Mike Dirnt sound

P-bass, tube amp and you should have a similar sound

 

P-bass with roundwound strings + ampeg all tube amp or sansamp.

 

P-bass, new strings, and a tube amp. That's as far as many people will give you. Try adding some mids. I use a Spector Legend and a Fender Bassman combo to get a pretty convincing Mike Dirnt tone when my band does the occasional Green Day cover.

 

You're not really going to get that sound from a software plugin.
The sound he gets is from playing loud with a pick through an all tube amp. If that's not something you've ever experienced before, it can be hard to describe.

Generally the best EQ settings for that kind of tone are just set flat, and have a great amp. I don't think messing with the EQ in AmpliTube is going to achieve anything.

 

I read an interview (probably in Bass Player) where he said he specifically likes to boost the 2kHz frequency.
That sounds right for his type of tone.
Whether or not you can boost that frequency on your gear depends on your amp and EQ. 2KHz is high mids to low treble.
I don't know what frequency your treble is centered at but a lot of modern amps have it high (GK has it at 7kHz) and cranking it can screw up your sound. I also don't know what frequency your mid control is centered at but generally speaking, cutting your mids too much can make your sound disappear in the band mix.
Mike Dirnt has a focused sound with not a lot of lows but also not a lot of high treble. Go for the 2kHz. You mentioned having an EQ, I'd definitely try using it.
You have a p-bass which is good. I'd advise low action - let it buzz and grind.

 

It was in total guitar bass special where he said something like " I love that 2khz".. but he has allso said that now days eq on his amp is set allmost flat. I saw a picture of his current setup (fender) and eq was flat except bit reduced at 300hz.
I have that total guitar somewhere.. I try to find it cos there he speaks a lot about his signature bass and how he gets his tone.

 

Not a bad sound. Now to recreate it through an amp with a band.

 

Dude you have a really good punk tone there, and i you've ever heard of the band Anti-Flag, at the beginning of the song "Stars and Stripes", the bass sounds exactly like yours
and it does sound Mike Dirnt-ish to me also

 

In the mix, it may help to boost your mids a tish. It'll help your sound "cut" a little better. And yes... I'm trying to use the most ambiguous terms possible.

 

not bad, but i feel like dirnt has just a tad more bass/low mid and a wee bit less treble. But really, you could pass with that sound.

 

Green Day tunes in drop D as well, so best to keep that in mind. If I remember correctly, mike tends to pick behind the pickup when he plays, or at least used to when dookie came out (gives a higher tone), but then again back then he used to use a gibson ripper or grabber (different tone entirely). As for software and eq settings... I don't know about that, so I won't try to give any comment on those things.

 

I can't add anything to the above comments regarding how to get his tone, but I just went to the Green Day concert in DC last night and I have to say that the bass sounded grea - it clearly cut through the mix and you could feel it in your chest. Overall, it was a great show.

 

When I used to play a lot of punk, I really boosted the lower mids on my Squier P and seriously, set your action low because the slight buzz tonally makes a difference. I play about 1/4 of the way between the pickup and the bridge. Try getting some natural overdrive by having the gain high, but adjusting the natural volume to your liking. Oh yea, and pick the hell out of those notes.

 

I'm pretty sure he tunes to E flat standard.