Double Bass Incredible MIC COMPARISON BY SWEETWATER with audio clips

[rickwolff]

A guitarist friend of mine just sent me this. I think it's quite impressive.

Choosing the Best Mic for Upright Bass - with Sound Samples | Sweetwater

 

[rickwolff]

Listen to all these samples. In addition to the difference between mics (sometimes rather subtle), it's amazing to hear how much of a difference in timbre you get with a change in mic placement.

In particular, listen to the two samples of the DPA 4099 and also of the AEA R44CE.

 

[sean_on_bass]

Thanks for sharing! What is really interesting is that there is pretty drastic change in tone when the bass is solo between the mics, but when the band actually kicks in the difference is much more minimal. Also want to say that the Full Circle held it's own pretty well...makes me want one

 

[longfinger]

Well done article!

Hearing the recordings is a treat, and the prices at the end are fun..

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

57!!!

 

[jlmorgan84]

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the sound of a sm57 wrapped in a towel, especially in the context of the other instruments.

 

[Ben Rolston]

How.
Does.
The.
Full.
Circle.
Sound.
That.
Good?????

 

[rickwolff]

Well, if we've learned one thing from this it's that there is a wide diversity of opinion among us TB'ers.

For me, I didn't like either the FC or the 57. Different strokes, eh?

 

[sean_on_bass]

How.
Does.
The.
Full.
Circle.
Sound.
That.
Good?????

Totally. I was like...what are they doing to it?

 

[Jim T]

Unfortunately for me, it made me want the Telefunken and the Neumann ...

Great post, and article / test. So many variables.

 

[sean_on_bass]

Well, if we've learned one thing from this it's that there is a wide diversity of opinion among us TB'ers.

For me, I didn't like either the FC or the 57. Different strokes, eh?

Admittedly they were kind of the worst of the overall lineup, but when you consider what they are they sound pretty good. The FC being a piezo style and the SM57 being in everyone's sock drawer. Once the full band came in they held their own pretty well. The mid range honk sounds like sheet on it's own but in the context of a full band mix actually sounds good.

 

[rickwolff]

Admittedly they were kind of the worst of the overall lineup, but when you consider what they are they sound pretty good. The FC being a piezo style and the SM57 being in everyone's sock drawer. Once the full band came in they held their own pretty well. The mid range honk sounds like sheet on it's own but in the context of a full band mix actually sounds good.

Well put. I agree.


That said, I'll be sticking with the Xlson Chuck Israels Mic

 

[rickwolff]

• I hadn't scrolled down and seen the prices until now.
• 
  
• Perhaps the Xlson is a 'moderately priced' mic at 'only $1K'.
• 
  
• 
  Telefunken U47 Large-diaphragm Tube Condenser Microphone
  4.5(5 reviews)
  • $8,995.00
  • + FREE Shipping
  Learn More
• 
  Neumann U 47 FET Collector's Edition Large-diaphragm Condenser Microphone
  5.0(7 reviews)
  • $3,999.95
  • + FREE Shipping
  Learn More
• 
  AEA R44CE Ribbon Microphone
  5.0(6 reviews)
  • $2,799.00
  • + FREE Shipping
  Learn More
• 
  Shure KSM353/ED Bi-directional Ribbon Microphone
  5.0(1 review)
  • $2,695.00
  • + FREE Shipping
  Learn More

 

[LaFaro01]

Game changes too, if you use the bow...
but the comparison is really interesting and I state looking to myself, that I like most the "large diaphragm sounds"..

 

[Carl Hillman]

A guitarist friend of mine just sent me this. I think it's quite impressive.

Choosing the Best Mic for Upright Bass - with Sound Samples | Sweetwater

I liked the U47s and the AEA & WA-84 combo.

Too bad they didn't offer the option of a blind test, so you can pick what you like before knowing what mics they are.

 

[dkziemann]

Unfortunately for me, it made me want the Telefunken and the Neumann ...

Great post, and article / test. So many variables.

Couldn't agree more. Every other mic sounded nice, but these, to my ears, were the clear winners. Price matches the tone.

 

[oren]

That’s a very nice comparison - thanks for sharing!

I like the Neumann the best of all, and I also rather like the way the KSM 353 sits in the mix.

I’m not surprised that the 57 sounds thin when pointed that way with the soundboard off axis. Would be interesting to hear what it sounds like on a stand like the others.

 

[Matt Ides]

My cheap condenser mic wrapped in a towel between the bridge and belly has done wonders for my home recording sessions. Is great that they tackled this.

 

[Ric Vice]

" Perhaps the Xlson is moderately priced at 1K" indeed it is among that group of microphones. I agree with you that the AEA 434 and the DPA 4099B sound really good as well as the ARA R84, Warm Audio, and the venerable Neumann U47. but the only one of those

microphones that is designed for live performance is the DPA 4099 Dvote Core. and for my money the Xlson blows it away tonally, plus you can record with the Xlson and get a wonderful sound. The Neumann, AEA's, and even the Warm Audio are really studio recording
microphones and not ideally suited for live performance.

 

[chuck3]

Very interesting, thanks for posting it. I agree with the comment above about how things change when the other instruments come in. Some of the tones I didn't think sounded that great with the bass playing solo, I changed my mind when the other instruments came in. How it "sits in the mix" is a real thing, I guess.