Double Bass Good mic for Double Bass?

[Alexis Duntov]

So I'm in a remote, "layered recording" project for school and I need a good mic to record my DB into my DAW. I can use a regular XLR mic since I'm using an PreSonus AudioBox USB interface into my laptop. I have a Shure desktop mic which is designed for conferences and it's really not a great result. Anyone have any suggestions for a warm sounding mic that records DB well? Also, I have a Gage Lifeline pickup that I can use for DI sound but I want something to capture the acoustics of the room, thump of the wood etc. Thanks!

 

[Sean Riddle]

I've been using an AKG C214 for home recording since the pandemic began. It's a solid workhorse that has a great warm and full sound to it. I highly recommend getting one!

 

[rickwolff]

If you're looking for something that records really well but at a good price I'd recommend the AT2020.

Here is a thread I wrote about it including a sound sample.

A nice new Recording Mic for 0

 

[Wasnex]

So I'm in a remote, "layered recording" project for school and I need a good mic to record my DB into my DAW. I can use a regular XLR mic since I'm using an PreSonus AudioBox USB interface into my laptop. I have a Shure desktop mic which is designed for conferences and it's really not a great result. Anyone have any suggestions for a warm sounding mic that records DB well? Also, I have a Gage Lifeline pickup that I can use for DI sound but I want something to capture the acoustics of the room, thump of the wood etc. Thanks!

Do you have access to any other mics? How much money do you want to spend? There are lot's or great mics, but they can easily get very expensive. If this is a one off project, I would suggest borrowing if possible. Doesn't the school have mics?

You might be surprised by the results you can get with something as basic as a Shure SM57 blended with your Lifeline. Ideally you would probably want to delay the mic a bit in a DAW for time alignment with the pickup.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

My current favorite is a Line Audio CM3, but have also gotten good results with an EV RE20, Studio Projects B1, Shure Beta 57a, and many others. Up to a certain point, it's more about your playing and recording technique than the gear.

 

[LaFaro01]

I have a Line Audio CM4, which works really great with DB, but to "get the room" I would think about using 2 mics. I also own a Aston Spirit, which is also a great mic for Double Bass and the combination is great. I also use a Brauner Phantom, which is my "all-time-favorite"-mic, but it's not really "cheap"... as they are condenser mics, they need phantom power...but as Chris said before... it's more about (my) playing to get a better sound.. all these mics work really fine...

 

[DoubleMIDI]

Ideally you would probably want to delay the mic a bit in a DAW for time alignment with the pickup.

Not delaying the mic but the pickup. The mic already gets a delayed signal by the air traveling of the sound.

 

[Wasnex]

Not delaying the mic but the pickup. The mic already gets a delayed signal by the air traveling of the sound.

Correct . The travel time for the pickup is considered instantaneous and there is a small amount of propagation delay with the mic...my mistake . Thanks .

 

[Ric Vice]

My current favorite is a Line Audio CM3, but have also gotten good results with an EV RE20, Studio Projects B1, Shure Beta 57a, and many others. Up to a certain point, it's more about your playing and recording technique than the gear.

The CM3's now updated to the CM4's are just the best for recording DB. They are designed and built in Sweden. For some reason, I have no idea, their aren't any U.S. retailers that you can purchase them from. At least I don't know of an. So Chris's other suggestions might be easier to get a hold of. I had to purchase

mine from France through ebay and I think that dealer is gone. I have seen used ones on Reverb.

 

[rickwolff]

The CM3's now updated to the CM4's are just the best for recording DB. They are designed and built in Sweden. For some reason, I have no idea, their aren't any U.S. retailers that you can purchase them from. At least I don't know of an. So Chris's other suggestions might be easier to get a hold of. I had to purchase

mine from France through ebay and I think that dealer is gone. I have seen used ones on Reverb.

Recorded Sound Samples?? I imagine Chris has some. Perhaps you could provide a link.

 

[kkenda11]

I also have a CM3 that I use and like. Trialed it against the Studio Projects C4 and Schoeps mk41 and I thought it held up well against both for bedroom recording and live sound.

You can buy the Line Audio mics from nohype (Line Audio - Swedish Made High Quality Audio Products - Available at NoHype Audio)

The CM4 is currently out of stock (they say until October), but I ordered a Line OM1 from them last week and they shipped the next day.

It remains to be seen how long it takes for the mic get from Belgium to NYC via USPS. NoHype told me international shipping to the USA is currently inconsistent and I could expect anything from 4 days to 8 weeks!

 

[AGCurry]

There are many existing threads on this subject. I would need three questions answered before recommending a microphone:
1. How much are you able/willing to spend?
2. Do you have a good room acoustically?
3. How good does your recording have to be?

 

[Ric Vice]

Recorded Sound Samples?? I imagine Chris has some. Perhaps you could provide a link.

Rick,
Chris recorded a couple of demos here on Talkbass, but I don't know if he was using the Line Audio Mics. It's just not something I'm adept at doing I'll leave that to others

who are better at recording, than my inconsistent and meager skills in this area. Digging through Talkbass, with their search engine, is frankly a PITA. Chris will know what he used

and where it is.

 

[Ric Vice]

Recorded Sound Samples?? I imagine Chris has some. Perhaps you could provide a link.

Line Audio CM4

 

[rickwolff]

Line Audio CM4

Thanks, Ric.

Povl shared a link on that thread for a Rode NT4 Stereo X/Y mic. There are some Very Nice recorded sound samples with and without Reverb - WOW, what that reverb does!

https://go.skimresources.com/?id=30...332c0740&abp=1&xjsf=other_click__auxclick [2]

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

On my iPad now so hard to link, but I used a CM3 on the If I Should Lose You track in the YouTube thread, and also for the Sarabande track of the Bach series videos. The Sarabande was a stereo pair IIRC.

 

[Keith Rawlings]

 

[Ric Vice]

Alice was more willing than I. It’s a weird trip.

 

[Ric Vice]

Thanks, Ric.

You’re welcome. Peter Axelsson (Xlson Microphones) recommended I try the CM3’s. He liked using them for recording bass.

 

[bcamp]

I see you're in Brooklyn, very near to the middle of the media world. You should have no trouble finding someplace that will rent you a mic. You'll be able to get a much, much better mic for this recording project for a lot less money than buying. Tell them what you want to record and they can make appropriate recommendations for recording your bass. You can go back later to audition microphones within your price range for future purchase. Also what AG said about room acoustics is every bit as important as your microphone choice. After you get your mic, move you bass and mic around your house until you find a spot that sounds the best in your monitoring system. It's worth the trouble.