Confused....

billoetjen · #1 07-28-2010, 07:44 PM

Shouldn't we want to be heard underneath the guitars, vocals, cymbals, snare, etc?

Why the obsession with folks who want to be heard over them?

Just askin.

codeinedreams · #2 07-29-2010, 12:13 AM

depends on the music. I usually like to be heard equally with everyone else in most everything I record, esp. when I'm playing bass lines with lots of runs, fills, or interesting melodies, so when recording I adjust the tone to sound more punchy with more treble and virtually no compression in the mix than what most people typically do. but if I'm playing something that's meant to be in the background, like a simpler supportive line, like in a fuzzed-out lo-fi sounding rock band, for example, then I set it back in the mix and use more compression. I've never wanted to be heard over anyone else, except maybe if I'm doing some kind of a solo.

Muaguana · #3 07-29-2010, 12:44 AM

If you're talking about the three-dimensional sonic spectrum that audio engineers use when mixing, then you have to specify whether you're talking about volume or timbre (frequency content.) I'm starting to pass out, though, so hopefully someone else knowledgeable in this subject can chime in.

codeinedreams · #4 07-29-2010, 01:13 AM

I was referring to both (didn't want to get into a big discussion about audio engineering), but the point was that I personally in most cases like to be about = with the rest either live or in recordings. Shaping the tone helps quite a bit in bringing the bass out in front if so desired, just as much as volume does, IMO.

faulknersj · #5 07-29-2010, 01:16 AM

Bass should be heard WITH them. A mix is relative. All components should be in proper balance. I respect the humility behind your post, but the components should be in perfect harmony. When the ideal hormony is acheived, all components are clearly heard...and defined.

JimmyM · #6 07-29-2010, 07:34 PM

i didn't bust my ass learning all this stuff to be buried in the mix

having said that, i think my tone stands out less currently than it used to, but i still want to be heard plain as day and as loud as anyone else.

Sammy_L_D · #7 07-29-2010, 08:11 PM

If there's anyone who wants to be heard "over" the other instrumentation, they're not understanding the purpose of our instrument, and should be subsequently ignored.

KingRazor · #8 07-30-2010, 12:47 AM

If you can't hear an instrument in the mix...why have it there in the first place?

JimmyM · #9 07-30-2010, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sammy_L_D

If there's anyone who wants to be heard "over" the other instrumentation, they're not understanding the purpose of our instrument, and should be subsequently ignored.

just to clarify, i didn't say "over." time and a place for everything. but i certainly don't want people to have to strain to hear me.

however, -i- define the purpose of -my- instrument while -you- define the purpose of -your- instrument. don't make the mistake of projecting your likes and dislikes on others.

alexwittscheck · #10 07-30-2010, 09:30 AM

To me, it depends on what you are talking about. If you are talking about the times that people on this forum say that they cannot hear themselves over the guitarists on stage, then I think that is a legitimate complaint. They aren't actually saying they want to be louder than the guitarist. They are saying that they want to be able to hear themselves.

As far as mixes go, they are a balance. Every mix has something that is the loudest in the mix, for most pop music it is the vocal. But, that is subjective to the artist and genre of music, IMO. In the music I play, the bass should not be out front, but it definitely needs to be heard along with everything else.

JDJen · #11 07-30-2010, 10:09 AM

I set my rig so I can hear it on stage and send a dry signal to the board. In my opinion, it's the soundman's responsibility to have an unbiased ear, and mix everything so it sounds good out front. That's what he's getting paid for.

Jaco who? · #12 07-30-2010, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sammy_L_D

If there's anyone who wants to be heard "over" the other instrumentation, they're not understanding the purpose of our instrument, and should be subsequently ignored.

Touchy folks here, downright mistakenly clairvoyant, if you ask me. I agree with you.

timmus · #13 07-30-2010, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaco who?

Touchy folks here, downright mistakenly clairvoyant, if you ask me. I agree with you.

My need is not to be heard "over" but, in a word, "with"

Jaco who? · #14 07-30-2010, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timmus

My need is not to be heard "over" but, in a word, "with"

Exactly.

Hookus · #15 07-30-2010, 01:20 PM

Yeah, really as long as I can hear myself play and the mix sounds good, I don't really care. I personally think in a mix, a more midrangey bass tone will let you be heard with definition without being overly loud.

KingRazor · #16 07-30-2010, 01:55 PM

I'm not as concerned with hearing myself while we're playing as I am with hearing myself in the final mix

Big B. · #17 08-05-2010, 11:39 AM

I definitely agree that you should not stand out in the mix unless you are playing solos. I think part of the problem we face is that drums are usually mixed first and there seems to be an arms race among some soundmen to make every single sound the drummer makes like a 747 taking off. Unfortunately for bassists, kick drums, floor toms and cymbals often take up many of the frequencies that make the bass fit well in a mix.
Without the attack that drums have you dont stand a chance.