Problems with recording direct into my DAW...newbie question

empirepd · #1 10-01-2007, 04:25 PM

Hello all,

I am a newbie here and looking for some help. I have a lot of experience recording on my setup with my synths and software. I have a Mac Dual 2 GHz G5 with MOTU Digital Performer as my DAW. I have previously used Guitar Rig 2 to record my Fender Strat into Performer through a MOTU 828mkII Digital Audio Interface. This has worked fine...I plug my Strat directly into one of the 828's guitar 1/4" inputs and route it to Guitar Rig 2 either stand alone or as a plug-in in Performer. Sounds good.

OK, enter the bass I just bought. I used to play ages ago and have been wanting to add live bass tracks to my recordings as I am doing a lot of rock right now. Problem...the bass sounds pretty crummy when I record it. I just bought a Warwick RockBass Corvette Basic (Guitar Center had an unbelievable price I couldn't pass up). A friend set it up for me and put new D'Addario Chromes Flat Wound strings on it....should be good, right?

So why does it sound lame in Guitar Rig bass patches? I am using the same signal flow as my Strat used. Is that the problem? Do I need to use a tube preamp or DI box on it before going into the 828? Or is it Guitar Rig problem....do I need AmpegSVX instead? Help!! Thanks.

jwl · #2 10-01-2007, 07:29 PM

the key to recording any quality tracks whatsoever into a computer is having quality outboard preamps in you daw's frontend. tubes help but are not always nessesary. there are many good digital preamps available for both gtr and bass. i use the line six stuff and i am very happy with it. for vocals however i use a avalon vt737sp with a rode ntk mic. this is a tube preamp and a tube mic with it's own power supply. i am happy with the results. ymmv.

peace, jeff

**Jim Roseberry** · #3 10-01-2007, 09:32 PM

Define what you mean by lame.

Have you checked the battery on the bass?
If you can afford a quality tube DI, it'll fatten up the signal... but you should be able to get a decent recording as long as you have a proper HiZ input... and a decent amp-sim setup.

Ampeg SVX is really nice...
Even better, use the DI out from a real amp head... and use Ampeg SVX just for the cab sim.

Jim Roseberry
www.studiocat.com
jim@studiocat.com

i_got_a_mohawk · #4 10-02-2007, 05:55 AM

Get the Ampeg SVX, and Amplitube 2 while your at it, both make Guitar Rig 2 sound like crud in comparison! (my opinion of course) , but the bass patches really do suck in GR2

empirepd · #5 10-02-2007, 07:07 AM

Good input, guys.

Yes, the battery is OK. By lame, I mean whimpy and flat sounding...nothing you would want to put on a recording.

The question is this: I am not eager to drop more money left and right (especially since I already invested in Guitar Rig). What do you suggest as the first thing to try? Buy a tube preamp or DI? If so, what brand/model do you recommend that is good, but not a fortune? I do not play live, so I have no amp setup (or bass amp head) and am not looking to buy that (don't have the room for it anyway)....I am looking strictly for recording in my home studio.

Thanks much,
Sam

Mr. Pickles · #6 10-02-2007, 07:18 AM

Sam,
You can apply a plug in compressor and equalizer in your DAW to fatten up the bass track. Don't over-do it, however. Just add maybe 3dB to the bass somewhere between 40 and 80hz for thickening. You can experiment with boosts/cuts on the midrange and treble to make the bass track cut through in the mix. Add some light compression with medium attack and fast(ish) release with 3-6 db gain reduction at maybe 6:1 ratio. Go with whatever sounds best for your ears!
Peace,
Jon

infect · #7 10-02-2007, 07:26 AM

I'd personally just record the bass direct and/or use a transparent DI.

csholtmeier · #8 10-02-2007, 07:52 AM

I'm a long-time Ampeg SVX user. I recently started using Revalver for bass tracks, and I think it sounds much better, especially for gritty bass tones. It just fits in the mix better. Revalver's guitar tones are way better too, especially for higher gain stuff.

**Jim Roseberry** · #9 10-02-2007, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by empirepd

Good input, guys.

Yes, the battery is OK. By lame, I mean whimpy and flat sounding...nothing you would want to put on a recording.

The question is this: I am not eager to drop more money left and right (especially since I already invested in Guitar Rig). What do you suggest as the first thing to try? Buy a tube preamp or DI? If so, what brand/model do you recommend that is good, but not a fortune? I do not play live, so I have no amp setup (or bass amp head) and am not looking to buy that (don't have the room for it anyway)....I am looking strictly for recording in my home studio.

Thanks much,
Sam

How old are the strings?

If you're looking for a more aggressive bass sound, you might want to checkout a SansAmp RBI. That'll give you a clean DI... and an amp-sim with some 'attitude'. ~$200 used

I wouldn't bother with low-end tube gear.
The quality tube stuff is expensive.
If you can get a deal on a used Brick, Solo 610, or Reddi Box, those are all good tube DIs.

Jim Roseberry
www.studiocat.com
jim@studiocat.com

hunta · #10 10-03-2007, 11:26 AM

Can you post a .wav sample of the "lame" bass sound? Might give us a better idea on what you need.

**T. B. Player** · #11 10-03-2007, 11:59 AM

My two cents - what kind of electronics are in your new Rockbass? "New" isn't necessarily "better." I bought a new Ibanez that SUCKED in the studio - ANY studio. The response across the strings was uneven, and the pots had to be replaced.

I bought two inexpensive Brice six stringers (one fretless and one fretted), and my first attempt at recording was bass into a Mackie mixer into a Behringer interface (see, I'm cheap) and into the computer to Vegas Video for editing. However, I replaced the electronics in both basses with Bartolini pre-amps. WORLD of difference live, and quite satisfying recording - especially the fretless. Check out my "myspace" link below for a sound sample...

Z