Double Bass Microphone Stage for Upright Bass

[John Goldsby]

I am a big fan of using a mic, but given all their limitations for live use, I can't see spending loads of money. My experience has been that the 80/20 rule is an understatement when it comes to mics; a cheap mic (say <$200) can get you 90 or 95% of the way there.

Speaking of microphones in the lower price range, I use an Audio ADX-20iP sometimes, with a foam "ball" that the mic slips into. You can see this on the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] page. It's easy to put under the bridge and it sounds good. I'm sure there are distributors in other countries (Audix is a US company, I think).

 

[neddyrow]

True...but every pick-up is different too...
Anyway, what pick-up do you use?

I use a bassmax.

tried:
DPA
Nadine
Erhlund contact mic
Fishman full circle
H-clamp with some different mics
Shure Beta and AKG kick drum mics on a stand
Shure 58 and 57 in foam in the tailpiece
And others I’ve forgotten

the bassmax was always the best sound for my bass - hands down. No feedback with any band I played in no matter how loud things got.

my secret sauce is in the black box/HPF/preamp trifecta for my best tone.

in the studio I’ve used a Neumann but lately when doing live recordings, my bass sounds great going direct out of my pedalboard setup. But that’s just me. I love and hate TB for this. It gave me all the options to try and spend money on but it also led me to exactly where I want to be.

 

[thombo]

This thread is exactly what I am looking for, a big thanks to the OP! Some people have mentioned the Neumann MCM114 and the DPA d:vote 4099-B. Does anyone have experience with the more affordable Audio-Technica ATM350 or Shure Beta 98 in louder situations?

 

[Wasnex]

This thread is exactly what I am looking for, a big thanks to the OP! Some people have mentioned the Neumann MCM114 and the DPA d:vote 4099-B. Does anyone have experience with the more affordable Audio-Technica ATM350 or Shure Beta 98 in louder situations?

Current model is ATM350A. I believe the biggest difference is the ATM350 has a fixed clamp on the gooseneck. The 350A is a system with different mounts and different lengths of goosenecks. There may be some difference in the element as well.

Here is a good comparison with the ATM350 and the DPA


The DPA seems to have slightly better isolation in the video.

 

[thombo]

@Wasnex, thanks for the link, I had checked out that video as well as a few others. I like how he plays with the bleed so we can hear how it picks up background sounds. In similar vein, I also liked "6 Clip Microphones Tested On Double Bass." "Kontrabass Pickup-Vergleich" was great but it didn't have the bleed test.

 

[koricancowboy]

Different mic in each of the photos your provided, so apparently, he uses whatever is available.

The pencil mic may be a Shure KSM137.

The mic in the other photo may be an EV 635A, which is an omni; a model that has been around forever.
Invalid Link Removed

I could be totally wrong.

Pretty sure you’re right. That Shure (either 137 or 141 punches 1000x above its weight class and is a great mic. Not as versatile as a Schoeps but you can get a matched pair of the Shure’s and still have enough for a preamp.

The EV is the most used mic in broadcast interview history. It’s also known as the Buchanan Hammer. You should only refer to it as such from now on please. It’s a sleeper but n instruments for sure

 

[Kristian]

Speaking of microphones in the lower price range, I use an Audio ADX-20iP sometimes, with a foam "ball" that the mic slips into. You can see this on the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] page. It's easy to put under the bridge and it sounds good. I'm sure there are distributors in other countries (Audix is a US company, I think).

Hi John!
Did you ever try the xlson mic? For me it works even better than the Schoeps mk41. Less leakage and great sound. I use it under the treble bass foot and not in front of the the f-hole (as suggested).

 

[John Goldsby]

Hi John!
Did you ever try the xlson mic? For me it works even better than the Schoeps mk41. Less leakage and great sound. I use it under the treble bass foot and not in front of the the f-hole (as suggested).

Hi Kristian, no ... never tried the xlson mic. I don't spend a lot of time trying out new equipment but if I get the chance, I'll check it out. I never put a mic pointed at the f-hole. When I use a DPA, it's directly pointed at the top between the bridge feet. With the Schoeps, It's as close as possible in front of the bridge (maybe 3 - 5 cm — I don't move much when I play), and the inexpensive Audix mic (when I happen to use that) just goes under the bridge with foam. Whatever works for the situation

 

[crd]

I use a Schoeps CMC1L with an MK41 capsule. Not the cheapest solution, but one that actually works! See picture below for mic placement:

View attachment 4826601

Are you able to lay the instrument on it's side with the H clamp on? Can you keep it fixed when you put the bass in it's case? Thanks!

