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Getting the Newstead treatment?

#21
I'l give it a chance and see how it all turns out. If the finished product still sounds off I'll bring it up. We plan on getting into a legitimate studio soon, just doing some promo stuff at home. From what I'm hearing it' easier on post if I go direct so since I'm not the one who has to do the work in post I'll do what' easiest and worst case I'll just sound better live.
 
#22
Recording direct like that usually sounds good and is going to be transparent. It's easier to add something later than it is to remove it.

This: "If he wants a direct bass signal you can put a DI before the amp and record both signals at the same time."
Yup, get a DI with tone shaping and gain on it and have at it.
 
#23
let me guess... heavy rock, nearly metal AAAND the BL is the guitarist? run... you will never get them to understand that bass drives the band, not the guitar... no matter how low or detuned it is.... if you can find one, try a huges and kettner red box... inline D.I. from load level speaker output... it then plugs into your mesa cab... best of both worlds
 
#24
so I assume you're not a hired gun. If you we're, I'd still tell them that if they Mic the cab and maybe mix it with the DI they'd get better results. and yes if you're a hired gun you are expected to nail it in 2- 3 takes and they have the right to decide if the take is good or not. you gotta learn your parts.

now if you're a 'band' band, that's a whole different story.. I'd never ever put something that I'm not happy with on an album. I'd of course listen to my band mates' suggestions, but I'd be the one saying the last word about my parts.

either way, a nice talk with the band is the best thing to do. just let them know that you're aiming for the best, be positive and tell them to try what you think at least. If you're right, they'll like it too. good luck.
 
#25
Id get involved in the songwriting and come up with parts that are so integral to the song that when the playback button is hit...it just doesnt sound right....till the bass is boosted...might be an ego thing but ,,,it will work....now...just invent those parts.
 
#26
Are you not happy with the final mix or are you not happy with what you're hearing in your headphones/monitors while recording? If it's the latter just have them dial in a tone you like for your playback. That helps me a lot. You get to hear yourself the way your used to and they get their direct signal they can edit later.
 
#27
I've recorded bass many times both ways. I much prefer direct in. With how nice some plugins are these days, you can really get any sound you want. Also, it's nice to have a very dry signal to have options later on.
 
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#29
Nobody questions that technology exists to get a good bass tone by going direct, that's a pretty established fact. The thing is, this player (the OP) has a live tone he likes and prefers to use and it takes 15 seconds to mic up a bass cab (in addition to a DI). A lot of it depends on the type of music, but I'm guessing by your rig that it's a rock thing (not something Leland Sklar Joe Osbourne would be recording, generally) . In that case, I think the engineer should respect your preference even if the bandleader can't hear the difference. Then again, I have annoyed a lot of engineers over the years about stuff like this. Also, you can always re-amp.
 
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#30
#1 - Just have an honest talk, away from the rest of the band about it. You'll find his true colors really quick. Part of recording is finding the right sonics for the situation. This means trying different setups, and there is no single correct way to do it.

#2 - Every guy with some recording gear in his house thinks he's the next George Martin. Usually they aren't. Just because he owns the board doesn't mean he knows how to "make" records. See #1.
 
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#33
Americana and folk rock actually lol.again, I'll take a listen when it' all said and done, I am the full time bassist in the band, and it' different with songs in our gig list, but when they throw new stuff my way I like to study it and play around with it on my own before putting something down for good. I'm a terrible session player and there is a reason I've never been a bassist for hire. I prefer practiced and researched parts as opposed to winging it.
 
#35
I usually do a DI signal and a Mic at the same time. I find that it works for me but others like just mic'ing or di. Honestly, Id basically talk to them in a conversational manner. Dont sit down specifically to have a debate about it, just mention that you'll need a mic and a DI and that the album is gonna be sick.
 
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#36
Most bands are not lead by bassists, therefore we end up as bit part players, especially in the studio, where we are a necessary evil. I'm as bad as anyone that way if I'm not playing bass especially. The percentage of people who notice a bass part in any recorded song is very, very small. Just go with the flow, it's part of being a bassist.
 
#37
GBBSbassist said:
I've recorded bass many times both ways. I much prefer direct in. With how nice some plugins are these days, you can really get any sound you want. Also, it's nice to have a very dry signal to have options later on.
Click to expand...

Recording direct allows you to use plug ins (as stated above) and/or re-amping in post production. It also forces one to play accurately and articulately, and not rely on one's amped tone to hide inconsistencies in one's playing. That said, if they are just laying down the first track you play and calling it good enough, the over-all product is likely to wreak of the same amateurish smell and not go very far anyway.
 
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#38
Tommygun_ted said:
Americana and folk rock actually lol.again, I'll take a listen when it' all said and done, I am the full time bassist in the band, and it' different with songs in our gig list, but when they throw new stuff my way I like to study it and play around with it on my own before putting something down for good. I'm a terrible session player and there is a reason I've never been a bassist for hire. I prefer practiced and researched parts as opposed to winging it.
Click to expand...

It's all good with this type of music. No distortion needed. I think you'll find that direct input sounds very pleasing.
 
#39
My previous original band had a full time sound guy who could not have cared less about the FOH bass tone. He'd spend an hour on the drums and guitars, and when he was ready for me, I'd play for a few seconds, then he'd cut me off and say "got it." It turned into a joke among all of us after awhile. I chose to not worry about it, providing I could adequately hear myself onstage.
 
#40
So I guess I'm not understanding the issue..

You guys are self recording, right? Would it be that much of an issue for you to come in and lay down another track, then listen to both versions?

On the other hand, if it is just for demos, is it really that big of a deal? If you're going to go to a real studio for "release" tracks, that's when you should be concerned about your tone.

Ideally you do both - play with different versions in your basement to determine what will give you the best results in the studio.
 

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