Just a general bass recording question.

I play of a Fender Jazz with SD vintage pickups and have a Ashdown solid state rig. This problem has been with more than just this setup but I put it out there just as an FYI.

When I've recorded, which I've done at home and in studio setting with my guitarist who is working on engineering and mastering, I've noticed a kind of problem with the bass on the final track. Although I normally play with a bunch of high mid's (although I use half-wounds to get a more thumpy, old-school tone), when I hear the finished recording the bass sounds too "bassy", like it is blowing out the speakers rather than sounding like clear bass. This problem has gotten better since we have been refining our recording techniques but I still feel like the bass isn't clear and crunchy enough, just too boomy for me. I know this question probably requires a lot more knowledge about exactly how we are recording but I figured if I have this problem some other people have had similar problems and wondered how they handled it and what caused it. Thanks !

 

I've not like DI in the past because I feel like I don't get my true cab sound...But lately I've realized that my built-in DI in my amp may not be clean and that may be why. I've always just recorded off my cab but maybe I should give DI a chance. Does it come through as more of a clean sound? I like the definition of the low ends on the bass I just don't want the boom that distracts from the actual bass tone.

 

i will check all that out and try out the direct next time i record.

btw, what kind of music do you all play? i'm always curious to know who I'm talking to. everyone here seems to have really good advice but most bassists these days tend to be kind of rubbish so it's funny. not that i'm accusing anyone of being rubbish here but just being inquisitive. i should probably get a better handle on recording though, im more of a live bassist.