Getting the Best Recording Possible (Should I use a DI Box?)

[Steviewevie95]

Hey Talkbass users!
My question is: Should I use a DI Box for recording?
Right now my rig is nice and I have no need (nor want!) to change anything. I'm currently using:

Ampeg SVT 7 Pro
Ampeg Classic 8 X 10 cabinet
Ampeg BA 210 Combo w/ Scrambler (my main recording amp right now do to being able to get the dirty channel and clean channel mix)

PreSonus Mixing Board (my recording guy would know more about the model)
When I record I have trouble pin pointing my live tone that I absolutely love and most people tell me they think its very good. I'm wondering if I should just go DI Box like a Sansamp Pedal or EBS Microbass? I'm new to the recording process and I don't have much knowledge, I just want to get the bass tone I use live (I'm willing to accept if that is unrealistic...)

 

[Yango]

There's a DI built into the back of your amp.

 

[Humbled]

If you think your amp might be crucial for "your sound", Put your amp in an iso booth and let the studio mic it with whatever the engineer suggests or that you both end up liking, likewise let them DI it direct to the board with one of their DIs, (assuming they have quality stuff) and record both simultaneously. See which one, or perhaps some mix of both, you like. If you still don't like the result after a few tunes, say so, but I'd go with what they suggest to start.

I usually just record bass direct, and I bring a Countryman 85 and a JDI, just in case I'm not happy with the studio's house stuff.

 

[Yango]

Is there an issue with the DI built into your amp? Doesn't work, don't like how it sounds or just didn't know it was there?

I'm just wondering why you feel like you need to buy another DI. If it's just GAS, well then break out your credit card and buy a REDDI.

From a Bass Player review in 2010:
"...Out back, the feature party continues... and the TUBE DIRECT OUTPUT is full-featured, with PRE and POST-EQ switching, a ground lift, and a sensitivity switch. There are also RCA jacks for blending with an external audio source..."

Full review here:
Ampeg SVT-7PRO and PRO NEO PN-210HLF | Bassplayer

 

[Steviewevie95]

When it comes to my amps I'm slightly clueless... But I knew they had direct outs for plugging into a board, the signal doesn't quite sound the same which is really starting to bug me. I may need to just fiddle with it more but I never thought of trying the isolation to see if I can get closer to the tone I'm after.

 

[Bass Growler]

I use an MXR bass DI+ with an xlr cord into an M-audio Fasttrack interface, and that works great recording with Protools.
For the guitar I plug straight into the interface, and use the Sansamp plugin for guitar sounds.
That software is so great sounding, I have no need for mic'ing amps anymore.
It saves a lot of hassle.

 

[And I]

Take a DI signal from the bass and blend it with the right mic positioned well in front of the amp. Blend to taste. It will be "your tone" while still giving the mix engineer flexibility by providing the DI signal.

 

[joebar]

a good DI is invaluable because occasionally, amp DI's aren't always up to snuff.
I found this out when I stopped using my amp DI live and switched to a better external one; it was a radical improvement in everyway.
I can only imagine how good a REDDI is.

 

[Steviewevie95]

Thanks for all the information guys! Also those REDDI Di Boxes are super expensive, is there any other tube based DI that would work? Or should I just swing for a REDDI and not settle for something that doesn't sound as good?

 

[seamonkey]

Don't assume it takes a "tube" or "transformer" to sound good.
Just put your bass straight into the audio interface to get the cleanest signal as possible on the track.
Then post process it. The whole world of processing is open - VST or hardware.
If you have a clean track you have a much better chance of post-processing or re-amping to get the exact tone you want.
Once you get dirt in, it is much harder to take it out than to just start clean and non-destructively add processing and bounce it to another track.

 

[gotfunk21]

My 2 cents. If you're new to the recording process as you mentioned, keep in mind that what you perceive as your sound in a "live" setting may be very different from the same amp settings in a studio environment. When you're live, you're usually cranked and hearing bleed from a full mix of the band, the house PA and adrenaline. You also have the room and stage to account for sound. You 'feel' the bass in your feet and body. You may also be playing the 8x10 live, but recording with the 2x10. Not sure based on your OP.

When you isolate that same tone in a studio setting, especially if you hear playback of your bass iso'd through headphones, it's a very different experience.

To echo what some previous posters have said... I think the best thing is to send a DI line from your head (or a line from an external DI) along with a mic'd signal from your bass cab mic'd. If you have an 8x10, you have extra speakers and I would (if it were me) love to have 2 different types of mics on the cab too. One maybe like an SM57, and another like an AKG D112. A solid dynamic mic and a "bass drum" style mic. This (along with a DI line) would give you a lot of of options in post during mixing.

Just keep in mind that your "tone" is not just your amps settings. It's a combination of many things that can exist externally from your own chain. Ultimately, to answer your question specifically, if you love your live tone you don't want to go with just a DI. If you do, at least go with a REDDI or something similar that will respect your playing. Otherwise, mic'ing the cab will get you the closest. You may have to experiment for the room and trust your recording engineer to help get what your ears hear onto record. YMMV