Analyze a few good quality recordings of the band and try to find gaps in the low end of the spectrum. Audacity (freeware) is very suitable for doing so. If you can fill those gaps with your bass, you'll be fine. 
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Going into battle vs. distorted guitars
- Thread starter DoctorZee
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Tech21 DP-3X and a P-Bass. I vow for that! Thank me later!Over the years I've mostly played with groups doing lighter rock, pop, acoustic, piano, etc. For the first time I'm now playing with a group with two distorted guitars and, whoo boy, my usual bag of tricks isn't cutting it yet. I still have some tinkering to do with my amp and EQ, so I haven't given up... but I am indulging some mental GAS exercises in case I need a Plan B
What pickup configuration would be your weapon of choice, going into battle against two distorted guitars in modern/alt rock?
There is very interesting interviews with dUg about his approach and I have tested years and really am sure it is the only answer!
He has a HUGE mid cut, compressed lows and really drastic highs. This sets him below and above the frequencies of distorted guitars. Believe me, it just works.
Over the years I've mostly played with groups doing lighter rock, pop, acoustic, piano, etc. For the first time I'm now playing with a group with two distorted guitars and, whoo boy, my usual bag of tricks isn't cutting it yet. I still have some tinkering to do with my amp and EQ, so I haven't given up... but I am indulging some mental GAS exercises in case I need a Plan B
What pickup configuration would be your weapon of choice, going into battle against two distorted guitars in modern/alt rock?
barking up the wromg tree. I think you should be looking into upgrading your Amp. but if you think pick up configuration is your problem. I 'd look into going active. I've had a good experience with actives keeping up with noisy guitars! even having them ask if I could turn down a little!... ( i just chuckled
back in that rare moment of irony.)
This is often the case for the heavy stuff. Fieldy of Korn did a similar curve and process to his tone.
I just felt really sorry for the engineer that had to mix bass drum, 5 string bass and two 7 string guitars. That's a lot of info down low to sculpt.
I see no reason why a P bass with flats cannot handle the situation you describe. But some flats will probably work better than others. I survived for years in a band like yours playing a P bass with TI flats--very versatile strings which can easily be EQ'd to be quite cutting/growly or mellow/warm, depending on the situation. I would think that other less old school flats, like Fenders, Chromes, Dunlops, and Ernie Ball Cobalts, would also be able to handle your needs, as long as you have someone with ears on the front desk.
Sorry if I have the quoting mechanism wrong. Anyway, I had a similar problem, obviously a lot of us do, but after trying all the mid boost stuff, cobalt strings, quarter pound pickups, what helped the most was realizing that both guitarists had their low eq's way too high, because they liked that sound when practicing alone. I was boosting mids like crazy to punch through. In reality they just needed to let the low end guy be the low end guy.
This is a great response and exactly what I do playing in a band with 2 scooped guitars covering 80s thrash and 90s grunge. Basically, your scooped EQ is offset from their scooped EQ and you cover the frequency spectrum without stepping on each other. If you are more of a modern djent type, the answer may be different for you.
Yep, TLDR version: Work together, talk to each other, and stay out of each other’s way in the mix.
All the gear in the world won’t help if you can’t do that.
Here is my pbass with Chromes recorded through an SVT and 8×10. The guitars definitely stomp on it when they come in but you can still feel it and detect a little of the attack granted this is mixed well. The engineer carved out some space for me down low.
Your fit into the band depends on your frequencies. The rhythm guitars should be dead center (pretty much) of mid range freqs. Your high end should meet with them and your bass should occupy the freqs from the lo mids on down. Once you get that figured out, there shouldnt be volume wars.Over the years I've mostly played with groups doing lighter rock, pop, acoustic, piano, etc. For the first time I'm now playing with a group with two distorted guitars and, whoo boy, my usual bag of tricks isn't cutting it yet. I still have some tinkering to do with my amp and EQ, so I haven't given up... but I am indulging some mental GAS exercises in case I need a Plan B
What pickup configuration would be your weapon of choice, going into battle against two distorted guitars in modern/alt rock?
My recipe for metal is a P bass, overdrive, boosted lows and highs, more volume, and a pick (you can skip the pick if you can thump and pluck really hard, and you can affect a rapid double-pick sound). You can add other things, this is just my starting recipe.
I've never dealt with two distorted guitars in the mix though, just one. You're probably just going to have to crank up the volume knob. Two distorted guitars can create a crap load of mid range noise that can easily bury almost everything else.
I've never dealt with two distorted guitars in the mix though, just one. You're probably just going to have to crank up the volume knob. Two distorted guitars can create a crap load of mid range noise that can easily bury almost everything else.
Over the years I've mostly played with groups doing lighter rock, pop, acoustic, piano, etc. For the first time I'm now playing with a group with two distorted guitars and, whoo boy, my usual bag of tricks isn't cutting it yet. I still have some tinkering to do with my amp and EQ, so I haven't given up... but I am indulging some mental GAS exercises in case I need a Plan B
What pickup configuration would be your weapon of choice, going into battle against two distorted guitars in modern/alt rock?
I voted P and H because single-pickup basses such as Fender P and MusicMan Stingray have worked better for me in dense mixes. They seem to have better punch/focus.
Pickup(s) and pickup location(s) is a huge factor in the tone chain -- much more so than the woods used to build the bass, active/passive, etc. That said, pickups aren't the only factor. Your amp and speakers make a huge difference, so do your pedals/fx (if you use them).
Another factor: how the guitars are voiced. If the guitars are scooped for huge heavy metal tones, then punchy bass tones should work. If the guitars have punchy mids then you might consider scooping your tone so you sit above and below them, but maybe you could go for a different mid voicing.
If all else fails: VOLUME!
I use a J.
I'm both the guitar and bass player in my band.
My guitar amplifier is a Mesa Dual Rec. It has a bit of scoopage to the midrange and for some reason, the J I happen to have seems rather focused roughly in the area that is scooped in the Dual Rectifier so I somewhat stumbled onto complimentary tones.
The bass seems to cut through well enough for counterpoint melodies, but it also blends almost seamlessly with the guitar when I need it for just reinforcing hard chugs on chords and such. It does this really good job of both standing out and blending in.
Works great for a number of styles.
I suppose for others the choice would depend on similar factors that may not necessarily mirror my own setup. A P bass or other might be better suited to playing with other types of guitars / amps.
I'm both the guitar and bass player in my band.
My guitar amplifier is a Mesa Dual Rec. It has a bit of scoopage to the midrange and for some reason, the J I happen to have seems rather focused roughly in the area that is scooped in the Dual Rectifier so I somewhat stumbled onto complimentary tones.
The bass seems to cut through well enough for counterpoint melodies, but it also blends almost seamlessly with the guitar when I need it for just reinforcing hard chugs on chords and such. It does this really good job of both standing out and blending in.
Works great for a number of styles.
I suppose for others the choice would depend on similar factors that may not necessarily mirror my own setup. A P bass or other might be better suited to playing with other types of guitars / amps.
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