Really nice live sound question

roadkill2309 · #1 03-10-2011, 11:02 PM

I think teh bass comes out really nice and sounds really rich in this vid: Amy Macdonald Video Player (Feb 2010)

It's kinda the sound I hear in my head, but I can't seem to get it with my current setup. It looks like the bass rig is an Ampeg, but I have an Ashdown EVO II.

Are there specific settings that could get me close to that sound? It sounds nice and thick, but it still sounds really lively, which really shows from 1:54 or so 'til about 2:12, then the slide at 2:56.

I've played about with several amps recently, but because most of my gigs are done straight into the PA, I've never really had the opportunity to really get to know the settings and such on any one amp.

Steve · #2 03-11-2011, 02:32 PM

To my ear...
That sounds like a pretty classic P bass tone DI with a little pulled out around 300hz.

That is some sort of hot rodded PJ but there's a ton of P in it to my ear.

I couldn't begin to tell you how to get that tone with your rig or bass but, if most of your work is into a board...and you have a P...

turn the P WFO pull some 300 out of the channel strip and the rest is touch.

IMHO

roadkill2309 · #3 03-11-2011, 03:52 PM

Yes. I heard a P in there as well, so I looked it up. It's a James Trussart PJ, but It sounds like he's only using the P pup to me. Sounds bloody golden for a steel-bodied bass IMHO.

The price on them is terrifying, but if they made a 5ver, I might be tempted anyway: James Trussart Custom Guitars

It hadn't occurred to me that it was the straight board sound I was hearing. My current main player is a P, so I'm going to try bumping the 300 Hz at my next gig. It's going to be straight to the board, so it's perfect for trying out what you said./#/products/3469897

Steve · #4 03-11-2011, 10:59 PM

My thought when I said pull out 300 was to cut some.

I use a PJ and spend a lot of time getting tone from a channel strip EQ instead of an amp.

That would get me there or close enough that I could get the rest of the way by finding the sweet spot on the string. I like to play behind the pick up. That had the sound of being right on top or maybe a little in front to me.

roadkill2309 · #5 03-12-2011, 08:17 AM

Ah. Okay, I'll try that then. I'm guessing that the rest of the board should be flat to start with as well? that way, if I want to adjust something I'm starting fro a known baseline.

I generally play right on top of the pickup, but I move around depending on the song, so that'll be the easy part. I' a bit of a dunce when it comes to the sound board. Which is something that I guess I oughtta change.

Andy V. · #6 03-15-2011, 12:35 AM

Thanks for the tip!
Is there a site where we can learn what to expect from the different freq points regarding the bass tone?

Steve · #7 03-15-2011, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy V.

Thanks for the tip!
Is there a site where we can learn what to expect from the different freq points regarding the bass tone?

Not that I know of but, you can download Audacity, or Reaper use it to remove the bass line form your favorite song, record your own bass line for the song then go to work with the EQ in the software.

You spend enough time doing that at your leisure and it won't be long before you know what works for you and your gear.

What works for one guy's fingers, style and gear doesn't really translate all that well to anyone else. It's like, everyone knows where the park is but, the best way to get there depends on where you're leaving from.

IMHO