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Double Bass Avishai Cohen: Mixed micing/pickup

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Daniel Jan

Jun 15, 2012
6
0
#1
I'm looking at micing for live jazz performance, and Avishai Cohen has one of the best LIVE upright bass sounds I've heard (in terms of being true to the sound of the instrument).

It looks to me like it's a REALIST pickup he's using. Anyone have any idea what his mic of choice is? And how is he is mixing the signals?

Here's a live video for reference:

Thanks :)
 
#3
There's no way he's feeding the mic into the Ampeg. It would feed back horribly. Most professionals at this level are just sending the mic to front of house, and using the amp as an onstage monitor. Having heard him acoustically up close in masterclass, I have to say his gear is only a very small part of the equation. He digs in ferociously and plays with a very focused sound, even on a borrowed instrument and amp.
 
#4
Yes, really digging his sound too! I really like a clear bass sound not the old school 'muddy' sound. I think he is using a Realist at least he used to. But the Realist alone doesn't sound like Avishia's sound. My experience with the Realist is that it doesn't sound very clear like some other pickups. It's more on the darker bassy side.
So like Chicadoubler I also think the mic is fed to the FOH and the sound engineer is mixing the mic with the Realist.
 
#5
Daniel Jan said:
I'm looking at micing for live jazz performance, and Avishai Cohen has one of the best LIVE upright bass sounds I've heard (in terms of being true to the sound of the instrument).

It looks to me like it's a REALIST pickup he's using. Anyone have any idea what his mic of choice is? And how is he is mixing the signals?

Here's a live video for reference:

Thanks :)
Click to expand...


Avishai Cohen is a remarkable bassist, who spent many years working on his playing and sound. I would respectfully suggest that his path is not necessarily the best path for other players with different basses. Perhaps it is a good starting point, but trying to duplicate another players rig IMO is like capturing lightning in a bottle. IMHO it would be better to transcribe his lines and solos.

Respectfully

Ric
 
#6
One of my favs also, not only as a bassist but also as a composer. I love his music and he's got a great tone, both live and in the studio. I'm looking forward to catching him live in November. :hyper:

If anybody has more info about his gear. I'm all ears.
 
#7
Ric Vice said:
Avishai Cohen is a remarkable bassist, who spent many years working on his playing and sound. I would respectfully suggest that his path is not necessarily the best path for other players with different basses. Perhaps it is a good starting point, but trying to duplicate another players rig IMO is like capturing lightning in a bottle. IMHO it would be better to transcribe his lines and solos.

Respectfully

Ric
Click to expand...

+1000!
 
#8
Ric Vice said:
Avishai Cohen is a remarkable bassist, who spent many years working on his playing and sound. I would respectfully suggest that his path is not necessarily the best path for other players with different basses. Perhaps it is a good starting point, but trying to duplicate another players rig IMO is like capturing lightning in a bottle. IMHO it would be better to transcribe his lines and solos.

Respectfully

Ric
Click to expand...

Exactly! Technique, musicality, and communication should always be our primary aim. Getting that developed acoustic sound to "work" amped can just be such a sticky wicket, haha! His use of both a mic and pickup just caught my eye :) BTW, his new combo with Nitay Hershkovits and Ofri Nehemya (19 y/o) is fantastic! Ofri is one to keep an eye on for sure!
 
#9
He is a great player, but harder to watch than Charlie Haden. Using an amp for a solo like that is kind of odd, even in a big hall. His left hand super unorthodox but is getting the job done, I actually like how awkward it makes those fairly typical lines.

In terms of amp to acoustic ratio I don't think it is a very impressive example - you hear the amp, you hear the bass, it sounds fine.
There are better examples out there.

As others say, you have to figure out YOUR sound and then decide how to replicate it live.
 
#10
damonsmith said:
He is a great player, but harder to watch than Charlie Haden. Using an amp for a solo like that is kind of odd, even in a big hall. His left hand super unorthodox but is getting the job done, I actually like how awkward it makes those fairly typical lines.
Click to expand...

what is unorthodox about Avishai Cohen's left hand?
and what do you mean by 'harder to watch than Charlie Haden'?
Just curious.
 
#11
I've seen him play live twice from the front row of a venue where I know the owner. He requested an Ampeg rig on his rider because it's one of the easiest things to find anywhere. On the gigs that I saw, he ran a realist to the amp and a mic to the house. He sounded great both times both on DB and on his Fender Jazz bass. Avishai is a showman on stage, and just as he mixes genres, cultures, and styles of music together to create his music, he takes a bit from the popular/rock stage tradition in terms of his persona, which is very energetic and a bit larger than life. It's not my thing, but it works well and audiences love it for the most part.

I would be interested to hear more about the new trio. I loved just about everything he did with Mark Guiliana on drums but haven't had the same connection with what came after. If somebody could post a few links of happening new stuff, I'd be very grateful. :)
 
#12
Chris Fitzgerald said:
I've seen him play live twice from the front row of a venue where I know the owner. He requested an Ampeg rig on his rider because it's one of the easiest things to find anywhere. On the gigs that I saw, he ran a realist to the amp and a mic to the house. He sounded great both times both on DB and on his Fender Jazz bass. Avishai is a showman on stage, and just as he mixes genres, cultures, and styles of music together to create his music, he takes a bit from the popular/rock stage tradition in terms of his persona, which is very energetic and a bit larger than life. It's not my thing, but it works well and audiences love it for the most part.

I would be interested to hear more about the new trio. I loved just about everything he did with Mark Guiliana on drums but haven't had the same connection with what came after. If somebody could post a few links of happening new stuff, I'd be very grateful. :)
Click to expand...

These are offical videos belonging to his latest studio álbum "Duende". Piano & bass duets on all tracks. I love this álbum:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyV0EzWJQt0

T. Monk's Criss Cross

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XG-81iAjGEk&list=UUrmpMB9MG__yxxfYSQ9Mfxg&index=2

I got tickets to catch him live with his trio + strings next November. I'm going to take my eldest sons to watch the show (one plays the piano and the other plays DB).
 
#13
damonsmith said:
He is a great player, but harder to watch than Charlie Haden. Using an amp for a solo like that is kind of odd, even in a big hall.
Click to expand...

Mr. negativity checks in again, because Avashai's thumb sticks out in the lower postions. Harder to watch than Charlie? No chance. The guy's amazing and truly believes in the music he's playing. I love that.
 
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#19
Damon, he would sound different if he used his body differently. You know that. And he sounds great. He doesn't look like he is hurting himself with his technique. To the contrary, he's doing everything possible to not hurt himself. Nothing is forced, it's all flowing.
 

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