Best ways to record bass into the computer

[Mannas]

I am looking for the best sounding ways to record bass into the computer. I've got a Native Instruments Audio Kontrol 1 sound card. It's got a Mic/Line input as well as an instrument input. Would the sound quality make a difference if I plugged the bass straight into the instrument input as opposed to running it through a DI and into the mic input? The options I'm looking at are below:

1. Straight into the instrument input
2. Through a DI (EWI or Radial)
3. Through a Sansamp RPM or RBI
4. Insert other ideas here.

Which of these do you think will bring the best results or any other suggestions?

 

[GypsyMan]

Amazon.com: Tascam US-100 USB 2.0 Audio Interface: Musical Instruments

Amazon.com: Behringer HPX2000 Headphones High-Definition DJ Headphones: Musical Instruments

Amazon.com: Acoustica Mixcraft 5 Audio MIDI Music Recording Software V 5: Musical Instruments

There ya go, same setup I have.

 

[tbassist4]

The best route in my opinion is to mic the cab. It will get you closest to the sound you hear when you play. Of course, you do need a nice microphone and a place to record. If you don't have a nice mic or don't want to spend a few hundred dollars on one, the next best route is to use the instrument input on your AK1. You can still use a pre or effects if you want, and you don't have to worry about things being line-level.

As for an actual sound quality difference, perhaps yes (check point B below), and it doesn't favor the DI.


A couple really important things:

A. If you still decide on using a DI, MAKE SURE you use the TRS line-in and NOT THE XLR. XLR mic in's are designed for the impedance of a microphone, anything else could result in anything from distortion to actually damaging your unit.

B. Passive DI's introduce a very low level of noise into the signal, but tend to sound more true. Active DI's tend to color the sound, so it's generally better to go with a preamp anyways if you go the active route.

 

[Spaldo]

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this works for me...

 

[NineSpine]

Gotta love how many people already didn't read the actual question and just assumed that the guy didn't already have an interface.

I'd say that in your situation a DI would probably give you the best sound if you can't mic a cab.

 

[maxiegrant]

What you could do is run your bass through a DI, into a cab, and the DI into the instrument input. Mic the cab, and blend both signals. Worst case, one of them just isn't what you're after.

I sometimes do three tracks of the bass. One clean, one amplified, and one distorted. Sometimes I even do this gag where I record the clean bed track, and when I used to record with my Fostex VF-16 I would then pan the bass all the way to the left or right, take the monitor signal into my amp, and record that. Sometimes I did more than one amp like that. Or I did one track with a bass drum mic in the reflex port, and then I'd do it again with an SM-58 on the speaker cone. When I started using Reaper, I would just clone one of the tracks and stick an amp modeler on it, or I'd send to a blank track with an amp modeler effect.

Just depends on how creative you are feeling.

 

[Mannas]

Gotta love how many people already didn't read the actual question and just assumed that the guy didn't already have an interface.

I wouldn't have said anything since I am asking for help but yeah I was thinking it too. I'm covered with the AK1.

As for an actual sound quality difference, perhaps yes (check point B below), and it doesn't favor the DI.


A couple really important things:

B. Passive DI's introduce a very low level of noise into the signal, but tend to sound more true. Active DI's tend to color the sound, so it's generally better to go with a preamp anyways if you go the active route.

Yeah, unfortunately since I live in an apartment I can't mic a cab which sucks because that's what I would much rather do.

So you think just going straight in the instrument input would be better than going through a DI and be the truest sound?

What about going into an amp and out the output that some have. Would that give the color of the amp? I had toyed with looking at that and just unplugging the cable to the speaker so that it's not loud.

Also, I am looking for options as far as amp and tone sims. Anything you might recommend (Amplitube, Guitar Rig, etc.)? I don't really use much distortion or effects. I am just looking for a good fulll deep beefy sound.

Sorry for all the questions. I am just looking for what sounds the best, doesnt cost a ton, and what makes the most sense.

 

[ethnotime]

I recorded my Jazz bass direct through the MAudio firewire solo and it sounded great. In fact the sound was pretty awesome. Maybe it was Garageband but I was happy with it. Enough for a demo anyway.

 

[depalm]

Plug the bass right into the interface and record it clean, then you could add effects such as EQ, compression, amp simulator etc…

I love the Ampeg SVX, Amplitube Fender and Waves GTR Amp. Both are great.

 

[tbassist4]

Yeah, unfortunately since I live in an apartment I can't mic a cab which sucks because that's what I would much rather do.

So you think just going straight in the instrument input would be better than going through a DI and be the truest sound?

What about going into an amp and out the output that some have. Would that give the color of the amp? I had toyed with looking at that and just unplugging the cable to the speaker so that it's not loud.

Also, I am looking for options as far as amp and tone sims. Anything you might recommend (Amplitube, Guitar Rig, etc.)? I don't really use much distortion or effects. I am just looking for a good fulll deep beefy sound.

Sorry for all the questions. I am just looking for what sounds the best, doesnt cost a ton, and what makes the most sense.

First off, don't unplug the speaker of your amp. This can and will fry the amp. The amp needs to be under load - if it isn't (i.e. speaker that doesn't offer enough resistance or no speaker) then you'll be looking at a new amp in no time. Not blaming or anything, just thought I'd make you aware.

Now back to your question, either straight in to the AK1 or through the amp's line-out or headphone jack would be just fine. You'd then plug into the line-in on the AK1, and not the instrument jack in the latter case. If your amp has a master volume, turn that down instead of unplugging the speaker. The master volume usually only affects the speaker. The signal should still come through the line-out or headphone jack just fine. Use the gain to adjust volume.

