Best interface for recording direct bass

[logdrum]

I use Universal Audio Apollo interfaces. But I am moving to Antelope Studio. The good thing about these two is they have FPGAs -- which reconfigure the circuit to emulate hardware circuits, in low level hardware (RTL correct ) plus they have dedicated DSPs as well and they have class A preamps on the analog side. Very low latency and they clip softly.

 

[N4860]

I use Universal Audio Apollo interfaces. But I am moving to Antelope Studio. The good thing about these two is they have FPGAs -- which reconfigure the circuit to emulate hardware circuits, in low level hardware (RTL correct ) plus they have dedicated DSPs as well and they have class A preamps on the analog side. Very low latency and they clip softly.

Nice, I really really like my Antelope Studio. Best studio investment I've made.

 

[logdrum]

Nice, I really really like my Antelope Studio. Best studio investment I've made.

Antelope is a better value. UAD is a money pit for the price of the plugins. And Antelope plugins are all what you would call unison mode. And their modeling mics are awesome. UAD may have a better workflow but if you are going to use another DAW anyway.

 

[N4860]

Antelope is a better value. UAD is a money pit for the price of the plugins. And Antelope plugins are all what you would call unison mode. And their modeling mics are awesome. UAD may have a better workflow but if you are going to use another DAW anyway.

I've thought about the modeling mics but have yet to get one. I am still interested but I wasn't sure if they were better value than other pro mics.

 

[logdrum]

I've thought about the modeling mics but have yet to get one. I am still interested but I wasn't sure if they were better value than other pro mics.

Mics can break the bank quickly - but there are good values out there and clones of the famous ones. Get the Antelope Edge Solo to begin with and the two small ones they offer as well.

The Antelope modeling mics are good value and function as intended. I got the Edge Duo during the Christmas sale. Even without modeling they are as good as normal large diaphragm mic.

 

[samurai1993]

I have a first gen Scarlett that still goes strong, tho the direct input isn't a particularly strong point, as even in instrument/high-Z mode it losses some highs (AFAIK, high-Z mode isn't all that high-Z). Don't know if they fixed that in later revisions of the hardware, but it's easily fixed by a good DI (I use a Classic Orchid Electronics DI. Sounds good and it's built like a tank)

 

[Basslice]

I have and use a Scarlett 2i4 (1st gen) and a Scarlett Solo. I love them both. I cannot hear any sonic difference between the two.

 

[chazsundance]

You've probably got a lot of good info so far, so I'll just drop this real quick. I had a Presonus interface that sounded pretty good. I bought a Countryman Type 85 DI box and put that in front of the Presonus. WOW!!! Amazing direct bass tone. That is all

 

[DJ Bebop]

I'm using some old M Audio joint, coming off of my WD 800 DI out

We keep using it, the M Audio interface and Reaper or Adobe cause my grandson started using them when he was 3. At 4 he could boot up the whole system and record a track without help. He's 12 now so it's something he can use in his sleep

 

[nightchef]

I've owned both the Scarlett and the Clarett, and the quality difference is audible. Not huge, but audible. The Clarett circuitry is a little clearer and smoother. It's worth the price difference if your budget allows.

 

[hbabels]

As others have said most modern interfaces will get you there. That said the claret specs out a little better so should sound a little better but probably not night and day. Focusrite overall makes very good stuff.
My personal favorite is the Universal Audio Apollo interfaces as they have great converters & their workflow makes low latency recording a very easy workflow. Bonus is they have some fantastic sounding bass amp plugins as well.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

The problem with interfaces in that price range is that the Hi-Z DI inputs aren't exactly the best (and that's putting it kindly!).

A good quality DI box is THE most important thing for a good direct bass recording. All interfaces, even the ultra cheap Behringers, have resonable sound quality these days but the DI inputs are ALWAYS the weak link.

A cheap Behringer interface + a top quality DI box will give you a better result for direct bass recording than the DI inputs on either of those Focusrite interfaces. Of course a top quality DI box plus one of the Focusrites will be even better but also more expensive.

For reasonably priced TOP quality DI boxes I recommend Radial JDI or J48, depending on whether you will be recording an active bass or a passive bass. I would get a passive JDI for an active bass or an active J48 for a passive bass. For an allrounder I would start with the J48.

If these are too expensive I can also recommend the cheaper Radial PRO series.

Get the best DI box you can afford and use whatever is left on the interface. For direct bass recording the DI box is FAR more important than the interface.

Of course, if you have lots of money there are some amazing DI-boxes with tubes&transformer like the Zod ID DI but they will cost significantly more than either of those Focusrite interfaces... and you would still need an interface.

But pretty much any decent DI box will be better than the Hi-Z inputs on interfaces like those Focusrites.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

You've probably got a lot of good info so far, so I'll just drop this real quick. I had a Presonus interface that sounded pretty good. I bought a Countryman Type 85 DI box and put that in front of the Presonus. WOW!!! Amazing direct bass tone. That is all

Exactly! The DI box is THE most important factor for good direct bass recordings. The Countryman is a good recommendation. The Countryman + the Radials I mentioned in my post above are industry standards and they're used daily even in high end recording studios that can afford any DI they want.

