Ltd B-205-SM recorded sound

[CrazyEdo]

Hello all, I got a Ltd B-205-SM bass a couple of months ago, and I've been recording it on my various projects using bass cab emulation plugins (I don't own a bass amp) with acceptable results. But although I managed to make it sound fine with processing, since day one I have been suspicious about the sound of the instrument when recorded dry without any plugins. I know direct recording is never superb and at first I thought it could be normal, but I was never sure. I don't have any other bass to compare with. In attachment, a short clip of a dry and direct recording of my instrument straight into a MOTU interface. The EQ are all in mid-position, pickup knob in middle position as well.

In addition, today I stumbled across this recording posted on this forum where someone recorded the same bass direct into its recording interface, and got what I think are better results than mine. I think it has an overall fuller sound:

I would need your expert ears to tell me whether the direct recording sound quality I am getting seems normal, or if something appears to be wrong and if so, what it could be. I could go replacing batteries, replacing strings, even replacing pickups, but before I start doing all that I'd like to first know if I really appear to have a problem or not.

Thanks in advance.

 

[GTHintz]

Sounds like a bass. Lol but honestly I like the burpy punchy tone it has. Ive been looking at these for a long time. I have too many basses already but I'm thinking about buying one so I feel better about selling a couple of mine that I don't play much. What string spacing is yours? Also if you're not satisfied with the tone then I should mention that pickup height, neck relief, intonation, string action height really matters for what kind of tone you want.

 

[CrazyEdo]

Thanks GTHintz.
I believe the string spacing of the Ltd B-205 is 17 mm. To be honest, I didn't knew before you asked, my answer is based on this forum post, assuming the fretless version is the same as the standard one: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/esp-ltd-string-spacing.1381410/

To be clear, I was not saying I am not satisfied with the Ltd B-205SM bass tone. I have to say the instrument itself is top notch and beautiful looking. I was mainly wondering whether the raw base sound of the bass on which I apply cabs simulations was proper, I had a feeling something was subpar.

To show what I can get from it, I attached the same clip from the original post, but with an Ampeg SVT suite plugin on it. This is mostly how I treat my bass recordings nowadays. It satisfies me at this time, but I am just wondering whether the input to the plugin is proper or if it should be better.

 

[GTHintz]

I'm sure it's the same bridge so it'll be the same spacing. I'm used to Ibanez and Warwick tight spacing so sounds like I'd be fine on this too. But anyway I like the raw tone you get with it. Definitely play around with the setup and strings because you never know what you'll stumble on. I typically spend a long time messing with that but once I find the spot I like on a certain bass I it's always very rewarding. For how you play there's always a sweet spot. A lot of times it's just a couple minor changes. Finding the strings that bring out the best in what you want the bass to sound like always helps.