What do you bring to record in a studio?

Whaaaapsh · #1 04-13-2007, 02:03 AM

I just saw the thread in the Basses section about the "best" bass to bring to record, and thought that a more broad question could be asked.

I have a date to record a few songs coming up and I'll be bringing:

- GK MB150
- Epi Cassady and a P
- SansAmp
- Presonus Tubepre
- cords, tuner, etc

I think I've got things pretty well covered for my needs (no $800 tube DI's here unfortunately), but what do you bring to a recording session?

Do you plan for a mostly DI situation, or do you bring your rig?

Any extraneous stuff that is always in you bag that you bring to record?

JimmyM · #2 04-13-2007, 04:48 AM

I gave up on amp mic'ing. DI just sounds better to me unless it's with distortion.

Steve · #3 04-13-2007, 06:24 AM

For tracking, I bring a strap, bayou audio cable and a Sadowsky. If I feel the need for anything else (which is almost never) I do it in a post production loop.

Baird6869 · #4 04-13-2007, 06:32 AM

Fender Jazz, MM SUB4 and a cable.

The sound guys know wwwaaayyyyy more about sound than I do.

bradjonesbass · #5 04-13-2007, 06:37 AM

I bring my Grand Prix, my bass (record passive), and my cables. I always bring all my pedals, just in case, and if I hear something that might sound cool, I suggest it. Some stuff sounds better put on in mixdown, but some effects just need to be played live - especially any filter effects that can change the feel of the bass track, not just the sound.

Even if I don't end up using any of the extras, I'm prepared in case. A lot of times I end up using the studios DI (everybody has a sansamp now), but a lot of times they like the sound of my pre. Get there early so you can try things out. Most of the studios I work with know me well enough that I don't have to be too early anymore, but it's always good to be a little early anyway.

marcray · #6 04-13-2007, 06:37 AM

fretted P bass, fretless G&L bass, I leave my daughters $100 epi EBO in the trunk (just incase woof is all that's needed) and my $10 Hartke tuner. Most recordings are into a mac these days anyway and usually they have some kind of semi decent amp simulator in there... I'd go with that.

getz76 · #7 04-13-2007, 07:17 AM

I use to bring a bunch of stuff. Now I am like Bikertrash, except I bring a Mike Lull instead of a Sadowsky.

The last three albums that I brought a bunch of gear, I still ended up going through a Countryman Type 85 DI.

Humblerumble · #8 04-13-2007, 07:26 AM

I have only been in the studio to record demos, so I am not a pro by any means. That said the first time I took my Spector Euro 5 and went direct. This time I brought my Spector, My Cirrus 5 and my p-bass so I could hear all three on the demo and I used my Walkabout Scout combo miked and direct. After that experience I probably would not bother with the amp next time, and would probably not take three basses probably one maybe two.

scotch · #9 04-13-2007, 07:40 AM

Probably the most important piece of gear (for me):
Pencil & Paper!!!!

For most sessions I always bring:
P-Bass
Cables
Aguilar DI
Tuner
Spare strings (never needed them, but if I did....)

If I know the musical "context" I'll bring additional instruments & other goodies like pedals, Line 6 POD, and sometimes my Mesa Buster combo if it's a full album project where there's time for 2 bass inputs.

It amazes me how resistant engineers are to a bass amp these days. Ultimately the clean DI is king, but it would be nice to see more flexibility & time given to bass & drums! Everybody wants to save money & get their music out fast. Then they wonder why it takes an extra day to mix the stuff.....

Sorry for the rant; as long as the check clears, I'm happy!

Nedmundo · #10 04-13-2007, 07:46 AM

For my band's EP, I did bring my rig because our guitarist/engineer wanted to mic my G-K Neo 112 for a phat low end. So I had that, my G-K 700RB-II, an Aphex Punch Factory compressor, and Boss overdrive. We used the DI on the Punch Factory and miked the cab. For one track we placed the overdrive in the head/cab chain so we could blend clean DI with overdriven cab. It worked pretty well.

I used a P-bass and DiPinto Belvedere with flats, and a J with rounds.

In the past I've gone solely direct using the Punch Factory for slight compression, with excellent results.

enderwaves · #11 04-13-2007, 08:01 AM

the last 3 studios i've been in have all been obsessed with using the BassPod, but the last time i took a Sansamp and that made the engineer even more happy. i took that, cables, and my jazz and p. for some reason my p wouldn't show up in the mix at all (even though it sounds fine through and amp) but i don't normally use it anyway. the most important thing you can do before you go is CHECK YOUR INTONATION! every engineer i've worked with were shocked that my bass was in tune, because apparently most folks show up with guitars and everything way out of whack. also, bring a deck of cards and travel scrabble or dominoes or something. you'll thank me for it later.

scotch · #12 04-13-2007, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enderwaves

the last 3 studios i've been in have all been obsessed with using the BassPod, but the last time i took a Sansamp and that made the engineer even more happy. i took that, cables, and my jazz and p. for some reason my p wouldn't show up in the mix at all (even though it sounds fine through and amp) but i don't normally use it anyway. the most important thing you can do before you go is CHECK YOUR INTONATION! every engineer i've worked with were shocked that my bass was in tune, because apparently most folks show up with guitars and everything way out of whack. also, bring a deck of cards and travel scrabble or dominoes or something. you'll thank me for it later.

+1 on intonation. It can really set you away from the pack if
you can nail the simple stuff:
-be early
-make sure your gear is in shape
-keep a positive attitude (fake it if you have to, I do)
-try to be interested in the music & people you're working with
-don't "noodle" during every break

disco666 · #13 04-13-2007, 08:33 AM

Any passive bass I can find
Line 6 Bass Pod Pro (DI and Re-amping)
8x10 Ampeg (only if requested)
Cigarettes!!

Never been found of the little peanut Pod, but the rack mount stuff is the SH!znit!

God of Rapture · #14 04-13-2007, 08:40 AM

My band owns our own recording studio.

All my stuff is there all the time.

svtb15 · #15 04-13-2007, 08:46 AM

pen - paper
sharpie
tuner
shorter high quality 10' cables
P-bass
J- bass style 5 string
MM bass
Fretless
Bass Pod XT pro
extra strings
extra cable
extra 9v battery
bass adjustment tools
Demeter tube di.

Lunch money just in case producer isnt buying.
Dont forget to turn off your cell phone!

They usually have a better DI than I do, but I have brought my UA610 but just got a REDDI DI as a replacement tube DI..
I have used my Thunderfunk DI out with very ,very good results...

when in doubt .. slide................ only kidding

**j-raj** · #16 04-13-2007, 10:49 AM

+

theshadow2001 · #17 04-13-2007, 10:54 AM

A musicman sterling

i_got_a_mohawk · #18 04-13-2007, 07:09 PM

HH Stingray
BDDI
M-Audio Tampa

Working on some recordings at home right now, going to DI clean and dirty, aswell as recording a Mic'd output of my SVT-II into my 2x15.

Warr Tapper · #19 04-13-2007, 07:38 PM

Bass Pod XT pro and patience!

MiniMic · #20 04-13-2007, 08:40 PM

I just finished four days in a studio with my Modulus Flea 4, a GK 150MBS(if it's good enough for Lee Sklar), good enough for me
I dumped all the treble(on the bass) and DI'd and mic'd with Shure 52 mic. Did 11 tracks a good time was had by all !!!

Could have brought a SanAmp BassDriver or my Aguilar DB-680.
but why?, it all washes out in post-production let the computer handle it, I say!

IMHO:"GIVE 'EM THE THUMP", & LET THE ENGINEER DO THE REST.