Recording Technique

[Samie]

Originally Posted by Ray Parker

...

He put a Neumann KM87 (?, not certain of the model number. He said it's also referred to as the 'lipstick'). Anyhow, tiny little mic, mebbe a 3/4" in diameter and an inch or two long. He shock mounted it with a bunch of rubber bands between the legs of the bridge, facing straight up. Sounded exactly like my bass with everything on the board flat. I'll get the exact model number of this mic when I talk to Jimmy next. I can't wait to hear the final mixdown.

Gotta have one of these for myself.

I am the happiest man alive.

I tried the mic-between-the-bridge-rubber-band-thing on a live gig and it sounded awesome. I had been using only the max bass which was ok, but the mic has added lots of detail to the sound. Amazing

I used an old audio-technica Small-diaphragm Condenser right. I used some of my wifes make-up remover pads between the bass and the mic to avoid scratches. I used about 6 rubber bands. The mic is place at a 45 degree angle facing the bass. Its kept in ist place by the rubber bands and the max-bass jack-plug. I will post some pics.

In small gigs I guess I will be using just the mic. The max-bass adds some lows and some body on the highs.

Anybody that is not complementing their live sound with a mic, might be missing something. It made me sound like a real double bass player. For the first time I felt live as confortable as I do on my living room. I was all over the babe.. and she was loving it.

Can you post a pic of how your rubber-band was set up? I have the feeling its not the same way.

[Wil Davis]

I think your question was aimed at Ray - but here's a pic of one of my set-ups anyway.

Here is another thread with a couple of pictures of the mic moved back from the bridge, closer to the tail-piece - it's much quicker to set this up (rubber bands are fiddly and take time). I've found that using the mic is the best for recording, or for low-volume gigs, or those where the mic can be put throught the PA system. For loud gigs (big band) I use the Full Circle pickup as the mic will invariably feed-back.

- Wil

[jazzbassnerd]

I have used this method four or five times to do recordings at with the director at my school. The set up has always worked very well. We used a MXL 603 for all of the recordings. I'll put a link to my director's website where you can hear some of the recordings.

http://www.lipshurt.com/Comborecordings.html

Sunny Side of the Street and Nardis both use that recording technique.
Also "trio tune" has the same technique on a different bass. (still me playing)

Under the "Music" portion of the site both "Joyspring" and "Bye Bye Blackbird" have that technique.

All of the examples are with a MXL 603 placed in between the bridge feet facing the scroll using two rubber bands and aa piece of foam in between the mic and the body of the bass.

Hope this helps someone.

[Samie]

Originally Posted by Wil Davis

I think your question was aimed at Ray - but here's a pic of one of my set-ups anyway.

Here is another thread with a couple of pictures of the mic moved back from the bridge, closer to the tail-piece - it's much quicker to set this up (rubber bands are fiddly and take time). I've found that using the mic is the best for recording, or for low-volume gigs, or those where the mic can be put throught the PA system. For loud gigs (big band) I use the Full Circle pickup as the mic will invariably feed-back.

- Wil

Interesting set up. Mine is similar except that the mic is at a 45 degree angle and actually touching the bass. My audio technica Small-diaphragm Condenser has a large round cap protector. I use a thick makeup remover pad beetwen the mic and the bass.

No feedback problems live with the amp at about 1 meter from me. The amp was on a regular height table, facing me from behind. Mixed both mic and piezzo signals to the same amp. NOt sure of the ratio. the lows were from the piezzo and the mid-highs from the mic. Pretty loud venue with no outside PA. ABM 300C next to full volume.

Rubber band setup time? I never take the mic off, its always setup on the bass. Why take it off?

(I have a clasical recital in june, so I might take it of for that, but I will put it on right after)