and no particular one overpowers any other. Had the bass been any more up in the mix I think it would have been annoying or tiresome to listen to.

Hmm, gotta disagree. First of all, we're comparing a straight tone to a slapped tone and a thicker arrangement to a more bare one and an opposing rhythm to one that's more unison. Totally apples and oranges.

I think your tune is cool and the playing is good but I think the bass tone is a little "clicky." No offense.

[Joe Nerve]

No offense taken. Different opinions, different music, that's wut makes the world colorful. I like the way my bass sits in the mix, you like the way yours does. You're questioning yourself though. I'm not.

[M0ses]

IMO it is too loud. Audible doesn't have to mean overpowering. Honestly, is the bass the most interesting thing going on in this music? No, it's repetitive. And yet here it is in the spotlight. If you want the glory, don't switch to guitar, but play something glorious.

[ajb]

I think the bass sounds great and "glorious" to my ears. Nice groove, nice tone. Well done.

[plangentmusic]

Originally Posted by Joe Nerve

No offense taken. Different opinions, different music, that's wut makes the world colorful. I like the way my bass sits in the mix, you like the way yours does. You're questioning yourself though. I'm not.

No actually I'm not questioning myself. But it's good that you can be confident in what you do no matter what others think.

[Lionslicer9999]

The bass is fine, because there is so much going on in the song, the bass and rhythm would get lost in the mix. But like someone said earlier, the mix itself could be better, the bass drum needs better mix. Maybe you could turn the bass down a little bit, but I really think its fine.

[Lowbrow]

Originally Posted by M0ses

If you want the glory, don't switch to guitar, but play something glorious.

Brilliant and amen.

[One Drop]

Too much, by a bit, IMO.

I feel in this type of instrumental everything should be finely balanced and the bass should only really be noticeable if you concentrate on it. Maybe with the kick (and drums in general) a bit more forward in the mix the bass would sound fine.

A lot of '60s pop had the bass mixed quite high, but of course the drums were generally mixed louder than they tend to be these days, too.

[mazdah]

I don't like how the bass sounds in the first video.

Here are my examples of perfect bass mix:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz-UvQYAmbg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsTP543lpqQ

[plangentmusic]

Originally Posted by M0ses

IMO it is too loud. Audible doesn't have to mean overpowering. Honestly, is the bass the most interesting thing going on in this music? No, it's repetitive. And yet here it is in the spotlight. If you want the glory, don't switch to guitar, but play something glorious.

Well, I'm playing all the instruments on the video so it isn't a matter of wanted more of ME up front.

Nor do I feel it necessary to demonstrate technical prowess in order to justify a part being up front.

If you listened, you'd know the bass actually takes a lead role on the bridge. (Whether or not you like it is subjective). I also believe that sometimes a groove is glorious on its own.

But again, if it doesn't hit you, it doesn't hit you. I'm not questioning the critique -- just the rational behind it.

[plangentmusic]

Originally Posted by mazdah

I don't like how the bass sounds in the first video.

Here are my examples of perfect bass mix:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz-UvQYAmbg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsTP543lpqQ

Ha! Well, Jamerson and Marvin -- I'm not going to compete against that. No one can.

As for the second video. It sounds nice, but essentially a simple part with the bass mixed up way up front. Maybe the previous poster "M0ses" might have a problem with its "glory."

[Terry Funk]

I like this very much, good work.

[plangentmusic]

Originally Posted by Terry Funk

I like this very much, good work.

Thanks bro, appreciate it.