Bass is too quiet for recording through interface to pc, please help ;c

[Rocky049]

Hi everybody,
this is my very first post here and Im new to bass playing.
I want to record my bass guitar through my interface but it's waaaay too quiet and almost doesn't pick anything up, it only picks up sound when I turn the gain nob all the way up and if I pull the strings really hard!
I exchanged the guitar, just got the new one and the problem still persists...
Thats also the only way I record music, I dont have an actual amp.

Audio Interface:
Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd gen

Bass:
Yamaha trbx 304

On Windows 10

Thanks in advance

 

[sissy kathy]

Have you tried a different cable, or a different instrument with that cable, could the cable be bad? Are you sure the USB cable is working? Could it be your speakers can't reproduce the sound you are recording? Do you have an onscreen visual reference of what you are recording so you can confirm any of what I've asked?
Your could try a hotter pickup in your bass. Or get a more sensitive interface, or both.

 

[vid1900]

Are you remembering to press the INST button (or whatever it's called) on the Scarlett when directly recording your bass?

Then in the software make sure you are recording Input 2 (it probably defaults to input 1)

 

[Rocky049]

Have you tried a different cable, or a different instrument with that cable, could the cable be bad? Are you sure the USB cable is working? Could it be your speakers can't reproduce the sound you are recording? Do you have an onscreen visual reference of what you are recording so you can confirm any of what I've asked?
Your could try a hotter pickup in your bass. Or get a more sensitive interface, or both.

First of all, thank you for taking your time to respond to me!

I think the cable seems fine, because I use my Epiphone Les Paul with it to record and only have to turn the gain nob about 20-25%.

Speakers are fine, since I also use headphones and it works with my Les Paul.

On screen visual? I have a daw (Ableton Live Lite) and can see the soundwaves its picking up. On my bass it only picks up sound on highest gain with strong string pulls.
Also when I turn the gain all the way up and don't touch the strings, it sounds like it picks up background noise like a very sensitive microphone.

So I really feel like its the interface not picking up my bass guitar correctly, now that I think about it. It's weird tho because my Les Paul works fine ;-;..sad

I really don't wanna modify my new first bass... I mean, if I have to then sure but Id rather not.

More sensitive interface? Thing is, my interface can crank up the gain so much that I hear background noise, so I dont think another interface will help. Tho I could be wrong, Im very new to this stuff ;-;

 

[Rocky049]

Are you remembering to press the INST button (or whatever it's called) on the Scarlett when directly recording your bass?

Then in the software make sure you are recording Input 2 (it probably defaults to input 1)

Thank you for responding as well!

Uhh, no I didn't forget. Its turned on.
I even tried with it off and didnt help.

Also yes, recording Input in my daw is set correctly

 

[vid1900]

^ cool, almost every time someone says that they can't record their bass directly, it's that INST switch.

Do you have a guitar Compressor pedal that you can use to boost your bass signal?

Even a guitar distortion pedal can work. Turn the distortion down, turn gain and bass up.

 

[DirtDog]

Hard to pinpoint whether it's the bass malfunctioning if you don't have an amp you can play it through to validate.

In these types of situations, I would usually lean towards some setting on the interface not being engaged correctly but given that you have had success with your Les Paul, it seems more likely that it's the bass that's the issue here.

Got anyone who can lend you an amp (even a guitar amp) for a minute or two to test out the "broken bass" theory?

I don't believe yours is an active bass, but in the case that it is...check the battery.

 

[kevindahl]

What is the db level of the recorded bass when it is recorded? Does your bass have active pups? It might need a battery replacement. I think it is your bass if your guitar records normally.

 

[sissy kathy]

Hard to pinpoint whether it's the bass malfunctioning if you don't have an amp you can play it through to validate.

In these types of situations, I would usually lean towards some setting on the interface not being engaged correctly but given that you have had success with your Les Paul, it seems more likely that it's the bass that's the issue here.

Got anyone who can lend you an amp (even a guitar amp) for a minute or two to test out the "broken bass" theory?

I don't believe yours is an active bass, but in the case that it is...check the battery.

It is in fact active. Good Catch.

 

[DirtDog]

It is in fact active. Good Catch.

Well, I'll be dipped!

