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Double Bass Looking for some advice: new mic versus new amp, or something in between

Basschair

Basschair

..............
Supporting Member
Feb 5, 2004
2,523
24
Stockton, Ca
#1
Hi all,

Quick lowdown:
70% arco, 30% pizz
12 y/o custom Wilfer with setup and C extension my Matt Bohn (who is the man...if you're on the Central Cal coast, he's the luthier to go to).

I've got an original AI Contra and it's a cool little amp. It gives me the extra presence for my main ongoing church gig. I'm mainly using a Schertler Stat-B with the simple pre (volume pre), though I do also have a Realist on there under the low string bridge foot that I use from time to time.

I'd really like to get some more volume from the amp, but more than that I'd really like to get the straight-up sound from my bass. I'd like to hear its natural sound.

So, here's my options as I see it (assuming I stick with AI):
1. Get a new AI Coda+ and blend both pickups to hopefully get a more well-rounded sound, along with it being louder.
2. Get a Contra EX cabinet for more volume and be content with the sound I'm getting now.
3. Get a Contra EX and a DPA 4099 (along with a phantom power supply) for the extra volume and (from what I've read) a great true sound from the mic.
4. Your suggestions. I can't afford a new Coda+ and the 4099 together, nor the Coda R and the 4099...fyi.

I do play the slab bass as well, but I've got that amplification covered with my Eden setup, so I'm hoping to keep this conversation limited to amps that are more suited for DB.
 
#2
Basschair said:
... more than that I'd really like to get the straight-up sound from my bass. I'd like to hear its natural sound.
Click to expand...
Basschair, then I'd suggest using a mic. So I would vote for your option #3.

P.S. I used one of the Series I Contras for a good while, and the extension cab with it sometimes too. The EX cab won't give you gobs more volume, rather just more of the same Contra sound. Having two cabs does give you more options just in terms of where you can place them.

Enjoy
 
#3
Disclaimer: I'm doing research on mics myself, as well as something to blend pickup/mic, and I've still got a bit to learn. Anyway, you could also consider getting a less expensive mic and something like the Ultrasound DI Max to do the blending.
 
#7
Basschair said:
There is a drummer in the group, but I'd read that the dpa 4099 was super directional and didn't pick up much of anything other than the bass...any idea if this isn't the case?
Click to expand...

The DPA has very good off axis rejection, that said I'd try it out with your drummer and see what you pick up. Some of the time it's the actual body of the bass reacting to the drums and coming through the mic directly in the front, in that scenario you will still hear the set in your mic.

Ric
 
#8
Ric Vice said:
The DPA has very good off axis rejection, that said I'd try it out with your drummer and see what you pick up. Some of the time it's the actual body of the bass reacting to the drums and coming through the mic directly in the front, in that scenario you will still hear the set in your mic.

Ric
Click to expand...

Ah, gotcha. In your opinion, is there a rule of thumb for just how much distance you should put between yourself and the drummer? I'm about 8 feet away from our drummer (to his right and slightly ahead of him) who is enclosed in plexiglas side walls meant to give some isolation/dampening. I haven't noticed any drum sounds coming through my amp, but then again...I probably wouldn't, since I'm so close to the drums. Hmmmm...
 
#10
Basschair said:
Ah, gotcha. In your opinion, is there a rule of thumb for just how much distance you should put between yourself and the drummer? I'm about 8 feet away from our drummer (to his right and slightly ahead of him) who is enclosed in plexiglas side walls meant to give some isolation/dampening. I haven't noticed any drum sounds coming through my amp, but then again...I probably wouldn't, since I'm so close to the drums. Hmmmm...
Click to expand...

Well, in that case I would think that the drum set bleeding into your mic wouldn't be that much of a problem. Personally, although I'd love to just use a mic I always have a pickup blended with the mic. I have had problems with the AMT picking up the set in outdoor concert settings. In those situations I think that the DPA might have fared better because is it's pickup pattern.

Ric
 
#11
Basschair said:
Ah, gotcha. In your opinion, is there a rule of thumb for just how much distance you should put between yourself and the drummer? I'm about 8 feet away from our drummer (to his right and slightly ahead of him) who is enclosed in plexiglas side walls meant to give some isolation/dampening. I haven't noticed any drum sounds coming through my amp, but then again...I probably wouldn't, since I'm so close to the drums. Hmmmm...
Click to expand...
I could be all wet, but I think you'd be just fine given what you said here. There is probably no rule of thumb. Depends how much acoustic sound one gets from the bass, what type of mic, how loud the drummer is. Yes there are a lot of variables. But just turning the bass so the mic is not directly facing the drums should help a lot. That's what I do. I get to their side, and slightly behind them if I can, and turn the bass slightly away from them. Being in the "nook" of the piano is important to me too. But with the drummer behind a plexiglass shell, ... your monitor may be more of an issue.

I just love the mic'd sound. If you go with option #3 and it doesn't work out, let me know and maybe I can take that gently used 4099 off your hands. :D
 

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