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Favorite Mic/Mic pre for Bass

#3
Out of my available choices, I'm currently favoring a Sennheiser 421-u5 into a Groove Tube "The Brick".

I mostly record my live bands in a home studio and usually position the bass mic a couple of inches from the grill and at a diagonal angle (away from the drums) pointing across the speaker to a point between the dust cap and the surround.

I also record bass with 2 separate DI bass tracks using a second G/T Brick and a Sansamp RBI for serveral blend and tone options at mixdown.
 
#4
You'd be amazed at the difference in a good pre. Try an ART, then a NEVE (or the Vintech), let me know what you think. If you have a limited budget, a good mic will help more than a pre but the two together will amaze you.

Mic's: I like a 421 or an RE20 or amazingly enough an Audix D6. If you like Ribbon (and I love'em) try the Peluso R14 and save some money, these things are awesome.

Always run at least 1 D.I. signal, you never know when you'll need it.
 
#8
are vintech's clones? never heard of them. I wasnt trying to be a jerk if you interpreted it that way.

Do you have access to alot of mics and still prefer the 421?

I just wonder whether people really like the 421 that much or they just havnt had a chance to experiment with much else/
 
#9
groovejam said:
are vintech's clones? never heard of them. I wasnt trying to be a jerk if you interpreted it that way.

Do you have access to alot of mics and still prefer the 421?

I just wonder whether people really like the 421 that much or they just havnt had a chance to experiment with much else/
Click to expand...

No offense taken. Vintech is as close to a NEVE as a NEVE (Link Removed). I run a studio and have had a ton of mics on cabs. Like a previous poster I like the Naked Eye but it's not for the wallet challenged. The 421 is so good because it has such a dynamic range and great roll off as well.
 
#10
I second the GT Brick.
I had a Ditto Box with NOS Telefunkin tubes installed and it sceamed.
That and the Demeter Tube DI as previously mentioned.

For mics the RE20 and 421. Either and I'm pretty happy.

I've actually had pretty good success wth my AKG D112 blended with a DI line.
Live, that set up worked real nice. But lately it's been the Sen. 421 with a DI line.

I may have some live tracks with that set up around. I'll see if I can find them and post them up.
 
#12
firkinahsoul said:
You'd be amazed at the difference in a good pre. Try an ART, then a NEVE (or the Vintech), let me know what you think. If you have a limited budget, a good mic will help more than a pre but the two together will amaze you.
Click to expand...
Ummm.... I have good pre's. Given the choice between a Vintech, a Great River (I have both the NV and the original MP-2), a Phoenix DRS-2, a Vac Rac, a Daking, a Manley, an MTA A-Range, a Universal Audio, a Studio Electonics Pre2 or even the console preamps, I don't care at all - I'll use whichever of the above isn't already in use on something else where the pre makes a bigger difference. The preamp is at least 5th (if not farther down) in relative importance in my experience. First the player, then the bass. Then the amp. Then placement of the mic and then the mic. Then the compressor (should I chose to use one). And only THEN do I worry about what mic pre I use. Of course, I don't really have any cheap preamps....
 
#13
groovejam said:
SM7 anyone? Or M-88?
Click to expand...

I like my 421's tight, full and bouncy sound over my M-88's low-mid honky-ness, and my SM-7's rather loose and raggedy quality on bass cabs. But those two are definitely also great bass cab-worthy mics with a completely different flavor that others might just prefer.

(sorry but I just love posting my silly cab mic pic)

micsrig.jpg
 
#14
anderbass said:
I like my 421's tight, full and bouncy sound over my M-88's low-mid honky-ness, and my SM-7's rather loose and raggedy quality on bass cabs. But those two are definitely also great bass cab-worthy mics with a completely different flavor that others might just prefer.

(sorry but I just love posting my silly cab mic pic)

micsrig.jpg
Click to expand...

:eek: LOL!! I really like the "CB mic" hanging over the cab. Must produce a killer "radio voice sound" really though, very funny!
 
#15
Dave Martin said:
Ummm.... I have good pre's.
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My comments were not intended to be derogatory towards you at all. Why do threads like this turn out so heated. I was stating my personal preference findings as were/are others to the question at hand. All of these "what do YOU think" threads are intended for personal preference anywho, right?

That said, I prefer one of my 421's off the cone about an inch and slightly angled toward the cone into one of the channels of my 473 and my M147 about 4 feet away into my UA M610 and a D.I. line with my Radial JDI or J48.

Dave, your studio is nice, soon I will have a live room like that.
 
#16
I've been using the True-Voice as a Direct box in the studio. only a few times Have a miced up a cab in the studio.

I know that isn't what you were looking for as far as mic choices go, but I would check out the new True-voice design preamp. Brian has been working on this new design and it absolutely kills. The Prototype was designed by Brian B. and Mo' West... after some tweaking, I think they have an outstanding product. Here is in idea of what the finished product will be.

Invalid Link Removed

The controls are actually on top of the unit. I am using the original True-Voice right now, but will have the new version very soon. This could be the perfect addition to your studio IMHO
 
#18
firkinahsoul said:
My comments were not intended to be derogatory towards you at all. Why do threads like this turn out so heated. I was stating my personal preference findings as were/are others to the question at hand. All of these "what do YOU think" threads are intended for personal preference anywho, right?

That said, I prefer one of my 421's off the cone about an inch and slightly angled toward the cone into one of the channels of my 473 and my M147 about 4 feet away into my UA M610 and a D.I. line with my Radial JDI or J48.

Dave, your studio is nice, soon I will have a live room like that.
Click to expand...

I didnt mean to sound heated, nor did I take your comments as derogatory - it was simply that having used dozens of different preamps over the years, I not longer concern myself overmuch with which particular one I choose for a miked bass amp; other items in the signal chain are more important to me. besides, 95% of the bass tracks recorded here are direct - the B15 is seldom used.
 
#20
I agree with Dave to a point, when your micing the cab the cab, the player, the mic, the room, the amp are all going to have much stronger affect on an end product than a mic pre, BUT if the mic pre has a DI on it it does affect alot more of the tone. Ive heard good things using the chandler germ pre as a bass DI.

What technique are you guys using your SM7's on your bass cabs. I thought I would love that mic on bass cabs and after 2 days of messing with it I couldnt get anything out of it I really dug. Im more in the 421 camp. Its funny the 421's and sm7s arent compared much, they are as close to apples to apples as I can think of.
 

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