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general recording question

Bjazzman

Bjazzman

Dec 7, 2004
2,732
1
46
Madison WI
www.myspace.com
#1
hey justin,

i figured you'd know better than most about this one-

When a song gets going, how can you be distinct in your tone? What i mean is like inside the song you can hear the whole band ie: guitars, bass, drums, whatever.. all at once but most of the time the bass is supporting the song so you don't always get a distinct bass tone. In this case, will any bass do? Or why bring alot of basses to a recording unless you know at one point during the song, you will hear a snippet of just your bass?

I appreciate all your experience/wisdom

I'd totally come see you guys in Mpls but the target center sucks for seeing live music.
 
#2
This is a very challenging question to answer, because it's different for every song and style. But I'd certainly say that a fine passive P and/or J style instrument will suit most any circumstance under the sun.

I bring lots of basses because even if you don't think you hear a difference, it's there. The character of the bass informs how the apparent low-end of the drum kit and guitar work as well. Just because bass is supporting the song doesn't mean it's a world of difference between instruments, unless the session is being recorded by an inept engineer with crap gear.

JMJ
 
#5
Do you usually have some kinda short-scale puppy on hand too if you're just bringing a handful of axes? (I'm totally appreciating lately how effective a short-scale can be for some things--it just does something special it seems).
 
#8
Justin -

I just wanted to say how cool it is not only to have you part of this community but how quick you are to respond to an inquiry. I've had the pleasure seeing live you with Ima Robot but didn't realize it was you (doh!) until after the fact. Thanks for your rapid response time. Have fun on the NIN tour.

P.S. I loved reading your earlier posts about your Music Man bass search as I'm looking at getting one sooner than later (please be sooner!).
 
#10
How do you decide what to use with all those choices? Is it mostly a hunch, or do you do things like cut the track with a handful of basses and AB them?

Also, this business of switching basses live...how the hell do you switch between so many and keep it consistent? I used to want to switch basses out on my gigs, but I would end up screwing with the mix so often that I was politely asked to stop in one band I work with. Since then, I just play one or two on a gig. It got a little easier when I got a little 2-channel EBS preamp, but 7 or 8 basses seems like a pretty daunting task. So what do you do to keep the consistency with levels and EQ with such a herd of basses?
 
#11
BUMP.

I would actually like to know this too.

I use about 4 basses live and I use the Lehle 3@1 switcher. there are internal volume trims for input 2 and 3 so you can = out the level for all 3 inputs. all my basses are passive so the tend to line up well anyway.

I also usually have a preamp n my board to boos a weak bass (my hofner club)

I try to make the signals even so the sound engineer doesn;t have to mess with the gain from my signal.

how do you do it justin?
 

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