How do you record a drop D or C bass line?

[crow01]

I have been writing some songs in drop D, also trying out some of those system of a down songs in drop C.

But that string is too loose and the bass sounds awful. There is a lot of fret buzz or fret fart or whatever that is called.

What can I do to make this sound better?

Update:
Thanks all for the postings but as someone noted, I am looking at how to record the bass. Not into buying a new bass or the preference between standard tuning and drop d, or a 4 and a 5 string.

I mean look at that guy from system of a down, I haven't seen him play a 5, and yet the bass on the albums sounds pretty tight.

So far it seems the solutions are:

- Thicker strings and full setup
- What about EQ, effects, mics, any that would help on that matter?

 

[Dave Bassincus]

Either get thicker strings, or a bass with a longer scale.

 

[zao144]

I play in drop B all the time so i know its pain in the ass sometimes. I noticed that when you press down harder with your fretting hand it helps to eliminate some of the fret buzz. Also you can try putting a hair tie around the neck, up by the headstock.

It could have just been my bass but, I had to have my neck adjusted so I could get really good intonation in drop B. Good luck...

 

[Nick Kay]

Full setup with thicker strings. I wouldn't even ATTEMPT Drop C with less than 45-105. Taking it easy on the right-hand attack helps, too.

 

[John Wentzien]

bigger E string.

 

[Vic Winters]

GHS makes Boomers in .50 - .115. They help a bit.

 

[kenlacam]

stop being lazy and buy a 5 string already. I'm tired of people insisting on the "Drop D" thing. it is so lame.

 

[bhass]

stop being lazy and buy a 5 string already. I'm tired of people insisting on the "Drop D" thing. it is so lame.

:scowl:

 

[KsPiNeSh]

stop being lazy and buy a 5 string already. I'm tired of people insisting on the "Drop D" thing. it is so lame.

Even with a 5 oftentimes the B is tuned down as well...

 

[Burlington]

stop being lazy and buy a 5 string already. I'm tired of people insisting on the "Drop D" thing. it is so lame.

I'm tired of people insisting on the "5 string" thing. it is so lame.

 

[Sahm]

stop being lazy and buy a 5 string already. I'm tired of people insisting on the "Drop D" thing. it is so lame.

How is detuning and learning different fretboard patterns lazier than having another string already conveniently there? I own a sixer BTW, so I'm not dissing the basses, just don't get how one setup is "lazier" than the other.

And dissing someone for their preferred setup is lame.

You don't like it? Don't do it!

 

[whoatherechunk]

Well I'm recently a concert of drop tuning. Is major drop tuning of a 4 stringer bad? I mean I'm not covering huge ground notes wise. Its pretty simple stuff. I don't need 5+ strings but would I benefit from investing in one to achieve better tone?

 

[bggeezer]

Even with a 5 oftentimes the B is tuned down as well...

To what? What's lower than bottom B and still audible?

 

[fivestringgecko]

You know, I kind of agree with ken... although I would've put it in more diplomatic terms.

I see these "detune" threads and find myself wondering the same thing. I play 5-strings and have never had to stray from standard tuning. Edit: Okay, I take it back... I ONCE tuned down a half step (Bb Eb Ab Db Gb, 35" scale bass) for a piece in Bb I played with my church choir. 12-14 voices, keys, 2 guitars, drums, 2 trumpets, a flute and percussion. For that particular piece, I just played low... just wanted to stay out of the way and reinforce what was going on.

Jamming with some people once, I was waiting for the guitarist to start a song and he was actually waiting for me to tune down. He gave me the funniest look when I said I didn't need to... He kept looking at me while we were playing and apparently just couldn't believe me. My mental dictionary will have a picture of him next to the word "guitard" from now on. lol

5sg.

 

[lavmonga]

I'm not a big 5'er supporter, but if you're gonna drop to C, I mean you may as well just buy one.

 

[dannster]

stop being lazy and buy a 5 string already. I'm tired of people insisting on the "Drop D" thing. it is so lame.

Some of us weren't born with "Salad Fingers".

Actually if you think about it, a 5 string is the lazy option.

Just strings sells singles so pick up a .125 or .120 and slap it on for your E (adjust bass as necessary). Or hell, GHS I see has a .145. Then you can drop to the center of the earth with that one. One String and an allen wrench or two are is a bit cheaper than a 5 string bass.

 

[cusar5]

To record in drop Bb, I had to learn to play better. Seriously - once I evened out my picking and started playing with a lighter touch it became much easier to control the unwanted floppiness of a detuned string.

 

[Charling]

How is detuning and learning different fretboard patterns lazier than having another string already conveniently there? I own a sixer BTW, so I'm not dissing the basses, just don't get how one setup is "lazier" than the other.

And dissing someone for their preferred setup is lame.

You don't like it? Don't do it!

agreed, are you saying they are lazy for not working to afford a 5? thats the only way I can see it being 'lazy'!

 

[seven ate nine.]

To what? What's lower than bottom B and still audible?

Drop A!

Some death metal bands like Impending Doom and Whitechapel ( I'm pretty sure Whitechapel plays in drop A) play in that tuning.And yeah, most of the time its really hard to distinguish pitch, especially when you hear it live. But whatever, I dig that kind of stuff.

 

[seamonkey]

Pitch shift.

You normally have to buy a pitch shift tool, Melodyne, auto-tune, v-vocal anyhow for the singer.

VG-99 can do pitchshift live per string but I'm holding out for the stringport
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