 

[Manny Bernardez]

@Nicholas Smith I second what a few TB’ers have already said. Depending on your budget... Anthelope or Universal Audio interfaces are la creme de la creme. Pros and cons to both. (I’m a UAD user and love it.)

However a good DI might be a worthy investment to consider. Anything with a good transformer or tube that can give a little extra love to your tone. ACME Motown DI, NeveRNDI, RedDI, Khan DI etc.

Or go for something in the Bass Preamp/DI side like the Ampeg SCRDI, SansAmp ParaDriver, Tech 21 VT BassDI, JHS Colour Box, Noble, Broughton P-15, or their Superstack DI etc etc etc.

So many ways to skin this sonic cat. Ultimately your budget and the flexibility you require will determine the right solution for ya.

 

[Benko]

I would agree a good DI is more important that the interface.
I have a Scarlett 2i2 which is fine but it works better when fed from the DI of my GK Legacy 500 head

The legacy has a very clean DI that you can set pre/post EQ. It works well for me as I only have one cable to plug my bass and then I can choose to play through my (small) rig or recording silently after I turn down the volume.

the GK does not do cabsim but it's pretty decent and I don't have to fiddle with DAW on my computer when I want to record a bass cover (during pandemic I started to record very humble quick and dirty bass cover that I put on youtube)

 

[funkinbottom]

I use a Steinberg UR22 – works great for me.

Same here. I've been using a Steinberg UR44 for about 3 1/2 to four years now and no problems. They're a great little interface.

 

[IvanBassist]

Hello folks,

I’m trying to decide whether I should purchase a Focusrite Scarlett or Clarett interface.

I’ve been using a Roland Quad Capture for years but fancy something higher end.

Any ideas would be most useful.

Nicholas.

I had a Focusrite Clarett and recently upgraded to a UAD Apollo Twin X. HUUUUGE improvement. If the Twin X is out of your budget, maybe the Apollo Solo/Arrow could be an option for you.

The SSL2+ interface is another good budget friendly interface.

 

[Vodyanoi]

I've been using a 1st gen Scarlett 2i2 to record bass & mics for nearly a decade; it's a great piece of hardware, well suited for my needs. The drivers are great & the included software is nice too.

I can't say the same for my previous interface, a 6-channel Lexicon Ωmega, which always lead to problems (overheating, intermittent restarts while recording, awful drivers, noise and big amount of latency etc) that lead to loss of creativity.

 

[mcnach]

Hello folks,

I’m trying to decide whether I should purchase a Focusrite Scarlett or Clarett interface.

I’ve been using a Roland Quad Capture for years but fancy something higher end.

Any ideas would be most useful.

Nicholas.

There are a lot of good options. Personally I love the Focusrite units. I use a Scarlett Solo at home because it's small and USB-powered, so it makes it a great unit for recording on the move (you can use an app like n-track and record on your tablet/iPad and even your phone, and of course a laptop too).
I chose Focusrite because I was often listening to demos people made of different basses etc and everytime I liked the sound "straight from the interface, no additional processing" it was a Focusrite, often the Solo... so I bought one, and I love it. The sound straight into a DAW is very good, and of course you can always process it later (n-track and other apps give you various amp/speaker simulations, some free some paid), but I really like the sound you get direct from it.

So I would vote Focusrite, and then whatever unit suits your needs in terms of inputs/outputs etc. The Scarlett Solo is my favourite because I just record myself one track at a time and I like the USB power thing (and being the smallest one it's also the cheapest, which is fortunate), but I'm sure the others sound just as good.

edit: There's one inexpensive pedal that has become a 'must-have' for me: Joyo American Sound (essentially a copy of a Tech21 pedal, I forget which one, one of their character series). It has a nice built-in speaker simulation and the pedal itself is supposed to emulate some Fender amps... regardless, it's very good on bass and guitar. I was using separate speaker simulation pedals but I honestly prefer this £35 box. I tend to only use it on bass if I want a warm vintagey type of sound, with a little bit of mild overdrive, but bypass it most times as I like the sound direct to the Solo. For guitar, however, it's really useful: from nice shimmery clean sounds, all the way to 'rawk' and it responds really well to small changes on the volume control of your guitar.

 

[mcnach]

I had a Focusrite Clarett and recently upgraded to a UAD Apollo Twin X. HUUUUGE improvement. If the Twin X is out of your budget, maybe the Apollo Solo/Arrow could be an option for you.

The SSL2+ interface is another good budget friendly interface.

I'd listen to this man too ^^^

I love your amp demos and the sound you have is always on point.

The UAD units are a little expensive for my purposes (just home demos, sharing with the band etc) but I've heard great things about them, and your recommendation will be noted.