Double Bass good mic for home studio recording?

[tony moore]

can anyone recommend a good mic for home studio recording?

my bass is an old kay that was modified with a solid top at some point, strung with obligatos and i play pizz and arco.

my recording rig isn't fancy either, just a protools mbox into an imac.

thanks!

tony

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

I use two of [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] to record duos in the music room in my home. I like 'em. The "Sparrow" duo soundclips on my site are an example of how they sound. There are of course cheaper (and more expensive) options, but I auditioned a lot of mics before settling on these.

 

[Vic Koler]

can anyone recommend a good mic for home studio recording?

my bass is an old kay that was modified with a solid top at some point, strung with obligatos and i play pizz and arco.

my recording rig isn't fancy either, just a protools mbox into an imac.

thanks!

tony

I prefer the Neumann U47fet when I have access to one. I have a U87 which I use most of the time.

I also own a pair of the Oktava MK012 and have had excellent results using it on bass. The Oktava is a very affordable mic which is similar in response to the Neumann KM 184.

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[tony moore]

the oktava 012's were a great suggestion. they were affordable and sound great. thanks!

tony

 

[diglo]

Audio Technica 4033/4033 classic is a good all around mic.

 

[Marc Piane]

I like the CAD stuff. I also really like the AT 2020 when recommending a good but very affordable mic. Invest in a shock mount too. It doesn't come with one.

 

[riimodar]

the oktava 012's were a great suggestion. they were affordable and sound great. thanks!

I own a pair of Oktava mk012. While I agree it is a great mike for its price and I use it regularly (e.g. for organ or harpsichord recordings), I cannot recommend it for bass. Listen to the following samples:

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I think a small diaphragm microphone will always lack the soft breathing low end. AFAIK, all mikes made specially for the bass drum are of larger diaphragm. I think the same is needed for a double bass. Of course, the fact that a microphone has a large diaphragm does not automatically mean it is suitable for bass recording. The following sample was taked with HAT800, which is a cheap China valve mike, but it lack the low end as well:

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Besides the AKG 414 I can double the recommendation for U87.