bass -> amp -> USB interface -> computer, or...?

[LostJohnny]

I'm using Garageband on a Mac, but I think this question is applicable to any DAW and OS. I just got a new USB audio interface, which has both an XLR input and a 1/4" input. I also have an amp which has an XLR out for DI. Is there any advantage to going bass -> amp -> USB interface using the XLR rather than just bass -> USB interface?
I guess you get to use the amp's controls that way, and maybe get some of its characteristic (preamp) tone, but if you're plugging into a modeling DAW, does it matter much? Any other advantages/disadvantages?

 

[filmtex]

Uh. If the way sour amp modifies you’re sound is part or all of the sound you’re looking for. Use the DI. If not, then don’t. Personally I would try it both ways and make my own decision based on what I’m actually hearing. Give it a go and post both so we can hear what you’re hearing.

 

[seamonkey]

IMHO - there's no benefit

Bass -> Interface - record this to one track + Interface direct monitor out -> Amp -> Amp DI - record this to a second track

And the see which one you really find you can do the most with with the DAW and plugins. IMHO - the Bass -> Interface is the most usable.

 

[cassanova]

It depends on the tone I'm after. There have been times I've ran the bass directly into the interface, and other times I've used one of a few different preamp DI pedals to get that specific flavor going into the daw. Either or is acceptable, it all depends on which tone you like best. That being said, most engineers prefer to work with the signal as flat as possible, and then sculpt it in post, so I would advise leaving your amp set flat, or as close to it as possible if that's the route you choose.

 

[SteveCS]

...
and a 1/4" input.
...

It would depend on the properties of the ¼" input. If it is low impedance only and you have a passive instrument then it will probably not sound so good. In that scenario I would invariably use the bass amp then DI to the Interface. If the ¼" has a high impedance (Hi-Z) setting it might sound better, but even that is no guarantee - some consider 470K to be high impedance, but my personal experience is that 1M0 or higher works better with passive basses. In the end it is all about results.

 

[JRA]

Is there any advantage to going bass -> amp -> USB interface using the XLR rather than just bass -> USB interface?

no. your reasoning is correct = use your DAW to shape the tone you want.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

What's the purpose of your recording project? If you're laying down tracks for someone else to mix into a song, flat is the way to go. The producer's team will take care of sonic sculpting in post.

Are you recording basslines to share virtually with your band to learn the songs? I'd go through the amp and make it sound the way you want it to with the players you know. In this scenario, I doubt anyone would bother to sculpt bass tone on their DAWs! Unless someone is doing double duty and mixing tracks for the band. In that case, do both: send the amp's signal to one track and the clean signal to another. Everyone gets what they need.

Same goes for you. If your goal is to learn how to apply EQ and effects to a bass signal by using a DAW, focus on using a clean signal. Once you get it the way you want, try achieving the same result with the amp's signal. Then you'll learn why clean is preferred!

If you're recording to help yourself learn songs or study your technique, I'd use the amp's signal. It's closer to the tone you use when playing with a band. A clean signal sounds sterile, and sometimes that tone isn't quite as inspiring.

All of the above is for electric bass.

If you're tracking double bass, clean signal only all the time is the way to go for acoustic purity.

 

[Tosh]

I plug straight into the instrument jack of my interface (actually it's bass -> compressor pedal -> interface).
I then use the amp modeling software included with Logic X (I believe the latest Garageband also has decent amp modeling). These recordings are mostly demos and solo compositions; I'm not trying to capture or emulate a live band.

 

[DirkP]

I use a lot of outboard gear like 19" comps, mic-preamps and eqs, but never one of my bass amps. There might be amps like the small Ampeg tube amps with a transformer-based DI or single DI's like the REDDI or the RNDI from Neve that I would prefer to the HZ-inputs of budget interfaces.
If you have a good amp, you could at least simply compare the direct pre-eq DI-out of the amp into the Mic-preamp IN of your interface with the direct HZ-input of the interface. Let your ears judge instead of us.

 

[Kijekuyo]

I'm interested in plugging my bass directly into my iMac. Are there any recommendations for a low-cost cable (1/4" to USB)? I have no idea what I'm looking for, but I don't need super high quality sound, just good enough to lay down bass lines for my band to hear.

Here are three possibilities.

https://www.amazon.com/Adapter-Aoge...itar+1/4"+to+usb+cable&qid=1595715614&sr=8-28

https://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Cable...itar+1/4"+to+usb+cable&qid=1595715614&sr=8-13

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/behringer-guitar-2-usb-guitar-to-usb-interface-cable

Thanks.