Double Bass Mixing Piezo and Mic, my NYE gig experienc

[rickwolff]

For some time I've been just using the Xlson Chuck Israels Mic to amplify my Shen 7/8 Gemunder. I've not had any problems with feedback, perhaps because I play quieter rooms with just piano or piano and a vocalist (rarely drums). The Xlson mic really captures the true sound of my bass and blends well with and compliments the sound of a grand piano.

Last night was a little different. The Country Club we played at didn't have a piano so our pianist brought his Yamaha electric piano. It sounded really nice with a 'good acoustic piano sound', but in the end, it's still an electric piano.

I played the first set with just my mic. My bass sounded 'fine' but wasn't really gelling with the electric piano in the same way it does with an acoustic grand.

On the break, I grabbed another cable and added in my KNA piezo. I was playing through my 'Genzlihur' Acoustic Pro which has two channels with full tone control on each channel (as well as an XLR AND a 1/4 inch input and phantom power on both channels).

I added in just a little bit of volume from the piezo - still depending on the mic for a 'natural sound'. The piezo, however, added significant girth to the tone. The bottom end became something you could feel as well as here. There was also more clarity.

Both the pianist and the singer had smiles on their faces when I added in the piezo. I was able to adjust each channel to sound best for the piezo (on channel one)
AND the mic on channel two.

It was no longer MBOL, but the sound better complimented the overall sound of the group (largely due, I believe, to the fact that we had an electric piano rather than an acoustic grand).

I suppose this is just a reminder that no one setup is optimum for every setting. Whether is the size of the group, the instrumentation, the acoustics of the room, or whatever, sometimes we need to pull a different tool out of the tool bag.

It was a very pleasant gig. I really enjoyed the sound of my bass and thought it was ideal for the situation. I'll still be happy to get back to playing with an Acoustic Grand Piano and just using the mic.

 

[Jim Dedrick]

I use a Clarus 2 channel and always have a Mic in channel 1 and a piezo in channel 2. Most of my gigs are with a drums and piano so the piezo goes up a little more. Since I got the old Tyrol bass, which really has the tone I was after, I try to keep the piezo as low as possible. Turning the bass away from drums helps a lot.

My process is to set everything up, then get channel 1 sounding the way I want. Depending on the room I may add some HPF. Then I turn down the volume on channel 1 and do the same thing with channel 2 (again HPF as needed). Then blend before and adjust the amount of piezo as the gig progresses which is usually louder as the night goes on. Gigs are about 75% piano and 25% electric keyboard. I completely agree, A little Piezo is helpful with electric piano.

Last month most gigs were piano and bass duets. All mic on those and if the room is not too loud I keep the volume down to off so I hear mostly just unamplified bass.

 

[Ric Vice]

I think the key information here is “The Country Club where we played” congratulations on actually playing a gig last night. That’s great!!

Blending microphones with pickups is something I’ve done in the past, but once the Ehrlund EAP was on my bass I only do it FOH for concerts

or live recordings. Someday when I’m out really playing gigs again, perhaps I’ll try it again. Happy new year.

 

[rickwolff]

I think the key information here is “The Country Club where we played” congratulations on actually playing a gig last night. That’s great!!
Happy new year.

I'm apprehensive about going out, but it was a large space with few people who were quite a distance from us. And, my goodness, but it was nice to play again!

And a very Happy New Year to you, Ric.

 

[rickwolff]

Blending microphones with pickups is something I’ve done in the past, but once the Ehrlund EAP was on my bass I only do it FOH for concerts or live recordings. Someday when I’m out really playing gigs again, perhaps I’ll try it again. Happy new year.

Ric, don't mess with success. You've found a setup that gives you just what you want. I'm happy for you.

 

[Ric Vice]

I'm apprehensive about going out, but it was a large space with few people who were quite a distance from us. And, my goodness, but it was nice to play again!

And a very Happy New Year to you, Ric.

Yeah, it is very weird playing out with a RN 95 mask, fogging up your glasses or popping of your face. The drummer at 6 feet as with the rest of the band.
It is nice to play with other musicians for sure and I am a willing participant for everyone’s health and safety, it just reminds me of a time before smoking was banned
in bars and we would come home and wash the nicotine and tar out of our puffy sleeved rayon shirts. I’m just glad I don’t have to read charts in our current environment.