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interface
- Thread starter icarus88
- Start date
I don't have any issues recording bass with a Focusrite, though there are better units out there such as RME.
When I record, I use the DI output from my amp most of the time. Sometimes I go straight into the INST input on the Focusrite for convenience. The gain is the same either way, but I prefer the tone from my amp's DI.
The playback level AFTER recording is not a function of the input gain. It's a combination of the DAW settings and the monitor speaker settings. If you need maximum output from your recording, try normalizing the track.
When I record, I use the DI output from my amp most of the time. Sometimes I go straight into the INST input on the Focusrite for convenience. The gain is the same either way, but I prefer the tone from my amp's DI.
The playback level AFTER recording is not a function of the input gain. It's a combination of the DAW settings and the monitor speaker settings. If you need maximum output from your recording, try normalizing the track.
I'm connecting directly to the interface, I think I'll need to get a preamp
After recording, the bass level is so low that it is not even heard (on a mobile phone) i am not using amp simulator or something
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Which model of Focusrite? I've never had a problem getting decent volume even from my low-level instruments. The input level knob has never had to go past 10:00.
This is user error. A Scarlett is capable of clipping the output stage DA when used with a bass of common or typical output. If you clip the DA your signal in the DAW will be 0dbfs. It doesn't get any louder than 0dbfs, only more distorted and heavily clipped. You might not like the sound of it when pushed, but that's a different topic entirely. Most professionals use a standard input level based on their needs. I use -12dbfs as my go-to. In a 24-bit environment there's no benefit to recording louder as you have a theoretical 144db of gain above the noise floor to turn it up in the box without any sort of penalty.
Is there a way to get a louder recording from the bass guitar? I couldn't find much information. I have read your post on this forum that the Scarlett's built-in preamp had a low volume level for passive bass.
RME are of course a great choice, but also horribly expensive (justified price though). Motu is close to the top, while being low to mid price point. I use a Motu M4 currently, which is 10x better at everything, than my Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 2nd used to be. I've spent a couple weeks researching interfaces before pulling the trigger on that one. The Motu is overall the best, because it doesn't suck at anything, but it's pretty good at most things. Most interfaces have a weakpoint or two, even some of the top ones. RME is bulletproof and just generally the best, but in a lower budget, I don't think anything can match the Motu.
Thanks for the information. The important thing for me is that the bass guitar's volume is high after recording (enough to drown out the other instruments).
Turn the bass up, or turn up the input gain up on the interface. Those are the only two controls needed. What type of bass is it? Unless it has an unusually low output there's no reason you shouldn't be able to have more than enough signal into your DAW.
The preamps in the Motu are clean and potent. I don't have any problems with any of my basses, usually being at 30-40% gain. I also use my SM57 as a vocal mic, which is not particularly easy to run because it's a dynamic mic and my voice isn't loud, but I can run the gain at like 80% to have a good amount of gain even for library loudness. Important thing, the preamps don't start distorting as you turn them up. They stay clean the whole way through. The headphone amp is decent, the outputs for studio monitors or such are considerably more potent than those of a Scarlett (my monitors are at 30% volume and the interface is at 40-50% for normal loud volume). You also have direct monitoring, which you can turn on and off for each individual channel, and blend with the computers signal. You also have a gain meter, which shows exactly how close you get to clipping in real time on the interface (Scarletts have these rings, which are not particularly accurate I feel like, and don't indicate very well).
a passive bass, beginner level (Squier PJ), gain is at maximum ( until i get a yellow light) ableton,Ableton input volume 0 DB or -8
As long as it's working properly there should be no problem. Plug it into the 1/4" input, hit the instrument button, turn the volume all the way up on the bass, and turn up the channel gain until the intended level is reached.
I do as you say, actually the sound is high when I listen to it on headphones but it is very low on the phone speaker. I will record and upload it to YouTube.I guess it's because I don't use any amp simulation or preamp.
Yes, please post a link. What you're describing is confusing. Also, to be clear; You do not need an amp simulation or a preamp. You may want one for tonal reasons, but one is not necessary for proper input gain staging.
