Volume difference when switching from finger picking to slapping

martyneilan · #1 01-11-2008, 09:09 AM

First post!

After being away from e-bass for awhile (gigging only tuba and bass trombone), I have decided to get serious about it again. The biggest issue I am running into is a noticeable volume difference when switching back and forth between finger picking and slapping/popping. If I am just going to do one or the other, I can setup the volume, pickup balance, and tone controls (B,M,T) on my active bass to even things out between songs. However, switching between both in the same song seems to have a much greater contrast in volume than I would like.
Any ideas for this late-30's comeback kid?
Thanks!

BuffaloBass · #2 01-12-2008, 05:31 AM

I hear ya, on the volume and comeback ( sold all my gear back in college 1985!!!).

I do use slap on a few of our original ROCK AND ROLL songs. On those tunes, I use a VERY light finger style so that the vloume differences arent that severe. Just dumped my active bass, so now its ALL in the fingers. My slap technique is good and loud.

The newest song, I;m using a double thumbing technique for a syncopated tremolo ( locked on to the toms) effect during the guitar lead, and thats a pretty quiet technique ( but not so much with drums), again, I have to compensate the rest of the song.

Assume you mean that the slap lines are quieter than the fingered lines?

I susbsribed here, this is only one amatuer players solution, and I hope to see others.

Jumbotron · #3 01-12-2008, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuffaloBass

Assume you mean that the slap lines are quieter than the fingered lines?

I'd guess that the OP's problem is the more common reverse--slapping has a harder attack. Technique will help--you play fingerstyle a lot and the volume of it will come up. But what will also help is judicious use of compression and limiting. That'll even out your sound right nice.

**Pacman** · #4 01-12-2008, 07:47 AM

One thing I think would help is taking the time to realize that you don't need to clobber the strings into submission when you play slap. I remember having an epiphany while watching John B. Williams on TV one night, and while he was slapping, you could barely see his hand moving. He was just easily slapping the strings, and it sounded great. Once I took the time to see how lightly I could slap, it cleared it all up for me.

martyneilan · #5 01-12-2008, 12:48 PM

Jumbotron is correct in that the slap bass is coming out much louder than the fingered. I can see how you can slap more gently with your right thumb, but what about the popping? Doesn't there have to be at least a certain amount of pull to get the string to pop back on the fingerboard? How would you reduce the volume on this (sans compressor)? (Admitting my technique probably needs more practice)

iamlowsound · #6 01-12-2008, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martyneilan

Jumbotron is correct in that the slap bass is coming out much louder than the fingered. I can see how you can slap more gently with your right thumb, but what about the popping? Doesn't there have to be at least a certain amount of pull to get the string to pop back on the fingerboard? How would you reduce the volume on this (sans compressor)? (Admitting my technique probably needs more practice)

Just do it really lightly, you don't need to yank on it. Also, low action will help out a lot.

lowsound

**Pacman** · #7 01-12-2008, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamlowsound

Just do it really lightly, you don't need to yank on it. Also, low action will help out a lot.

lowsound

Exactly. I don't use a compressor, and never have. I try to avoid relying on equipment to do what technique should.

BuffaloBass · #8 01-26-2008, 01:21 PM

No way, I must have my action down at "Marcus", and quite the opposite happens. In fact, alst night gigging, I bumped the vol a bit on the songs where I do from finger to slap. Real light touch on the finger, so the slap made it through the mix. Adn I need to drop my action another hair.

OtterOnBass · #9 01-27-2008, 10:31 AM

I just turn my knob down (15%?) and judge from the change in my monitor. I don't use low action, so my slapping is a lot louder.

chaosMK · #10 01-27-2008, 03:47 PM

I think a little practice and a few equipment considerations should get you straightened out.

When I had my first super cheap bass ($80 from some kid, probably worth like $40), it was set up/sounded so bad and the strings were probably so old/cheap that you could barely slap on it. I didnt really advance my slapping much until I got a decent mid-range bass. When I did get a better bass, my technique was still horrible but it was easier.

Compression might help a little. I use it now so that I can have an aggressive cut-through fingerstyle tone and keep the highs moderated/nicely saturated when I slap.

I also use an outboard Sansamp BDDI for my slap tone. If I want the warme midrangey tone dialed in on my head, I switch it off.