Recording bass unnescessary chains?

twangman · #1 02-26-2011, 11:28 AM

So I was taking a shower earlier and i was wondering would it make a difference if you went from your bass straight to the board rather than hooking up a head, etc? I mean in my case, I'm using the mb200 which is very basic, treble, hi-mid, low-mid, bass. I'm wondering if I can dial it up on the mixer and get the same sound, plugging in directly. Or does each bass head offer it's own signature sound ?

Cohacq · #2 02-26-2011, 11:31 AM

To a degree they do, but i can probably get something that sounds very much alike with a lot of tweaking.

**butchblack** · #3 02-26-2011, 01:14 PM

If you go direct you should use a DI to ensure enough gain.

Mushroo · #4 02-26-2011, 01:25 PM

I have never used an amp in the studio. Every engineer I've worked with prefers the sound of my bass plugged into a good DI (and I would tend to agree with the results).

Most bass amp heads are engineered to sound good through a bass speaker cabinet in a live performance.

lowfreq33 · #5 02-26-2011, 01:42 PM

I generally go straight from my pedalboard to the console. I have kind of a lot of stuff on my board though.

Distant Cousin · #6 02-26-2011, 01:55 PM

Every time I've recorded I've either gone into a DI, or from the amp into a DI. Standard practice I suppose! Easier to get the sounds you want I find when I'm recording at home too.

Bassbat · #7 02-26-2011, 02:12 PM

I usually record with a mic pointed at the speaker. the guitarist in my band suggested it and I was surprized how well it came out