bass recording.

MarkyMark · #1 03-19-2006, 01:24 PM

I have a B100R and my question is this:
Am I better off using the output on the amp and running it to the mixer or should I mic the amp or should I run the bass straight to the mixer??? I want to keep the warm tone of the Ampeg.

Thank you!

amper · #2 03-19-2006, 01:43 PM

Just a quick suggestion. Get a good DI box (I use a Countryman Type 85), and a good mic (see below) Run three inputs into your recorder:

1. DI box (just the plain sound of your instrument)
2. Preamp DI (sound of your pre)
3. Mic the cab (use a good mic, like a Shure Beta 52A, or the like, made for bass usage)

Mix and match the tracks as you please.

MarkyMark · #3 03-19-2006, 06:14 PM

well, I have a pedal that I use to help the bass out (bass sounds like complete crap) and it can be a DI.

It's a Hartke bass pedal; I would have to look at it to tell you what model.

Eric Cameron · #4 03-20-2006, 11:40 AM

Take a track from both the DI and from a mic on the amp. Then blend the 2. You will get an amazing sound. I've done it a few times with at the colleges studio with their GK 115 and a Soundcraft DI, and it sounded GREAT.

Rock on
Eric

bannedwit · #5 03-20-2006, 02:38 PM

read up on signal to noise ratio as well... People tend to crank the gain first so it is at like 1 to 2 o'clock or more and then adjust the master from there for more of a "signal to noise ratio" esp. with tube amps.

I am recording this week and was planning on using a mic and DI only. I am going to try the 3 technique and record like the second poster mentioned.

tZer · #6 03-20-2006, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amper

Just a quick suggestion. Get a good DI box (I use a Countryman Type 85), and a good mic (see below) Run three inputs into your recorder:

1. DI box (just the plain sound of your instrument)
2. Preamp DI (sound of your pre)
3. Mic the cab (use a good mic, like a Shure Beta 52A, or the like, made for bass usage)

Mix and match the tracks as you please.

+1 - Did this when we recorded an ep years ago and I loved the versatitlity it provided in the mix-down! You could say, "Gimme more of that cabinet sound" or "I love how tight that DI sound is! Let's run with that!". so depending on the song, there was a variety of sounds that could be tried without a bunch of post-production production going on.

dave64o · #7 03-21-2006, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tZer

+1 - ..... there was a variety of sounds that could be tried without a bunch of post-production production going on.

+1 again.

In the limited recording I've done at home I've found I'm happier with the results if I get close to the tone I want on the raw tracks rather than "fix in the mix" later. Recording multiple tracks simlultaneously as several suggested is a great way to do that since you have so many options to work with.

There may be times when you specifically want a processed sound, but if you're looking for natural sounding bass this is a good way to get it.