 

[Vunz]

Are you able to lay the instrument on it's side with the H clamp on? Can you keep it fixed when you put the bass in it's case? Thanks!

Yes and yes.

 

[Ric Vice]

The Xlson is kind of a weird duck, since it has no front facing capsule. I demoed it when it was sent around to TB members 6 or 7 years ago. It's a non starter for me
as the H-Clamp is a P.I.T.A on my bass. Seems to me the simplest solution is the DPA 4099 or the new Neumann MCM 114. The DPA isn't the solution on my bass
because it's to bright. Just my take of course. I have a pair of Remic's that I occasionally when I need FOH. You can slip them under the fingerboard, in the bridge arch,
or underneath the tailpiece. I just used my Remic Green at a 500 seat auditorium Friday. I thought it sounded great on stage and the sound engineer really loved it as well.
I'm not the only player who has come through that area of the country using the Remic according to him.

 

[Hasty]

What a great thread. I've got a Remic Green that sounds great but is prone to feedback in some contexts or on a noisy stage. I don't use it as much anymore because my new bass has a bridge that's too tall to support the mic and I don't like it quite as much when it's tucked into the tailpiece or under the fingerboard.

@lurk i know the tonedexter, but i think it's a preamp :/

Don't underestimate the power of the ToneDexter, to simply call it a preamp is an understatement. That's probably one of the best purchase I've ever made. It took me a while to master the tone I wanted, but it makes the bass sound like it has a high end condenser or ribbon mic built into the piezo pickup. The sound quality truly boggles my mind.

 

[Happy Steve]

@Hasty I had a tall bridge which did not fit the Remic. I solved that by sticking a square of that hard felt* under the arch of the bridge - * the type you put under the feet of chairs to stop them scratching wooden floors. Very light weight, self-adhesive and easy to remove.

 

[Ric Vice]

What a great thread. I've got a Remic Green that sounds great but is prone to feedback in some contexts or on a noisy stage. I don't use it as much anymore because my new bass has a bridge that's too tall to support the mic and I don't like it quite as much when it's tucked into the tailpiece or under the fingerboard.

Same for me, I get the most accurate reproduction wedging the microphone into the bridge arch.


Unfortunately, around five years after Remic released the Remic DB 5400 and 5400LB, they had the epiphany that basses have different height bridges, tailpieces, and over stands.
so they now have added a "Concerto" model of both microphones with a taller foam wedge.

As far as I know, Remic has yet to address the fact that the wedges may eventually have to be replaced, because they tend to warp. So far so good with mine. Just my take of course

 

[Hasty]

so they now have added a "Concerto" model of both microphones with a taller foam wedge.

I forgot about those. Also a great point about the lifespan of the foam.

 

[Ric Vice]

…..Also a great point about the lifespan of the foam.

‘Yeah, it’s not something that keeps me up at night, mine are fine. Just one of those little questions I think about once and a while.

 

[Hasty]

‘Yeah, it’s not something that keeps me up at night, mine are fine. Just one of those little questions I think about once and a while.

I normally only think of it when I'm trying to fit it on the bass... The tip of mine sometimes gets a bit squishy and looks like the Hogwarts sorting hat, but it always seems to return to normal by the next use.

 

[elmer]

I have a Remic red (the cheaper one) that sounds great under my bridge. On one bass with a taller bridge I just put a slice of foam between the Remic and the top of the bass. Works great and doesn´t stay on your bass when not needing the mic.

 

[AgostoMortal]

Need or want?

I threw too much money down this hole and went right back to a piezo.

every bass is different
every venue is different
every sound engineer is different
every mic is different
everyone's tastes are different
every player is different

I could go on. Unless you really need a mic, stick with your pickup and get a preamp, HPF, Sarno black box (I use all three) and find your tone that route. Much easier to control and less headaches and stress at every gig. Just my $.02

...and my bass has never sounded better!

Yes, I agree 100%, in my case Full Circle with Alix pre amp. Unless! you have to play arco..then there is no escape to the mic option and the nightmares return.ha. So the solution is not to take gigs with arco (unless its all acoustic, like classical)

 

[Jeff Kissell]

I just spent 3 plus weeks on a tour with a borrowed, Full Circle equipped Chadwick. I brought the Bartlett condenser with me. It went to FOH with the FC into a backline amp/DI with mostly FC in my wedge. The Bartlett was a winner in this situation. The FC alone was very direct and dry and the Bartlett really warmed things up and was easy to use. I ended up with great sound on a marginal bass and it could get loud. I personally think the Troll sounds better and that is what I use on my bass, but flying with a mic that fits in a sunglasses case and is on and off the bass in 2 seconds is pretty convenient.