 

[Rocky049]

^ cool, almost every time someone says that they can't record their bass directly, it's that INST switch.

Do you have a guitar Compressor pedal that you can use to boost your bass signal?

Even a guitar distortion pedal can work. Turn the distortion down, turn gain and bass up.

Sadly, I don't have an amp nor any pedals.

I guess the only option is too...get one through amazon..and test it that way >.>
What pedal should I get? or what amp?

 

[bobbybass85]

New battery in the bass, and make sure it’s unplugged when not being played to preserve it.

 

[Rocky049]

Hard to pinpoint whether it's the bass malfunctioning if you don't have an amp you can play it through to validate.

In these types of situations, I would usually lean towards some setting on the interface not being engaged correctly but given that you have had success with your Les Paul, it seems more likely that it's the bass that's the issue here.

Got anyone who can lend you an amp (even a guitar amp) for a minute or two to test out the "broken bass" theory?

I don't believe yours is an active bass, but in the case that it is...check the battery.

Battery is checked and I also tried a new one. Issue still persists.

No, Im a lone wolf in this one..woof woof.. ;(
xD

I guess Imma have to get one from amazon...any cheap recommendations just to test it out..?

 

[bobbybass85]

Battery is checked and I also tried a new one. Issue still persists.

I guess Imma have to get one from amazon...any cheap recommendations just to test it out..?

I guess the only option is too...get one through amazon..and test it that way >.>
What pedal should I get? or what amp?[/QUOTE]

Assuming the following is true:
1. The interface works fine with a guitar plugged in directly.

3. The same cable used for the guitar was used for the bass.

2. A new battery has no change in the problem.

Then an amp won’t fix your problem. To me it sounds like there is an issue in the bass. I’d guess the wiring is wrong somewhere. Is there a guitar shop somewhere nearby where you can go try it out without just buying an amp to do that? If so, they likely also have someone who can open up the control cavity and verify that the wires are all properly soldered.

 

[Rocky049]

What is the db level of the recorded bass when it is recorded? Does your bass have active pups? It might need a battery replacement. I think it is your bass if your guitar records normally.

Ye thats what Im thinkin, most likely its my bass. ofcourse this could turn out false but I think its the model not being compatible enough with the interface...but..like...I would be really really really unlucky to have picked a popular guitar(I assume it is, its very well reviewed), that doesnt work with a popular interface.. like wat the hecc ;c

Battery is fine, I checked that.



Here ya go, I made a little vid. I accidently rendered the first vid too short not showing my les paul but that isnt a problem. Just know the first clip is me using the Epiphone Les Paul and on the second clip you can see the bass.
Also pls ignore whats on my 2nd screen thank you in advance love you. 0-0

 

[Rocky049]

Well, I'll be dipped!

Is that a joke/pun I dont get? I feel left out ;-;

 

[dkelley]

I see the meter moving on your recording interface when you TALK, and it's about as loud as when you play the bass.

Do you have a mic connected? I think your interface is picking up sound somewhere, from a mic.

I think the bass may not be working - but you also should only be recording from the instrument input, NOT Also from a mic, unless you want a lot of room noise in your direct DI recordings.

 

[sissy kathy]

Is that a joke/pun I dont get? I feel left out ;-;

No, it's a local expression of surprise/disbelief/wonder depending on context.

 

[kevindahl]

Volume pot? Try backing off on the volume pot to 95% just under full output to see if that makes any difference. Experiment with other pots. Any crackling heard when you turn them. I am not familiar with the controls on that bass. Are you sure everything is engaged and on? The bass looks new so that seems odd.

 

[bfields]

Weird. So you can plug in your Les Paul, hear it fine, and without changing anything, just unplug it and plug in the bass, and you get nothing? Grasping at straws: You're certain the battery is good and is installed correctly in the battery compartment and making contacts with positive and negative terminals as it should? I saw you adjusted the volume knob, but have you tried it at both extremes just to make sure? (And maybe the bass/treble/pickup balance knobs too, just to make sure.) Are you sure the cable is well seated in the bass's output jack? Do you have another cable you could try just to make extra sure there's not some weird intermittent problem with it?

Kinda hard to believe you got *two* brand new basses with bad electronics, but I'm out of ideas.