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Double Bass large diaphragm condenser mics

Sam Reese

Sam Reese

May 27, 2005
1,001
1,002
NWPA
#1
Greetings-
I was reading the 2 threads regarding mounting small diaphragm condenser mics on upright basses in various locations and it reminded me of my adventure with using large diaphragm side-address condenser microphones mounted under the bridge with the diaphragm facing the instrument approximately 2cm from the soundboard. Has anyone else tried large diaphragm condenser mics instead of small diaphragm condenser mics, and if so what was your evaluation of trying this technique? I tried Rode NT1 & CAD M179 and preferred the NT1's aesthetic.
Sam
 
#3
"It is going to feedback like crazy and pick up everyone with 100 feet live."

That is not true. With the capsule so close to the front of the bass, it actually has excellent rejection of noise from outside sources due to its cardioid pickup pattern.
 
#4
I've done a lot of recording and it has definitely been my experience that large diaphragms are more sensitive and less good at rejecting unwanted sounds than small diaphragm mics.

There may be anecdotal circumstances where the opposite is true depending on the mic and other factors, but in general, what I said above should hold true.
 
#5
Sambo said:
"It is going to feedback like crazy and pick up everyone with 100 feet live."

That is not true. With the capsule so close to the front of the bass, it actually has excellent rejection of noise from outside sources due to its cardioid pickup pattern.
Click to expand...

Sambo. I own the NT1 and know it to be true. These mics sound great for studio recording but they pick up everything. I also work as a studio engineer and have done some 'live' (everyone in the same room) recordings. I often use a large diaphram mic on the DB. For the most part there is alot of bleed.

Plus having it close to the top of the bass has the added problem of sound reflecting off the top of the instrument.

Try it though. It might be great. Let me know. If it works I want to try it too.

Also, fill out your profile. Helps folks know who they are talking to. :)
 
#6
Sambo said:
Greetings-
I was reading the 2 threads regarding mounting small diaphragm condenser mics on upright basses in various locations and it reminded me of my adventure with using large diaphragm side-address condenser microphones mounted under the bridge
Click to expand...

I'm wondering how you go about mounting a LDC mic on a bass without having it act like a mute. Many large mics weigh a couple of pounds.
 
#8
20 years later, it's nice to see life goes on...

My early mic'ing experience was also wrapped up in LDCs, I still have 2 old Oktava mk-319's and an AT-2020 sitting around somewhere collecting dust. Never tried them mounted on a DB, but the concept would probably work fine in a compartmentalized studio. I've gone completely dynamic for live stage work since. (FWIW, Sennheiser e604 and a Vic's Model C mounted on my DB.)
 
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#9
I don't mic often, but if I do it live it's with Nadine!
Nadinev2c.jpg
 
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#14
I’ve never really mastered the art of blending a microphone and a pickup. I always end up really enjoying the sound of the microphone.My limited understanding of how to properly blend the pickup and microphone ( a lack of experience in my case) has me favoring the mic every time. I’ve never been able to get a blend where either the pickups tone overrides the microphone or (sorry for the pun) vice versa. I have sent a mic to the house and a pickup to the amp. Just my take however.
 
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#16
Ric Vice said:
I’ve never really mastered the art of blending a microphone and a pickup. I always end up really enjoying the sound of the microphone.My limited understanding of how to properly blend the pickup and microphone ( a lack of experience in my case) has me favoring the mic every time. I’ve never been able to get a blend where either the pickups tone overrides the microphone or (sorry for the pun) vice versa. I have sent a mic to the house and a pickup to the amp. Just my take however.
Click to expand...
In my case there is no amp, just a wedge on the floor. I don’t know much about it myself. I’ve never found a wedge that I liked but I think it’s about 50-50 in the wedge and it’s not bad.
 

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