How to record bass track with recording software?

kurdt_excel · #1 02-14-2008, 04:47 AM

I'm an amateur musician and been recording songs using PC software, specifically, Samplitude. However, I cannot seem to perfect the bass sound in the records. I have a Yamaha RBX-170 bass guitar with a fairly well amplifier, and I use to record with only a microphone attached to my PC. Are there any techniques, effects or the likes that I can use to record the bass tracks as if "in a studio"??

Fnord Explorer · #2 02-14-2008, 05:16 AM

Well, if you're recording with a PC microphone you're not going to get much of anything as far as a good tone goes. Seriously, if you're just starting out, invest in a little four-channel mixer or a cheap USB interface, get a decent mic (Shure SM-57 works in a pinch) and a cord and a direct box. That'll improve things dramatically.

Personally I never mic a bass cab for recording. It's just too much work to me, really. I always just plug the bass directly into a DI and manipulate it later. A good DI works wonders.

master-bit · #3 02-14-2008, 01:28 PM

when recording directly to the mixer (or usb interface in my case) I always wonder, what a DI Box ist good for?
It just kinda amplifies the signal, doesn´t it?
I can do that with my recording interface aswell, and well, in the end the recording with DI always sounds worse than the direct one...
So, what is the use of a DI?
I always thought, it qould be just for splitting the Signal, to record direct and from the miced amp simultaniously...?

Fnord Explorer · #4 02-14-2008, 05:48 PM

You can run direct into the board, but I think most mixer preamp sections sound a little harsh and cold. A DI made for the bass adds something to the tone to make it warmer. A DI like a SansAmp is made to handle and shape the signal and I prefer to let it do all the work.

kurdt_excel · #5 02-14-2008, 07:35 PM

Well, I guess I'll stick to this one first... I have better knowledge in using mixers and USB interfaces than DI's. But I saw this site... http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jun0...es/diboxes.asp. I think it also helped me good ideas on the subject matter. thanks guys..

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fnord Explorer

Well, if you're recording with a PC microphone you're not going to get much of anything as far as a good tone goes. Seriously, if you're just starting out, invest in a little four-channel mixer or a cheap USB interface, get a decent mic (Shure SM-57 works in a pinch) and a cord and a direct box. That'll improve things dramatically.

Personally I never mic a bass cab for recording. It's just too much work to me, really. I always just plug the bass directly into a DI and manipulate it later. A good DI works wonders.

HarderTheyFlo · #6 02-15-2008, 04:23 PM

What do you guys suggest as for a USB interface? Im in the same state as the thread starter... Im in a band and we're trying to record. What the setup is some mics for amps, and drums, run into my old peavy PA. Then i run the lineout, which is a left and right stereo out into the mic input into my laptop. I use audacity to record.

It sounded bad at first but then when i run a line out from my laptop to nothing it sounded fine.

What can i do to make this set up sound better? Could a USB interface really help?

Fnord Explorer · #7 02-15-2008, 07:14 PM

I still have a Tascam US-428 but I'm upgrading soon. It records four tracks at once (which is all I've really needed doing all the recording myself anyway) and works fairly well, but it's pretty outdated now. You could snag one cheap, I'm sure. Or something similar.

I'd check to see what interfaces work best with whatever programs you are using and look into those.