Wierd Problem

Joe Garage · #1 04-30-2007, 08:53 AM

I play both guitar and bass ,and last night when I was recording a demo tape I noticed something really odd. I layed down the guitar tracks in a few takes, and they sounded really tight. But I noticed that when I recorded the bass, I was a little bit behind the beat almost the whole time. I could even see on the wave file that I was constantly behind the beat.I had to do 70 takes on the bass to get it to sound really tight. How can I have reasonable good timing with the guitar, but not with the bass?
The guitar is not even my main instrument.

middy · #2 04-30-2007, 08:59 AM

I have the same problem going from guitar to bass... it's just a different feel, I guess. Were you playing fingerstyle bass?

Playing "behind the beat" is actually desirable for some styles... but it's pretty weird to find out you're doing it without realizing it.

Were you playing with a drum machine?

slappywag · #3 04-30-2007, 09:13 AM

If youre using a new music program involving a PC make sure you have the right sound drivers. try laying two guitar tracks at the same time and see if there is still lag.

meev991 · #4 04-30-2007, 09:24 AM

I've had similar problems to, i think many bass players, when laying down tracks, seem to fall (just a hair) behind the beat. I mean, it happens, and its normal

Good learning experience though!

Now I know what to expect the next time I record myself.

Joe Garage · #5 04-30-2007, 09:49 AM

Hey Middy!

Yes I used a pre-recorded drum groove from the Ezdrummer that was kinda funky, and I played fingerstyle.
I tried once to play the bass line just along to the metronome, and it went fine, but I couldn’t get it right with the drumbeat.

It’s a huge relief to hear that I’m not the only one that has this problem. I hardly practice on the guitar, but it just seems that things come much more naturally to me then when I play it. I guess I need to work more with drummachines, drummers and not just the metronome.

Joe Garage · #6 04-30-2007, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slappywag

If youre using a new music program involving a PC make sure you have the right sound drivers. try laying two guitar tracks at the same time and see if there is still lag.

Yeah I thought about latency, so I may rerecord some guitar tracks just to be sure, but im afraid that it’s my bass skills that are the problem.

meev991 · #7 04-30-2007, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Garage

I need to work more with drummachines, drummers and not just the metronome.

The opposite is true for me, I always practice with a drum beat, but never with just a plain old metronome

Just the other day, I bought a combo Metronome/Tuner...

Not that I need it that much, because I have several metronomes on my computer, but it looked nice, I just had to have it

middy · #8 04-30-2007, 10:07 AM

Now that I think about it, it's probably due to the way one's ear -> brain -> fingers perceive and respond to lower notes. It's just something to keep in mind until I find the feel. I think bass is harder than guitar because your timing has to perfect or you sound like ass...

I've been jamming with a decent drummer, and he didn't mention anything about me lagging. I'm going to bring a jam box to record us next time.

DocBop · #9 04-30-2007, 10:50 AM

It's better today than back in the past with heavy strings and amps with 15" speakers. The bass is a big wide frequecy and had to play on top of the beat to be on the beat. Today gear responds much faster so not as much of an issue.

KayCee · #10 04-30-2007, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Garage

Yeah I thought about latency, so I may rerecord some guitar tracks just to be sure, but im afraid that it’s my bass skills that are the problem.

If latency is the problem, you will drive yourself crazy trying to lock in the time. Make sure you've eliminated that possibility before making other adjustments.

If your bass playing is actually "behind" the guitar (and make sure the guitar isn't rushing!), I'd suggest you try lowering your strings. That might make the millisecond(s) of difference you're looking for.

62Walnut · #11 04-30-2007, 12:09 PM

Alternatively, you could try laying down the bass first, if that's not against the 'the logic laws' and seeing if you're still behind, or in front.

Walnut

Joe Garage · #12 05-03-2007, 09:07 AM

Thanks guys!!!!

For some reason it worked it out much better today!
Its possible I just had a really bad day the last time I tried it. Im so happy that this didn’t happen when I was in an expensive recording studio with my band.

meev991 · #13 05-03-2007, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Garage

Thanks guys!!!!

For some reason it worked it out much better today!
Its possible I just had a really bad day the last time I tried it. Im so happy that this didn’t happen when I was in an expensive recording studio with my band.

It happens to pretty much everyone

after you encounter it, you know what to do for next time. I just wished that someone would've told me this sooner, hahahah, I've had so many home-recording sessions go to waste because I couldn't figure out if I was having a bad day or it's just because bass is tricky to record.