Yes, an amp will color the signal, even if you're going through the line-out or headphone jack, which is good if you're after some tone-shaping. It will sound similar to the amped sound, but not the same. Some amps even have an "emulated line-out" that are designed to sound as if it's coming out of the cab speaker.

In terms of amp simulators, think of "color" instead of "size." Bass signals are actually too woofy and fat to be used as they are straight into a box - you'll actually be cutting with EQ in the lows and low mids, and boosting *slightly* around 2k or so, although the latter depends on taste.

I can't really comment on how different amp simulators sound. I have amplitube but have only used it for guitar - it tended to be a little thin - I ended up removing amplitube and then reamping on that track. Check out some of Depalm's suggestions.

And please post back with any more questions.

 

[Hellbastard]

First off, don't unplug the speaker of your amp. This can and will fry the amp. The amp needs to be under load - if it isn't (i.e. speaker that doesn't offer enough resistance or no speaker) then you'll be looking at a new amp in no time. Not blaming or anything, just thought I'd make you aware.

If the amp is solid state nothing will happen. Only tube amps require to have a load, solid state amps don't.

As for the OP question: With the NI interface you don't need an extra DI, because it has a Instrument input. Unless you want to have tone sahping capabilities in which case you can use a sansamp or any other active pre/D.I combo.

Try getting a copy of amplitube SVX, and use it as an amp simulator. Blend the Direct signal with the SVX processed one and you'll get really good sounds.

 

[Dave W]

I would try out the "instrument" input first and see if you like it. It's the simplest and doesn't cost you a dime! If it works, then the search is over. If it doesn't...

I tend to like DI's, so I would recommend going that route. It's very simple and you don't need an amp that makes any noise to use one.

B. Passive DI's introduce a very low level of noise into the signal

I can't say that I've experienced this. My JDI is dead silent.

 

[NineSpine]

Now is a fine time to decide whether you lean more towards someone who wants to use software to get a good sound, or someone who wants to use hardware to get a good sound. You can of course mix these options, but I've found that a lot of people are just naturally more comfortable in one of those two arenas and they just work better when they settle into it.

 

[jarrhead]

Actually, an Axe FX can bypass the microphone and give you just the amp & cab & effect sounds. It's expensive but doubles as gear. It has an Ampeg B-15 bass model on it, if you like that kind of thing.

As for me, I'm going to buy a Presonus FP10. I always just make sure I have a clean recording signal, then use software to get the rest of my sound. For now, I use a Line 6 GX, and it can be totally awesome if you have the patience and skill to EQ to crap out of it.

 

[tbassist4]

I would try out the "instrument" input first and see if you like it. It's the simplest and doesn't cost you a dime! If it works, then the search is over. If it doesn't...

I tend to like DI's, so I would recommend going that route. It's very simple and you don't need an amp that makes any noise to use one.

+1. And no, you won't hear a difference in quality - it won't magically get better if you use a DI. Choose the route based on effects and extras you want in the signal chain.

I can't say that I've experienced this [passive DI making noise]. My JDI is dead silent.

Well, for $200 that thing should be silent! Looks really nice too. To be honest, my Proco DB-1 is also dead silent. People with really good ears (read: imaginations) like to say they can still hear it, even on nice units. So I'll correct myself:

Cheap passive DI's introduce a low level of noise into the signal. If you buy any standard level DI, you will be fine.

If the amp is solid state nothing will happen. Only tube amps require to have a load, solid state amps don't.

As for the OP question: With the NI interface you don't need an extra DI, because it has a Instrument input. Unless you want to have tone sahping capabilities in which case you can use a sansamp or any other active pre/D.I combo.

Try getting a copy of amplitube SVX, and use it as an amp simulator. Blend the Direct signal with the SVX processed one and you'll get really good sounds.

+1 on blending signals - I've always found I've at least enjoyed the luxury of having another signal, even if I don't end up using it. Having two different signals can get you a lot closer than just EQ and compression alone.

As for the amp thing - thanks, I learned something today. I remember reading a post here and it sounded like that affected both tube and solid state, but I guess I'm mistaken. Thanks again.

 

[Mannas]

+1. And no, you won't hear a difference in quality - it won't magically get better if you use a DI. Choose the route based on effects and extras you want in the signal chain.

Thanks everyone for the help. Ideally appreciate it. That's the main thing I was curious about. I don't see a point to buy one if there's not an improvement for me.

+1 on blending signals - I've always found I've at least enjoyed the luxury of having another signal, even if I don't end up using it. Having two different signals can get you a lot closer than just EQ and compression alone.

I'll have to give that a try. I have heard that before but really haven't done much recording so far so I haven't really messed with it.

Plug the bass right into the interface and record it clean, then you could add effects such as EQ, compression, amp simulator etc...

I love the Ampeg SVX, Amplitube Fender and Waves GTR Amp. Both are great.

I actually have Ampeg. I got it when IK was having a group buy a year or so back. Is there anything particular you would recommend from either one? I play a Jaguar strung with flats and play mainly hip-hop, R&B, etc. so I mainly just want a good clean, smooth, deep fat tone. I tried the model of the Acoustic amp last night through the custom shop and was pretty impressed. I don't really use effects so just looking for a good straightaway tone.

Thank you again to everyone for taking the time to respond and help me out.