Recording distorted bass?

**Josh Ryan** · #1 03-02-2002, 11:43 AM

I am trying to record a Conmklin GT-7 through a Big Muff pi into a mixer to an audiophile card to Nuendo. It sounds OK through the headphones, but not once it's tracked. Is this a situation where I need to mic an amp? Please share your methods. Thanks.

JMX · #2 03-03-2002, 09:08 PM

I use the same setup (minus the Conklin

and the Big Muff), but I'm not sure yet, why it sounds different - maybe because of the headphones?

I haven't recorded distorted bass yet, but I just got Warp VST, which is an amazing guitar amp emulator.

http://www.steinberg.net/products/ae...l?sid=05963338

ihixulu · #3 03-03-2002, 09:57 PM

Quote:

It sounds OK through the headphones, but not once it's tracked.

Can you be more specific about how its not ok? Does the bass seem to disappear? The tone sux? Fuzz bass is tricky because the frequencies are all over the place. But you don't necessarily have to mic an amp.

**Josh Ryan** · #4 03-03-2002, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ihixulu

Can you be more specific about how its not ok? Does the bass seem to disappear? The tone sux? Fuzz bass is tricky because the frequencies are all over the place. But you don't necessarily have to mic an amp.

through the phones at first it sounds huge, like there is a lot of air being moved. After, it sounds a bit lifeless, almost compressed. I have to play with the EQ to bring it back towards it's former giantness. Usually the 80-250 ranges gets a +2 boost and the 1000 gets a +1 shelf and it's closer.

JMX · #5 03-04-2002, 07:15 AM

One reason might be the pan law used for mixing, at least it's one of the reasons why people say that the mix in Cubase doesn't sound as good as the final mixdown or the mix in other programs.
The default in Cubase is -6dB, in Nuendo -3dB. Logic's default is 0 dB.

This can make the mix quieter (and thus "worse-sounding").
Change the pan law to 0 dB and see if this helps.

File ->program settings -> VST -> Stereo pan mode

change it from -3 dB to 0 dB.

**Josh Ryan** · #6 03-04-2002, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JMX
One reason might be the pan law used for mixing, at least it's one of the reasons why people say that the mix in Cubase doesn't sound as good as the final mixdown or the mix in other programs.
The default in Cubase is -6dB, in Nuendo -3dB. Logic's default is 0 dB.

This can make the mix quieter (and thus "worse-sounding").
Change the pan law to 0 dB and see if this helps.

File ->program settings -> VST -> Stereo pan mode

change it from -3 dB to 0 dB.

Thanks JMX I'll try it when I get home!

arvidgunardi · #7 03-09-2002, 09:24 AM

When you are monitoring your bass through your headphones, it could be you are monitoring before tape(or computer).

The ideal way to do monitoring when recording is to monitor it after tape(computer). That way you are listening to what it would sound like through the A/D converter, the preamp or the input to your computer. By doing that you can make sure the signal is not cliping (analog or digital).

However, you have to use a fast computer for you to be able to do that in real time. If not, there could be a lag.