That's the way to use distortion on bass. Similar to Geddy or Squire, cuts through but has lots of growl and a heavy sound like a diesel engine under load.
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Is distortion normal for live performances?
- Thread starter SwagAttack
- Start date
That's the way to use distortion on bass. Similar to Geddy or Squire, cuts through but has lots of growl and a heavy sound like a diesel engine under load.
if anyone can tell me that Lemmy or Geddy don't cut through the mix, i'm all ears lol. Then again, so does Steve Harris. Truthfully, the way you set your tone and volume relative to how the other instruments are set is what determines if you cut through, distortion or no distortion.
problem occurs when using d.i box when using distortion...see,d.i.boxes never act as good as microphones when you put distorted signal through it,so,you either split signal and have clean bass coming through di box,and distorted signal being picked up at the amp with a microphone,or just use microphone,although i personally favour using both di and mic.plus,I never use that much distortion anyways,only on couple of songs..
welllll.... i use a lot of distortion, more fuzz than distortion, and a good di's going to send it fine. i agree that it's PREFERABLE to be mic'd, but i've had good results being di'd with distortion and fuzz. helps if thr sound person knows what they're doing.
I always wondered why things like speaker simulators weren't more popular among bassists who prefer the mic'd tone. I prefer a mic myself, but the future seems to be moving towards direct sounds: wouldn't a speaker simulator be the ideal compromise?
I haven't used one, but I wouldn't mind trying a palmer unit just to compare.
Something like the VT bass is made that much more awesome because it already takes that into account.
I haven't used one, but I wouldn't mind trying a palmer unit just to compare.
Something like the VT bass is made that much more awesome because it already takes that into account.
The idea of distortion on a Bass signal is very subjective, especially considering the forum that this question has been asked in; the effects denizens (myself included) will probably say YES, but we all spend far too much on flashing lights and foot-switches and are just a little bit influenced.
Perhaps a better question would be, "Is distorted bass normal for a live performance of [insert genre] music?". Just don't ask about metal...
In all seriousness though, no it isn't. Out of the many gigs I've played and been down ranging a diverse span of genres, it is not the norm for a bassist to use distortion. However, it sounds great when used tastefully.
Perhaps a better question would be, "Is distorted bass normal for a live performance of [insert genre] music?". Just don't ask about metal...
In all seriousness though, no it isn't. Out of the many gigs I've played and been down ranging a diverse span of genres, it is not the norm for a bassist to use distortion. However, it sounds great when used tastefully.
I would say 80-90% of the national acts I have seen this year (4+ festival style concerts and mulitiple single performances ) use some kind of distortion or drive effect on bass. I personally don't, but a new band I'm with has it on some of their songs with their old bassist, so it looks like I will be. Usually. The distortion isn't full blown distorted bass, but enough to give a good growl. Some do do the full on distortion thing and it has its place also. Just my. 02
Regarding the OP's original link... I don't think it would matter one way or another what the bass tone sounded like. There was no bottom end there but the kick drum anyhow. Sounded to me like the bass tone was intended to sound more like a guitar than to be meaty.
