Dynamics: Combining Fingerstyle, Slap and Pop

[c0d3h4x0r]

Originally Posted by Scot

You would get less level coming out of your bass and would have to add more gain at the preamp stage of your amplification system (or wherever) to get the same level playing with the same attack

Note that THIS part of your post is true -- lowering the pickup does mean less output overall, and therefore you have to boost the gain (just a hair) on the preamp. But the net effect is that your dynamic range is compressed. When the pickup is farther away from the string, then all the various ways of playing the string all generate a similarly low signal.

Compare to the opposite setup, where the pickup is nearer to the strings: playing a string very lightly and slapping the hell out of it will generate very different output signals.

[Scot]

Originally Posted by c0d3h4x0r

Actually, THAT is incorrect, and the info I originally posted is accurate.

Have you tried it?

[c0d3h4x0r]

Originally Posted by Scot

Have you tried it?

Yes, of course. I would never recommend someone else do something that I hadn't tried myself. It works exactly as I've described.

[Scot]

c0d3h4x0r,

OK, good. Just checking that it wasn't JUST your own theories you're going by.

I've tried it too. I've tried both extremes and everything in between. To my ears, there is no question that a higher pickup height (string closer to the pickup) produces a more compressed sound. I've been playing for over 30 years and I've heard many times from repairmen/setup guys, bass players and guitar players that a higher pickup height (string closer to the pickup) yields a more compressed sound. You're the first guy I've EVER heard say the opposite but, then again, I didn't know I was supposed to be using a compressor all these years to enhance the audience's experience.

Anyway, I did a quick google search and found the following in a guitar setup guide regarding the tonal and dynamic effects of different pickup heights:

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Distance from strings = Close

Tone = Loud, punchy, slightly compressed, percussive, focused, brighter

Application = Lead playing or heavy drive/distortion sounds with as little noise as possible

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Distance from strings = Further

Tone = Smoother, warmer, more character, more dynamic range, "woodier" tone, better balance

Application = Cleaner sounds with more complexity and more dynamic music styles

---------------------------------

Again, it's pretty much the opposite of what you're saying. Are you sure you aren't getting things mixed up? I'm not saying the above information definitively proves my point (although it does affirm what I and many others think) and I would be curious about looking at anything that you could point me to (other than your own opinions or theories) that backs up what you're saying.

Of course, the above guide is geared towards the guitar but it shouldn't really matter - it's still applicable. Maybe we should post this in the Setup or Pickups forum. I'd be curious to hear others weigh in on it.