• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Double Bass Mics for recording shootout-- cut n' paste for posterity

#21
Ike Harris said:
Hey Dave-

Thought I heard my name mentioned here! Anxious to hear the latest mix, I'm hearing nice things about it. All the guys are raving about you & the studio. Nice to see Joelton once in a while, too. Re: mics, can't forget the antique on the bottom side, what was the fingerboard one?

iah
Click to expand...
Of course - I used your name because (I'll admit it) I want to be part of the hip crowd like you :)

The lower mic was an RCA 74B, and the upper was a Neumann KM 84, recorded through two channels of Great River NV....

I'll have the ref disks for you and the other guys in the band this afternoon, by the way - it was a fun record to work on, and y'all are a great bunch of musicians and good guys! If this forum allows it, I can post a picture of the mics on your bass if you want...
 
#22
I just finished two weeks in the studio recording a modern swing disc, plus another swing disc. I brought my own mics and recorded them on test tracks. Everyone(musicians and engineer) agreed that my vintage Shure ribbon sounded best. I always record with a mic and a second track using the Full Circle pickup through an Avalon U-5. This is one of the few times that some of the direct track wasn't mixed with the mic track. I've been told that the ultimate bass mic is an RCA 44DX, but they go for big $$$. My mic is always about 15 inches from slightly above the bridge. Only once did I allow someone to record me with a mic(Shure SM-81) wrapped in foam and stuffed into the bridge. It was horrible, probably because of the off-axis response. My main point here is that I believe that ribbon mics are great for DB, but only if you have a good sounding bass. I might also mention that the engineer commented that the Full Circle going through the Avalon U-5 resulted in the best direct sound that he had ever heard. I was still happy that none of it needed to be blended in during mixdown.

George
 
#24
61pollmann said:
times that some of the direct track wasn't mixed with the mic track. I've been told that the ultimate bass mic is an RCA 44DX, but they go for big $$$.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't say that the 44 is the 'ultimate' bass mic - it's lovely, and is sometimes indeed the ultimate, but doesn't suit all basses or all musical styles. Personally, if I had a 44 available all the time, I'd most likely use it on an archtop guitar when recording swing records - Now THAT's a magic sound - a really good Stromberg with an RCA 44 in front of it... :hyper:
 
#25
Big plus one on the Great River NV. I love it. I have one of the very first ones made ---I think it's #00017. In the original blue and yellow Mercenary colors.

Dave, maybe you know. Why did Dan stop making the first preamp? (I can't recall the model number/name) I was gonna get one because they sound so good recording piano--lots of air and a huge soundstage. He just has the NV series on his site now.



bob
 
#26
bassphase said:
Dave, maybe you know. Why did Dan stop making the first preamp? (I can't recall the model number/name) I was gonna get one because they sound so good recording piano--lots of air and a huge soundstage. He just has the NV series on his site now.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure, Bob; Dan and I talked about it, but I am no longer sure enough of his reasons to quote him in a public forum. It may be as simple as choosing not to re-order the parts needed for the MP-2.
 
#28
Dave Martin said:
Of course - I used your name because (I'll admit it) I want to be part of the hip crowd like you :)

The lower mic was an RCA 74B, and the upper was a Neumann KM 84, recorded through two channels of Great River NV....

I'll have the ref disks for you and the other guys in the band this afternoon, by the way - it was a fun record to work on, and y'all are a great bunch of musicians and good guys! If this forum allows it, I can post a picture of the mics on your bass if you want...
Click to expand...

I don't think anyone around here would mind seeing a pic or two, least of all, me.

iah
 
#29
Ike Harris said:
I don't think anyone around here would mind seeing a pic or two, least of all, me.

iah
Click to expand...
Then lemme see if this works...

Ladies and Gentlemen! Here's the lovely and talented Ike Harris (in my control room) with an RCA 74B Low and a Neumann KM-84 high.
 

Attachments

  • Ike.jpg
    Ike.jpg
    15.4 KB · Views: 114
#31
I've found a great combo in the Okatava 219, modded by Michael Joly, mounted to the back of the tailpiece with a bar towel and a couple of rubber bands. I run this into a Yamaha i88x, which supposedly has the same pres as their DM2000 console. This to my ear has provided the best combination of bleed rejection, low and high balance and repeatability. And it just sounds BIG!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back