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Computer direct?

FishDub

FishDub

Stuck in the 80s and happy about it
Supporting Member
Jun 12, 2011
2,405
3,432
Charlotte, NC
#1
Hi
Sorry if this is basic but when I see these videos of bass players on YouTube stating they are going direct into their computers rather than an actual bass amp, how is this accomplished? My laptop has USB ports etc and small inputs for headphones and speakers. What equipment do I need for this. I want to start playing with this method and record myself so I can improve and just see how I sound overall. They normally sound so good and the quality sounds great, almost like listening to a cd. Thanks for any help!
 
#2
Also, I have read some of the forums in this section but it seems a bit complicated, all I have is my bass combo, headphones and a laptop, so looking for some basics to at least start or try.
 
#3
Ill try and give as simple as possible answers.
Bass>interface with preamp (m aduio or something similar>computer via usb<daw (garageband, cubase, protools, logic, reason, etc, etc)

Interface = analog to digital to analog converter - will have a couple 1/4" inputs to plug your bass or a mic or instrument into will have a usb out to the computer.
Preamp = sweepable gain control and boots signal, also creates tone
daw = digital audio workstation - aka recording software - program that lets you record and mix your music you can play and record to a number of tracks and mix those down to a single stereo track among other things.
Plugins = digital renderings of studio ouboard gear such as compressors, equalizers, reverb units, delays, etc etc. (effects) that can be applied to your tracks as you record them or post recording

A quality interface will usually come bundled with a daw and some plug ins. They can be gotten for cheap. M-audio makes several small interfaces with decent ada conversion under $100.00
They are really simple to use and hook up. Hopefully this helps, and the minute you start recording yourself, you will see large improvements in your playing and tone. ****Record everything to a click track*****

Enjoy
 
#4
You're going to need an audio interface between your bass and your computer. The PreSonus AudioBox USB is a good choice if you're just getting started -- the street price is about $99.00 and it includes a great piece of recording software. If you don't have monitors, I'd also suggest a decent pair of headphones.

You'll plug your instrument into one of the front 1/4" jacks, set your gain structure, and record. That's as direct as you can possibly get. The trick is balancing the trim knob on the audio interface and the channel gain in the software so that one component isn't working much harder than the other.

Make sure your recordings are loud! 0dB is where digital clipping starts occurring, so you'll want to make sure you have 3-6dB of headroom for transients and accommodating the bass's large dynamic range. 12dB is the lower level of acceptable. If you're looking at the vu meter on your bass channel (in the recording software), 0 is the top and everything is measured as a negative offset from that point. To be more clear, when you're tracking your bass, you'll want to see your signal peak on the meter somewhere between -3dB and -6dB. If you're not getting above -12dB, you'll need a hotter input.

If you need more info or help, feel free to ask. When you're just getting started, it can be a little overwhelming, but taken a step at a time, the learning curve isn't as intimidating as you might imagine.
 
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#5
davy4575 said:
Ill try and give as simple as possible answers.
Bass>interface with preamp (m aduio or something similar>computer via usb<daw (garageband, cubase, protools, logic, reason, etc, etc)

Interface = analog to digital to analog converter - will have a couple 1/4" inputs to plug your bass or a mic or instrument into will have a usb out to the computer.
Preamp = sweepable gain control and boots signal, also creates tone
daw = digital audio workstation - aka recording software - program that lets you record and mix your music you can play and record to a number of tracks and mix those down to a single stereo track among other things.
Plugins = digital renderings of studio ouboard gear such as compressors, equalizers, reverb units, delays, etc etc. (effects) that can be applied to your tracks as you record them or post recording

A quality interface will usually come bundled with a daw and some plug ins. They can be gotten for cheap. M-audio makes several small interfaces with decent ada conversion under $100.00
They are really simple to use and hook up. Hopefully this helps, and the minute you start recording yourself, you will see large improvements in your playing and tone. ****Record everything to a click track*****

Enjoy
Click to expand...
Awesome thanks!..to both of you
 
#6
Interfaces are cheap and convenient, and usually come with some starter software. The software alone is usually worth the price. Check the support forums for some interfaces and you'll find a lot of helpful getting started information.

I still say, many laptops on the market have great built in sound. And a simple adapter may be all you need if you already have software or want to go freeware.
 
#7
Interfaces are good, but not necessarily required. Your computer might have a mic/line-in, which may work just fine w/ the correct physical adapter 1/4"-1/8" phono converter.
I've had several computers work just fine this way(macs all seem to work). 1 of mine required a simple buffer circuit to make it work, but I think if that's the case, an interface is fine.
 
#8
seamonkey said:
Interfaces are cheap and convenient, and usually come with some starter software. The software alone is usually worth the price. Check the support forums for some interfaces and you'll find a lot of helpful getting started information.

I still say, many laptops on the market have great built in sound. And a simple adapter may be all you need if you already have software or want to go freeware.
Click to expand...

The DACs in most laptops still aren't up to par with even a $99.00 audio interface. Things like matching levels are also more difficult. Plus, $99 gets you an awesome DAW. Technically, using an adapter is feasible, but it's cumbersome and annoying.
 
#9
I've heard that argument about built-in DACs not being "good". Except I've never seen evidence that is the case, as far as sound quality is concerned. In fact, knowing how the chip industry works, I would bet, that you can find a thousand dollar interface and a $20 sound card that share the same silicon. What you pay for, generally, isn't the DACs themselves. It's the packaging, other circuitry, and software enabled features(fine level controls and EQ). Those are certainly worth the money IF you're mastering and mixing high quality audio in a good recording environment. However, if your goal is to record in your noisy office and upload to youtube, it's not going to make much difference.
I've found that a simple $3 adapter is significantly less cumbersome and annoying than the cheaper interfaces which have driver issues, delay, and extra box and cables to worry about.

I also found I didn't like Cubase that came w/ my cheap interfaces... Reaper works better for me and can be downloaded for free to try out(you should pay for it, if you keep it)
 
#11
If you do use the built in sound and an adapter I recommend ASIO 4 All drivers software. It's free and provides a good low latency driver that works with just about any soundcard and adds input and output routing the stock drivers may not have.
 
#12
1. Grab a USB interface such as; iRig pro, Apogee Jam (Mac), Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, ART USB Dual Pre, PreSonus AudioBox USB, etc.
2. Download Reaper DAW (can use for free)
3. Record

Depending on the amp you have, you could use the direct out (XLR) directly into the USB interface. If you run Windows you may need ASIO 4 drivers. There are a few free plugins that can be used within Reaper if you just want to go directly into the USB interface.

On a budget? I picked up my Focusrite 2i2 used at my local Guitar Center for $65 well worth the money.
 
#13
HeisnbrgUncertn said:
Make sure your recordings are loud! 0dB is where digital clipping starts occurring, so you'll want to make sure you have 3-6dB of headroom for transients and accommodating the bass's large dynamic range. 12dB is the lower level of acceptable. If you're looking at the vu meter on your bass channel (in the recording software), 0 is the top and everything is measured as a negative offset from that point. To be more clear, when you're tracking your bass, you'll want to see your signal peak on the meter somewhere between -3dB and -6dB. If you're not getting above -12dB, you'll need a hotter input.
Click to expand...

HUH???!¿?¿?!!!!¿?¿?!!!

Are you sure? Where did you get that misleading info? The only truth in your statement is that the digital clipping starts when the 0dbFS is overpassed. If we talk about a 16bit digital recording system than we talk about 96db´s of headroom under the 0dbFS, and 144db for a 24bit system. So go figure. :facepalm:
 

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