Whats the best way to record?
also, can someone mention a good program for recording bass, where i can layer several tracks?
also, can someone mention a good program for recording bass, where i can layer several tracks?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
Most effective: Plugging bass straight in computer or having microphone hanging near?
- Thread starter Demon
- Start date
Plug into an interface then a computer. Interfaces can be had for ridiculously low prices these days so there is no reason to try to record through your computer's sound card.
Try Reaper at cockos.com for a very good, easy to use program to track. Also try out the Ampeg SVX demo from IK Multimedia for some absolutely marvelous bass tones.
Try Reaper at cockos.com for a very good, easy to use program to track. Also try out the Ampeg SVX demo from IK Multimedia for some absolutely marvelous bass tones.
I might, but as of now, icant even afford a new plectrum if i wanted one. So what would be the best current solution? I downloaded Audacity to record,but i still dont know whether to go directly into the computer or a microphone.
What kind of soundcard do you have? Do you have an active bass, a preamp of some sort, or a preamp out on your amp?
If you do, plug straight into the mic input on you soundcard.
If you do, plug straight into the mic input on you soundcard.
My bass is active, and has preamp. Not sure about my soundcard. Its nothing fancy for sure. Imean, its probably not totally worthless, but im sure its not too good either.
- Feb 27, 2005
- 3,218
- 125
- Disclosures
- Full disclosure, I'm a certified Fender technician working in a music store that carries Fender, Yamaha, and Ibanez products among others.
If you have a mic with an 1/8" out, don't use it. It's meant for Karaoke or voice communications. Since your bass is active, you can use it with no preamp into the line in on your soundcard.
Don't plug your bass into your mic input. Impedance mismatch will cause it to sound awful, and may overdrive unpleasantly, to boot. Plug your bass into the line in. This may require a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter, which doesn't cost much more than a plectrum if you don't already have one.
Don't plug your bass into your mic input. Impedance mismatch will cause it to sound awful, and may overdrive unpleasantly, to boot. Plug your bass into the line in. This may require a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter, which doesn't cost much more than a plectrum if you don't already have one.
Line in it is then.
Nearly all sound cards have:
1 line out (1/8" stereo)
1 line in (1/8" stereo)
1 mic in (1/8" mono)
Go from your bass amp line out (or DI) to the sound card line in. You'll need an adapter to go from the 1/4" mono instrument cable to the 1/8" stereo input jack. They cost a little more than what a new plectrum costs, but there's no way around that.
Avoid using the mic input as it will sound like crap unless you have a good microphone capable of picking up a wide frequency response, in which case you'll need a mic preamp or mixer to go with it and the one built onto your sound card doesn't count. Any microphone that will interface directly with your soundcard is automatically low quality.
Only go direct from instrument to computer as a last resort (like if you don't have a bass amp and can't beg, borrow or steal one).
Audacity is good for free software.
1 line out (1/8" stereo)
1 line in (1/8" stereo)
1 mic in (1/8" mono)
Go from your bass amp line out (or DI) to the sound card line in. You'll need an adapter to go from the 1/4" mono instrument cable to the 1/8" stereo input jack. They cost a little more than what a new plectrum costs, but there's no way around that.
Avoid using the mic input as it will sound like crap unless you have a good microphone capable of picking up a wide frequency response, in which case you'll need a mic preamp or mixer to go with it and the one built onto your sound card doesn't count. Any microphone that will interface directly with your soundcard is automatically low quality.
Only go direct from instrument to computer as a last resort (like if you don't have a bass amp and can't beg, borrow or steal one).
Audacity is good for free software.
I do direct with my bass and it sounds good. I have a 1/8 cable, and one end I have a 1/8 to 1/4 which goes into my bass. I record into Garageband and it sounds pretty decent for something that costed about $1.50. I'm sure there are better ways to record but if you're just doing these for fun it'll do 
Then again I just have a passive Fender so I dunno if the same apply to an active bass.
Then again I just have a passive Fender so I dunno if the same apply to an active bass.
I have never had any problems going directly into the soundcard via the line-in or mic-in with a 1/4 to 1/8 adapter.
If you choose the mic-in and it sounds overblown, check to see if the mic boost is selected. If so, deselect. Conversely, if you are not getting much signal, select the boost and you should be good.
However, instead of plugging directly into the sound card (Bass to card) - I have a cheap Phonic mixer that I run to the line-in on the soundcard and I plug my instruments and/or mics into the mixer. Saves having to dive down and deal with the back of my computer where the in/out of the sound card is located.
--tz
If you choose the mic-in and it sounds overblown, check to see if the mic boost is selected. If so, deselect. Conversely, if you are not getting much signal, select the boost and you should be good.
However, instead of plugging directly into the sound card (Bass to card) - I have a cheap Phonic mixer that I run to the line-in on the soundcard and I plug my instruments and/or mics into the mixer. Saves having to dive down and deal with the back of my computer where the in/out of the sound card is located.
--tz
