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Double Bass A few rig questions. . .

B

Bass Catcher

Jul 9, 2005
87
1
44
Minneapolis MN
www.myspace.com
#1
Hello -

I recently got a 2 channel Clarus and paired it with an M-Line Wizzy. I'm using spirocore weichs on my bass and using a realist pickup. I am loving the sound of this rig. The Clarus and Wizzy were exactly what I needed - thanks Bob G. and Mark. I highly recommend using them for your bass gear needs.

A couple things I'd like to tweak for my DB sound - Playing through this rig at low to moderate volumes seems to sound the best. On loud gigs I like the presence of the bass, but I seem to lose definition and clarity in my sound. I can hear myself ok, but it is rather muddy and undefined.

So - this problem is something I can live with, but I'm wondering if I can make it a little better. Would a full circle provide warmth and presence at low and high volumes? OR should I be looking at microphones to add more air and definition to my sound?

Any thoughts? Thanks guys!

Matt
 
#5
Having used both pickups, IME the full circle does much better at louder volumes as I've found it's not quite as dark as the realist. More focus, clarity and punch with the full circle. If you can try one before buying you should; either way I don't think you can go wrong with the Full circle.
 
#7
I use the hi-pass filter when I'm playing at higher volumes. It helps, but not as much as I'd like.

Sounds like the full circle might be the way to go - that's kind of what I suspected people might say.

Does the full circle sound a lot more "electronic" than the realist? I've listened to some sound samples of the full circle and "electronic" was the first word that came to mind. The thing I really like about the realist is the warmth and woodiness it provides - will I totally lose that with the full circle?

At the same time - I'm kind of sick of the warm sound of the realist. When playing at higher volumes as I've described and when playing solos where I want a lot of definition and clarity - it's kind of a drag.

So - will the full circle be a good compromise to achieve a warm, woody tone that has good definition?

Thanks!

Matt
 
#8
None of the pickups I've tried (five) sound as pleasing as a mic to me. But none of the mics I've tried (three) do the "loud" thing particularly well through an amp. Through a PA is another story. But that's probably more a function of my bass and my (lack of) technique than the mics themselves. So I blend a p/u and a mic most of the time.

The Rev Solo that I use now either seems to work really well on a given bass or not so well at all. I think I get a fair share of warmth and wood with mine. OTOH the FC does seem to work well for just about any bass. I think the FC is also probably more feedback resistant.
 
#9
Bass Catcher said:
Hello -

Playing through this rig at low to moderate volumes seems to sound the best. On loud gigs I like the presence of the bass, but I seem to lose definition and clarity in my sound. I can hear myself ok, but it is rather muddy and undefined.

So - this problem is something I can live with, but I'm wondering if I can make it a little better. Would a full circle provide warmth and presence at low and high volumes? OR should I be looking at microphones to add more air and definition to my sound?

Any thoughts? Thanks guys!

Matt
Click to expand...

Matt,
My experiences would echo everyone elses on this thread. The Realist just won't work at higher volumes. It looses the clarity and definition that it has at moderate levels. Certianly a mic that's sent exclusively to the house will get the sound to your audience's ears, but the Full Circle is probably more practical as the first step. The mic is probably the second step. The Realist does bow better than the others IMHO.

Ric
 

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