Fitting into the mix

[drden]

If I put this in the wrong section, I apologize.

I was just wondering some EQing things i can do to fit into a mix better. Just to sort of fulfill my role as the bass player. I know that the bass is more of a midrange oriented instrument, and I should sonically cover a certain space in the mix. I should provide a big bottom end for the rest of the band to lay other melodies and harmonies on top of, and drive the song with my decision of notes. Just wanted some tips on where I should belong sonically, and how a lot of you guys get there.

thanks a bunch

[MalcolmAmos]

Well, I think hitting the (correct) chord changes as they happen and having the (correct) baseline for the song being played will accomplish what you outlined.

Both of those things can/will keep us busy for the rest of our lives. How do we do that - practice and playing with others will tell us what we need to spend your time on.......

[Arpeggiator]

it depends how you want to sit, do you want to cut through? or just bob along quite happily? i tends to like cutting through so i take a smidge of the bass boot the treble to add definition yo my notes (i play fingerstyle) and boost the mid a tad to get a nice growl.

[drden]

yeah I was mostly seeing if their was a particular frequency in the midrange or bass i should be worried about. I tend to avoid just boosting treble to cut through, all it really does for me is allows people to hear the clanky trebly part of my bass, which is not what I'm going for. The solidity and warmth of the bass should be coming through.

[4001]

125-250?

[drden]

so more of a low mid thang?

[lorenk]

low mids will definately give you some authority, I usually boost 250. You can also boost 600-700 for a bit more definition, though this frequency is more high end definition.

[drden]

okay, thanks all. Just have to sort of try different stuff out when I'm playing with a band again.

[mambo4]

As you probably have found, boosting the bass generally leads to mud.
boosting The low mids (250-500hz) will give you a fat, bassy, articulate fundamental.
boosting the upper mids ( 500-1Khz) can add a lot of cut and clarity to the higher partials.
Round wounds help here...

A good simulation of the difference: pluck G on the E string , 15th fret , you get a big fundamental and less overtones ,that's the type of sound boosting low mids can yield. Now pluck the open G string. You get a full set of fundamental and overtones, that's the kind of sound boosting the upper mids will push you towards.

Another thing to consider: most engineers prefer to "slot" instruments in the mix. Rather than boost EQs at certain frequencies(which can color the sound), They cut other instruments at those same frequencies to create a "slot" in the EQ spectrum for them. In practice this means convincing other band members to EQ themselves for the overall sound of the band rather than what sounds good solo.

[Stumbo]

Be sure an go FOH at your gigs during sound check with a wireless or long cord to hear how you " really " sound. Stage tone isn't what always reaches the audience.

[drden]

thanks for the post mambo, it was helpful : )

and I have played with some stingy guitarists : P and a guitarist with a valve junior, not much control over EQ there..

thanks everybody this thread has been helpful.

[standupright]

as far as eq'ing goes i really think it just depends on the style of music you are playing and the type of sound you are looking for. generally, i flat the eq on the amp and control the tone mostly from the bass. sometimes a little eq boost with the low and low mid. but not much. i like a good amount of neck pick up and about half mast with the bridge. if i need more definition, i play closer to the bridge. then again, this is for mostly blues, r&b, jazz, groove funk oriented stuff.