Sansamp or Rig/Mic?

Mutant Corn · #1 06-19-2008, 02:25 AM

My band recently talked to someone about doing some recording, and the guy seemed to want me to use a SansAmp DI instead of mic'ing my amp. I've heard that the SansAmp is fairly good at creating an Ampeg-esque sound, which I like, but it's not my sound. (I've never actually heard one being used by itself) I guess what I'm asking is if the SansAmp will be able to recreate my sound.

I found my sound on a Peavey Mark III/SWR Goliath JR rig, and my rig does a very good job at recreating that...transparent for the most part, but with a bit of low end growl in addition to what my bass has. I'm fond of the low-mids, but for the most part nothing on my eq is boosted/cut more then 3dB.

edit: He also suggested bringing just my head, which has a pretty good DI on it...but then I wouldn't get the sound from my cab. I have no idea how the DI on it sounds, but it has no cab emulation..

BobaFret · #2 06-19-2008, 10:02 AM

I think they sound really good as a DI. I use the Bass Driver DI. They also have a ParaDriver which has more midrange flexibility. So the answer depends on which one the studio has.

It's impossible for me to say it will sound like YOU but it sounds good to me.

theroan · #3 06-19-2008, 10:08 AM

Do Both!

cloren · #4 06-19-2008, 03:31 PM

I recently recorded using only a sansamp bass driver- the sound was good, but I'm a perfectionist so it wasn't as good as I had wanted. Next time I'm in the studio I'm planning on running my sansamp bass driver into my swr la 12 - mic'ing the amp and going direct at the same time. you can find articles on the stickies in this forum about how to mic an amp/cab if you're producer is at all hesitant.

FF Petro · #5 06-19-2008, 05:50 PM

The way I see it a producer is part of the band as long as they are making the album. They are unbiased because they only make one instrument louder or softer only if it sounds better in the mix.

A DI is a great way to record quickly while sounding good. If I were you, I would worry about my 'signature sound'. I'm sure the producer will take your comments into consideration but if it doesn't sound good they have plugins and such to completely change the timbre of your instrument.

The last thing to consider is that by the time the producer is finish with mixing and then the mix is sent to mastering none of the instruments sound like they did through the original cab.

Just some thoughts to consider

Nick Kay · #6 06-19-2008, 07:25 PM

I'd do three takes of each track - one mic'd up, one with a dead clean DI, and one with a Sansamp. Mix and match to taste. For all you know, you might like the Sansamp a lot and it'll become a regular part of your arsenal.

Mutant Corn · #7 06-19-2008, 07:58 PM

So the general consensus is to at least give it a try, and possibly run it parallel with the mic..? I'm thinking I might just use the DI on my amp instead if that is the case, but I'll give the thing a try

Thanks all

JimmyM · #8 06-19-2008, 08:20 PM

Never would I use a Sansamp instead of a mic in front of my rig. It is so not the same. Do both if you have the channels, but don't accept a compromise if you don't like your tone in the Sansamp.

lambro · #9 06-19-2008, 09:53 PM

there is absolutely no way I would go solo with the sans amp

a world class mic pre yes, sans amp no

blend or go with miced cab only or tell Mr Producer dude to get you a neve api mci helios etc

Mutant Corn · #10 06-19-2008, 11:01 PM

I just realized I botched the link to my rig...it's a Carvin BX600/BR410. Sorry about that.

Well, after reading these last two posts, I'm thinking if anything I'm going to use the DI on my head instead of the sansamp if he really wants to DI...but I'm going to insist on bringing my cab first. I think the problem may be that he's used to dealing with country/blues bassists, and I'm a rock bassist that listens to Dream Theater.

22pauld22 · #11 06-21-2008, 04:55 AM

I have never really heard of only going DI on anything other than a quick demo (quick not a real pass out to venues demo) I like the sansamp bass driver .. the sansamp para sounds like it will be more of you though alot more modern sound options .. you should try them both first I'm sure there will be enough tracks for you to put them both down parallel .. producers can have some unusual ideas ... I remember putting down a fretless track and this guy kept pulling the mids on me and trying to make it sound like mark king ehhehe

fenderthrupeave · #12 06-22-2008, 03:54 PM

I run a clean DI, beringer BDI21(sansamp knock off) and micd cab. And when my guitarist who does are recordings gets another pre amp and Im going to run a DI from my SVT III.

JohnDavisNYC · #13 06-22-2008, 07:55 PM

Avalon U5...

kalle74 · #14 06-23-2008, 11:47 AM

insist on both. if somebody is concerned about track count (is anybody really? I thought the birth of DAW`s has changed that...), re-amp when mixing...

DI doesn´t catch the "air"-part of the sound, and sometimes makes the bass "separate" from the rest of the band... DI´s are more accurate, but don´t get the sound.

pasta4lnch · #15 06-24-2008, 09:10 AM

nothing beats a good DI for recording (the sans amp as just a DI wouldn't be my first choice), but also nothing beats an amp w/ a good mic in front of it ("air" was mentioned). and quite frankly either alone is just "ok" and will get the job done, but both blended is much better!

personally I like my DI signal clean (by that I mean no dist or effects, not characterless though) and I get funky w/ the amp signal.

even if I want to use a funky effect I'll run the bass through a mult and get the dry signal and the effected one separate to blend. . .

ymmv

joelc1319 · #16 06-24-2008, 12:51 PM

I agree with all posts. However, it's very common practice (I work in a studio) to just get a straight DI, then later on re-amp that signal through a great sounding rig. It saves the engineer from having to isolate yet another rig (because usually the guitar rigs are islated).

However, I wouldn't even use the SansAmp for recording at all. I have one and when I reocord I only use it as a DI (meaning completely bypassed). As a DI, it's just an active DI, so you can use that and then re-amp later.

TheJohnG · #17 06-24-2008, 04:43 PM

NO! Don't forget who's who here. It is much easier for the engineer to use a DI, there is less work involved. Since you are paying the studio to record your music you get to do it your way.

I would suggest a clean DI, a close mic, and a distant (10 -15ft) mic. It takes three tracks to do this but in my opinion it's well worth it. This was first done for me by a very well respected engineer, now it's the only way. It sure does mix nicely, and you can re-amp, if needed.

stranger0 · #18 06-24-2008, 05:45 PM

If you're recording...do both

hard and sad fact, what you record will not sound like you, that's something I had to remind myself of recently, that mic or DI will only pick up what it can pick up, it will not pick up what the human ear (yours or someone else) will hear.

Do both, heck, I love the idea of 3 mic's, even more fun, record yourself in stereo

monkeyland · #19 07-05-2008, 06:30 AM

the last time i recorded bass here at the house i miced my bassists(i play guitar in my current band) 810 with two mics and ran a DI off of the head also.

I used a Large Diaphragm Condenser(AT-4050) and a Large Diaphragm Dynamic (PV 520tn) the combination of the three tracks sounds pretty good and gives me options for the sound that i want on certain tracks. i can mix and match as i please and use the tracks as a way to EQ sort of. i can still apply EQ to the combination of the three if i want but i can get pretty much all the way there just by varying the mix of the three tracks.

I actually ended up leaving out the condenser for most of the session and i'm going to add it in for times when there is less going on in the mix and i need a little more detail on the bass.

kyral210 · #20 07-05-2008, 06:22 PM

LINE 6 BASS POD XT

I recently got one, and it has changed my recording for the better forever! I used to use a Sansamp, but the Bass Pod has blown me away! I have yet to fully utilise all its features to make 'my sound', but the flexibility is out of this world!

Hear my basic demos with the Bass Pod at www.myspace.com/cryogenicamusic