| it depends (on the setting, music style (=loudness).
in a nutshell, if you play a small gig with an amp, you donīt have too much choice, a mic is very dangerous because of feedback (there are exceptions though, do a search for the thread about dynamic mic + pickup combo, also the thread calles "Brain dump on future small rigs" ).
if you play a large gig with a PA, you can send the mic signal to the desk, but it is still a problem with monitoring.
I use the AKG C411. It is a condenser contact microphone, that I put on the top of the bass and gives my quite a natural sound (some mids are still funky) - but I got tired of it, because while at home it sounds great, on the stage with the drummer itīs difficult because I end up amplifying his bass drum.
after a year or two without a pickup I am again looking for a pickup...
recording in a studio is another thing - Iīd never record my bass with the pickup only - a good mic is the standard (the pickup signal can help sometimes to cut through if the music is busy).
EDIT - you asked for specific mics: I use the Neumann KM184 condenser for big stages, and I mount it between the bridge legs with foam, capsule showing to the fingerboard. IMO this gives gets me the closest to the sound I hear of the bass when I play unamplified alone.
others might recommend a large diaphragm mic on a stand about 1m away - again, it depends. for a solo piece this might be the best solution, but on a stage itīs not possible because of the other instruments. except you play with a string quartet -neverending story...
Last edited by vier-personen : 03-08-2007 at 06:13 PM.
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