best mic to go with my BassMax?

BassGreaser · #1 02-09-2007, 10:52 PM

I am currently using my bassmax with out a preamp with a 5 piece all acoustic irish/country band with no drummer, or amps. I'm looking at adding a mic. What do you guys suggest?

bolo · #2 02-10-2007, 01:38 AM

This thread is full of ideas.

Doesn't mention the Golden Bullet or Golden Trinity, at least if so not much. That's how I started out.

I still have my Bass Max/Golden Trinity unit w/ the stereo preamp/blender if you're interested. I was planning to put it up for sale on this site soon. Just PM me if you like.

You said no amps, so will you just be using a small PA or something? Er, what does the Bass Max feed into?

How would you feel about a mic on a stand vs. mounted on your bass?

BassGreaser · #3 02-10-2007, 09:10 AM

99% of our shows have a full PA. Right now my bassmax feeds right into a DI and then the sound board to the PA. I'm liking the mount on mic idea better than a stand so I move around alittle with out screwing up my sound.

fingers · #4 02-10-2007, 09:46 AM

How much do you want to spend?

BassGreaser · #5 02-10-2007, 09:49 AM

not over $300

fingers · #6 02-10-2007, 10:02 AM

For a a mic mounted on your bass I'd go with the K&K Golden Bullet Upgrade. That is what I have been using for 3 years now and I've always been really happy. The upgradde comes with a preamp that powers the mic but also allows you to blend the pickup and the mic. (all hail) Bob Gollihur sells it for $217. http://www.gollihur.com/kkbass/bassmic.html

Then comes mounting it. There are pictures of how I mount mine in this thread. does any know anything about mini condensor mics?

BassGreaser · #7 02-10-2007, 10:18 AM

nice.... do you have any sound samples of you using this setup?

fingers · #8 02-10-2007, 10:21 AM

All the live recording on my website. I also use that setup on the video clips on my site too.

There is an bass solo at the beginning of the video of Autumn Leaves that is probably the best representation.

BassGreaser · #9 02-10-2007, 10:24 AM

your sound in the vidoe clips are REALLY good... are you using just the mini mic, or running it with a pickup aswell?

fingers · #10 02-10-2007, 10:29 AM

Hmmm, I would say...

40% acoustic
50% mic
10% pickup

That club is pretty intimate. In those settings I try to just pull harder and let the amp support.

I find the pickup just adds a little beef to the sound. As things get louder it is handy to have both. No matter what mic you are using feedback becomes an issue as volume (monitors, drummers, etc) increases.

fingers · #11 02-10-2007, 10:37 AM

Here are some clips through a pa with loud crowd, monitors etc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuGs-CkodKs

I'd say it is 60% pickup 40% mic here.

BassGreaser · #12 02-10-2007, 10:52 AM

nice I'm really digging the reggea rocksteady feel in that song

bolo · #13 02-10-2007, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassGreaser

your sound in the vidoe clips are REALLY good... are you using just the mini mic, or running it with a pickup aswell?

I thought the same thing when I listened to the sound clips on Marc's web site. Good sound Marc.

I actually recommended to BassGreaser in a PM I sent him that he might want to check out your web site and listen to the sound clips.

I think many if not most of the mics depicted in that giant mic thread I mentioned earlier would all fall under the $300 price limit. There are some cool mic mounting ideas & pics in that thread too.

A blender like the Golden Trinity might not even be necessary if we are just talking about using a PA, as long as you can get two lines into the board, one for the p/u, and one for the mic. That would leave more money to spend on the mic itself maybe. Of course then you would be at the mercy of the person at the board for blending and balancing the two signals volume-wise and tone-wise ...

I actually bought a special purpose mic clamp for my upright (here and here), but it was pretty pricey at about $165.

fingers · #14 02-10-2007, 10:12 PM

Thanks Steve. It is nice to get the positive feedback. I have worked really hard to get a sound that I am really happy with. Your sound has a large effect on your playing IMHO.

I remember I went to see a sax player buddy play and he invited me to sit in. The bass players tone was awful and it was a long couple songs.

I think it is a matter of looking at the total package. Bass, technique, strings, pickup, mic, amp, etc. I visited every detail. I think it is just a matter of finding what works for you. It has been a very frustrating road but a very satisfying one.

I definitely still have nights where I can't get the tone I want. You just gradually learn how to combat different sound probelms that arise in different rooms.

Now if I could just play the right notes...

As far as the blender and preamp stuff. I remember reading an article once (I think written by Rufus Reid) that you need to leave as little for the soundman to do as possible. Most of them don't know how the mic and eq upright. You know your sound. You'll get the best results if you handle most of it yourself.

BassGreaser · #15 02-11-2007, 02:26 AM

well I think i'm going to go for the Golden Bullit, and have custom two channel preamp pedal made. One channel with be for the BassMax, and the other for the mic, and will have one stereo input, and one 1/4", and one XLR out puts.