Need Input On My Tone

[Mannas]

I've been messing around with recording and wanted to get opinions on how it is sounding. After fooling around with it for so long my ears give up and it all sounds the same and I'm never satisfied.

The attached clip was recorded with my P bass through the IK Multimedia Stealth Pedal and into Ampeg SVX.

How does it sound? At first I liked it. Then I thought it seemed a bit muddy with not much highs. Thoughts?

Also, is it worth it to ditch the Stealth Pedal interface and get a DI or a preamp? I am looking to get the best quality I can but would like to not have to spend more than $400-$500.

I got the Stealth Pedal because I got a really good deal on it and wanted to use it as a guitar interface as well. Anybody else use one? To me it seems to almost bring down the quality of the sound (but that could be just me).

Any help would definitely be appreciated.

[HollowBassman]

More highs wouldn't hurt, but I think it sounds good. Mixed with other instruments you might have trouble hearing the higher notes.

[Schizoid75]

I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with that tone, it just depends on the rest of the band and/or recording. I thought it sounded nice by itself. Hard to say how it will sound with other instruments. A lot of that depends on how they decide to eq themselves.

[Mannas]

Thank you both. I appreciate the input. There is something about the Stealth Pedal interface. It tends to kill the highs and make it sound almost muffled. I don't know if it is just me and I need to eq better or the interface is just not giving a true direct sound and is coloring the tone. I tried running through the line out on my Ibanez amp and it seemed the other way around, great highs but no bass.

Would I be better off to get a DI box?

[HollowBassman]

I have no experience with the Stealth Pedal but, from what I've read about it, there should be a way to get more highs or cut some lows when using it. Are you using the line level or hi-z input?

[Mannas]

It says that it has two 1/4" inputs which will be Hi-Z if an unbalanced cables and will change to line level if you use balance 1/4" cables. I'm using my instrument cable from the bass straight in. I can change the eq on the software but I guess I'm not convinced about the direct unprocessed signal first.

That's why I was wondering if I might be better off with a DI box for a better signal upfront. I was thinking if I can't get a good signal upfront, I will be spending more time trying to clean up something.

[elgecko]

IMO, it sounds muddy and that's by itself. I would image it'd be even worse in a full mix.

[mokeanL]

i also use the stealthplug, i hate it i think it worsens the tone as well. and i get a random scracth fuzz from it O.O help?

[Mannas]

Well good. At least I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels that way.