Amps on a session

[micahbell]

Just curious - what do you bring for amps to a session?
Do you usually bring a head, a head and a cab, a preamp, or nothing and go direct?

My recording experience has been fairly limited - I've done two sessions where I went direct, two when I was asked to bring both my head and cab (but there wasn't a mic on the cab either time), and when I record from home I just go direct and use the Ampeg software. I'm doing a session now in a few weeks where I was asked to just bring my pre, which I thought was weird but makes sense.

When you go to a session are you usually told what to bring or do you just bring what you feel will fit?

[DanRJBrasil]

Usually a fender, and you're set, most techs would say :O
I remember once after a session when I brought some of my gear the guitarist told me that people complain, and told me that the tech said that the computer had a ampeg simulator, so bringing mine and set up the head, cabs and miking was a waste of studio time, and I replied him ok so if they had a marshall simulator would you use it instead?
Seriously, bring to the recording session what you feel that is needed, nothing more nothing less

[jmjbassplayer]

People now expect me to bring what I think would be best for the task at hand. I think this far along, I have the luxury of being trusted to choose my weapons.

I usually bring a B15, amp wise.

[TheDialog]

Originally Posted by jmjbassplayer

People now expect me to bring what I think would be best for the task at hand. I think this far along, I have the luxury of being trusted to choose my weapons.

I usually bring a B15, amp wise.

I've seen your 2 70's? B15's. Do you prefer those to the 60's because of more mid-range presence? Do you have a favorite year?

Happy New Year btw

[jmjbassplayer]

Yes, I prefer the '70's ones. I have one blue line (c. 69-71) and a black line (I think it's a '74). They are just punchier sounding to me. They both sound good, I'll take either.

JMJ

[brndn123]

It depends where you are recording. Most legit studios provide an ampeg rig with an assortment of basses, though like Dan said, you will probably end up recording with a Fender.

IME I've never had to bring ANY gear besides a bass and a tuner (though usually they suggest you use theirs for continuity purposes)

Bottom line though, you can walk in with a beat up squier pbass and if you rock it, give the track the necessary groove, and perform solid lines, you are good to go.

[the byronic man]

i go with my Fender Prophecy II and Sunn Coliseum, with a Sansamp Bass DI for direct. i've gotten nothing but compliments from engineers with this rig.

[brndn123]

Originally Posted by the byronic man

i go with my Fender Prophecy II and Sunn Coliseum, with a Sansamp Bass DI for direct. i've gotten nothing but compliments from engineers with this rig.

Who needs an SVT? I bet that thing sounds monstrous

[the byronic man]

Originally Posted by brndn123

Who needs an SVT? I bet that thing sounds monstrous

it sure does.

[JimmyM]

i still need an svt sometimes

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by TheDialog

I've seen your 2 70's? B15's. Do you prefer those to the 60's because of more mid-range presence? Do you have a favorite year?

Happy New Year btw

having owned a 77 b-15n (same model as justin's, different cosmetics), i actually think they have less upper mid response than the double baffle cabs i prefer, but their low mid/midbass is to die for. at least with the cts alnico justin's b-15's have. mine didn't come originally with the cts but for some reason one from 71 was installed in it. throw an altec 421a in a thiele cab, and you'll get a lot of that upper mid back as well as more high end. cts 15"s used in those thiele cabs don't have much high end at all imho, but again...that midbass freakin' rules!

what i'm more curious about is that the b-15r is sealed, yet he's said it's his go-to b-15 these days. i would think the tones are wildly different and the b-15r would sound closer to the double baffle cabs than the thiele cabs, though i admit to no experience with it. justin, would enjoy hearing your thoughts on the matter.

[Johnny Crab]

Back then:
Trace Elliot mic'ed(brought a Sennheiser 421 for them) 4x10 combo and a DI.

Now:
One bass + Line 6 PODXTLive--->DI box by studio guy.
The song needed a full, bottom-heavy bass so 7B(HUGE 360 tweaked) was stepped on.
Guitarist used his Variax and Vetta.

[micahbell]

Great guys - thanks for all the input!

[jmjbassplayer]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

having owned a 77 b-15n (same model as justin's, different cosmetics), i actually think they have less upper mid response than the double baffle cabs i prefer, but their low mid/midbass is to die for. at least with the cts alnico justin's b-15's have. mine didn't come originally with the cts but for some reason one from 71 was installed in it. throw an altec 421a in a thiele cab, and you'll get a lot of that upper mid back as well as more high end. cts 15"s used in those thiele cabs don't have much high end at all imho, but again...that midbass freakin' rules!

what i'm more curious about is that the b-15r is sealed, yet he's said it's his go-to b-15 these days. i would think the tones are wildly different and the b-15r would sound closer to the double baffle cabs than the thiele cabs, though i admit to no experience with it. justin, would enjoy hearing your thoughts on the matter.

I dunno...they both sound super good to me, just different. The B-15R is more full range, and responds to pedals better. THe older ones are more funky and warm.
J

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by jmjbassplayer

I dunno...they both sound super good to me, just different. The B-15R is more full range, and responds to pedals better. THe older ones are more funky and warm.
J

i dig.