Advice on Microphone for Bass Recording

[icarus-falling]

hi,
The band I have just started playing have been recording their rehearsal sessions. Problem is the current set up doesn't pick up bass very well so I offered to mic my cab and send over the recordings to the lead guitarist who does the mixing.

I've not done recording before so I was looking for advice on what to look for in a mic for bass, this is not a request for the best mic, I've read those threads and the suggestions are more than I want to spend, I just need something that will do a passable job.

Shure and Sound and Sound both have some useful information on recording bass but I wanted to get the advice of my fellow TBer's as lots of new terms for me; freq response, max SPL, flat vs tailored, polar patterns etc.

I def want a dynamic mic which I will place right in front of the cab. I think I want flat so that the shaping comes from the amp/cab so the recording is close to how it was and obviously I don't want to lose the low ends which rules out the SM57 with it's roll off at the low end. But what about SPL and freq range; does a 4 string bass guitar in eb or drop d tuning go below 50hz?

Also Any recommendations for low priced mics would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[frnjplayer]

Low E on a 4 string is 42 Hz. Detuning will be lower.

 

[ArtechnikA]

...send over the recordings to the lead guitarist who does the mixing.
...shaping comes from the amp/cab so the recording is close to how it was...

If you're post-processing and mixing the signal in a DAW anyway the best tool for the job may well be a DI, not a mike...
There's a zillion amp/cab modeler plug-ins for DAWs to get what you what you want which may not be what you actually have.
Or use something like a "SansAmp" (I use the term generically) if you feel the need to build a sound live rather than post-process from the fullrange track.
And no issues with ambient noise.
There are *really good* DI's that are pricey, but from what I've seen, you can get a merely 'really good' DI for much less than a barely adequate mike.

But if you're determined to use a mike - by all means...

 

[icarus-falling]

I went for a mic in the end. Amazon have some really good deals for AKG stuff at the moment so I got a pretty good bass specific mic for less than £40. My GK amp has a DI output but read mixed things about using those on their own. With both I can also try blending the signals or using one or the other seeing what works.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Always try the DI. I've gotten very good sound with nothing more than the DI from my Carvin BX-500 - people can't believe that is all I used.

 

[BlushResponse]

Use the DI AND a mic.

 

[kbr]

If you're mixing mic and DI, be careful of phase. I had a recording where they asked for both. It sounded fantastic when I recorded it on my setup. They didn't align the waveforms correctly at mix down and it sounded hollow and thin on the final recording.

 

[ofajen]

If you want flat even in the low end, a true condenser omni would be the first choice. A cheap measurement mike would be good to try. Condenser omnis are high-tuned and very well behaved in the low end, even the ones using the cheap $4 Panasonic capsules.

Most dynamic mikes are mid-tuned cardioids and are not flat nor do they do the low end accurately.

Ribbon mikes are dynamic and some are pretty flat across most of the spectrum but they are low-tuned so that is the area where they may be less accurate. However they are usually not happy close up to a bass amp. Could damage the diaphragm.

Of course, accuracy isn't always the thing you actually want for recording.

Otto

 

[jg42]

Traditionally - big diaphragm dynamics like AKG D12. I use Heil PR40.
Having said that, I always print mike AND DI. Just in case.
You never know what producers want, so having a choice always helps!

 

[ofajen]

Traditionally - big diaphragm dynamics like AKG D12. I use Heil PR40.

These are not particularly accurate mikes, but they work well on bass cabs and bass drum.

Otto

 

[ofajen]

IIRC, the last time I miked my bass cab, I used a Beyerdynamic M130 (small figure-8 ribbon) and it worked great. I kept it about two feet out from the cab.

Otto

 

[And I]

what style of music? what would you say is "your sound"?

 

[BrianVengeance]

If you can handle $2-300 then I'd say to look at an EV RE20, Sennheiser MD421, or Heil PR40. Would also put a Shure Beta 52 on the list if you're set on a mic.

For the same money you could get a good sounding DI as well - don't overlook this as an option!

 

[bluejayway82]

There was a cool ep of Pensado's Place where Tchad Blake mentioned that he (almost) always dumps the mic signal, and just uses the di signal when mixing bass.. then uses Sanssmp.. on everything.. but yeah.. interesting.. I found when I was a bit younger that I got great sounds just going straight into a dbx 1066 and then into the desk..
For me, mics have had a cool colour to mix in, but I find direct signals seem more useable.. that's me though.. and who the f%$k am I ?! ha