getting levels correct recording bass

[drewphishesp]

So lately I have been recording myself practicing because I think it helps

however I am getting some pretty terrible levels. When I am playing fast quick notes they are barely audible but if I bang out roots on certain parts of the song they are nice and loud and sound great

is there a way to get the levels good for all the diff types of playing you tend to do throughout a song so the louder parts arent super loud and the softer parts arent either

Im going DI from the back of my eden wt550

 

[sigterm]

Try adding some compression

 

[smeet]

That's exactly what a compressor is for. It takes some time to learn how to dial it in without sucking the life out of your playing.

But of course, improving your technique so you have good control over your dynamics is always best.

 

[drewphishesp]

yes true. My amp has built in compressor, but perhaps I need to add one to the channel strip in logic as well

 

[lz4005]

is there a way to get the levels good for all the diff types of playing you tend to do throughout a song so the louder parts arent super loud and the softer parts arent either

Yes. Play more consistently. Your issue is 100% about right hand technique.

 

[drewphishesp]

I know i dont have perfect technique but it sounds ok from my amp, and when im playing live with people its just the recording is the issue

 

[sigterm]

I know i dont have perfect technique but it sounds ok from my amp, and when im playing live with people its just the recording is the issue

Are you playing back in headphones or studio monitor? Why not mic your cab instead of DI from amp if you're good live

 

[lz4005]

I know i dont have perfect technique but it sounds ok from my amp, and when im playing live with people its just the recording is the issue

Recording is a microscope for technique issues.
You hear a lot more detail when all you're doing is listening to playback, as compared to when you're playing live with other people.
It isn't the fault of the recording that you're sending inconsistent input to the DI.

 

[drewphishesp]

playing back in studio monitor, Im just trying to record practice really so I can listen back to see what worked and whatnot, dont want to get to involved. Im sure i just need to twist some knobs on the amp and stuff spend a little time on it

 

[Fredrik E. Nilsen]

Practice. Practice. Practice.

Seriously, if it goes from barely audible to nice and loud, a compressor is not the solution.

 

[SAlcott]

"......dont want to get to involved. Im sure i just need to twist some knobs on the amp ....."

Control and consistency of attack are just two important hallmarks of good playing.

 

[Matthardy]

This is one opportunity to adjust your style of thinking about this from "turn some knobs" (immediate gratification/no work) towards "practice your technique" (takes some work)

The later is much more rewarding and will address the issue rather than cover it up. If you do not address it, it will come back and bite you one day. When your band is on a limited, paid time crunch in the studio...when a certain room at a gig is unhelpful etc.

 

[MatronMother]

Compression. You can add digital compression in your DAW PRE RECORD as a safety.
Get a Shure SM 57 and try tracking from your csbinet. You will get a better recording without the issues of velocity with rec DI .

 

[honeyiscool]

It’s very easy to add compression in Logic.

 

[project_c]

Definitely compression. Playing with dynamics is not bad technique as long as it’s done with intent. Playing consistently is also important when that’s what is needed, but dynamics are not a bad thing at all. Making every note the same is boring as hell. It’s like speaking in a monotone voice.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

Technique first, compression second.

 

[PraiseBassing]

is there a way to get the levels good for all the diff types of playing you tend to do throughout a song so the louder parts arent super loud and the softer parts arent either

Definitely compression. Playing with dynamics is not bad technique as long as it’s done with intent. Playing consistently is also important when that’s what is needed, but dynamics are not a bad thing at all. Making every note the same is boring as hell. It’s like speaking in a monotone voice.

This doesn’t sound like a situation where just adding compression is the best answer. Adding compression could just lead to distortion during the heavy playing. While I love and use compression, learning to play so that you are controling your dynamics more than a compressor is the best practice, unless you are using the compression as an effect.

 

[bkbirge]

Practice yes of course. Might be a setup issue if volume is inconsistent across the bass. I.e. your fast runs are always in the same spot on the neck and your fat notes are all A or E string.

 

[drewphishesp]

All I literally had to do was give my di volume a few clicks in volume and i was good thanks tho

 

[buddha Longbone]

Technique is the best answer, and what us old folks had to do before compressors. I always have the engineer set my level so I'm not hitting red when I'm playing as heavy as I will during any part of the track, If I'm playing quiet on part of the track, it is because that's what it needs to be. Provided the input sound is clean and good, it doesn't always have to hit close to peak to sound like it should. If your runs are too light, play them a bit heavier, it usually doesn't take much to change that. Or, use a compressor. I'm not a fan of compression because it sounds too homogenous, but I hear it everywhere, so I'm in the minority.