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muddy live sound...

#21
Yeah I've tried that. It's just the bass. Like I said, part of it is my fault for not putting on new strings as often as I should, but I don't have $30+ to be dishing out (40 if I want the DRs I love) every couple months you know? I do appreciate how thorough you guys have been in what could be the issue and solution to this problem. :)
 
#24
Just trying to give you some no-cost solutions (right-hand technique, practice unplugged, practice with headphones, fix the neck problem, don't put oil on the strings, etc.) you can try before you throw money at the problem.

For what it's worth I haven't changed strings in 10+ years and nobody has ever described my playing as "muddy." :)
 
#25
Mushroo said:
No no no, you are completely missing the point of the exercise! :) Practicing unplugged is not so you can watch TV at the same time, it is so you can be very quiet and really focus in on the acoustic sound of the instrument. If that's not happening, then buying a "pod" (whatever that is) will not fix it.
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I have to strongly disagree with this.

My opinion on this subject (as well as the opinion of several others who know way more than me about sound and bass) is that you should not practice unplugged.

The danger in practicing unplugged is that you can wind up "playing the strings" and you get used to the sound of the higher frequency string and fret noise and play in a different way than you would plugged in, and it can really hamper your ability to control the massive low end you should be putting out live (I'm using "massive" comparatively here).

If you practice plugged in, you stay familiar with how your bass sounds plugged in (which is how it will sound live at a show or in a recording). And you learn to control the low end that you won't hear at all unplugged.

Not only are our ears not as good at hearing low frequencies as higher frequencies, it also takes a lot more power to reproduce them. When you play unplugged you really only hear the upper harmonics. You miss out on a lot of the low end that your bass would be producing amplified.

Anyway, neither I or Mushroo are right, we each have our own opinion. YMMV.
 
#26
Mushroo said:
Just trying to give you some no-cost solutions (right-hand technique, practice unplugged, practice with headphones, fix the neck problem, don't put oil on the strings, etc.) you can try before you throw money at the problem.

For what it's worth I haven't changed strings in 10+ years and nobody has ever described my playing as "muddy." :)
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Well I defend that it isn't my playing because they say its muddy while sound checking, not to mention in a mix. :/ hitting an open E or A for example or playing at 80 bpm (I'm guessing) 1/4 note just hitting the note relaxed and changing to a different note higher or lower on the fret board, muting it or letting it ring out. It's just muddy from the get go. That's why I'm seeing what are the options for the gear (free then something to buy), and not so much on my technique, although I appreciate the wide range of possibilities. Like you said, its possible to have old strings.


And to be clear, I practice speed and scales (theory, fret board and exc) unplugged because that isn't necessary for that, but just my opinion. I've seen evidence of it from the bassist I mentioned so that's why I mimic it.
 
#27
Fair enough KingRazor, I can only say that the exercise has helped me tremendously and leave it at that.

However the reason I brought it up in this context is that, when you're trying to troubleshoot a tone problem (muddiness in this case), it's good to start at the beginning of the signal chain (the unplugged instrument itself) and then methodically work through the preamp, cable, effects, EQ, power amp, speaker, etc. until you find the problem.
 
#28
That's a wise way of problem solving and ill try to keep that in mind in the future. It's easy to get confused and have no idea what it is (whether bass, soundboard, drums exc) and forget to check the bassics.
 
#29
Mushroo said:
Fair enough KingRazor, I can only say that the exercise has helped me tremendously and leave it at that.

However the reason I brought it up in this context is that, when you're trying to troubleshoot a tone problem (muddiness in this case), it's good to start at the beginning of the signal chain (the unplugged instrument itself) and then methodically work through the preamp, cable, effects, EQ, power amp, speaker, etc. until you find the problem.
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I understand. :)

It isn't inherently a bad thing to practice unplugged, either. I just wanted to point out something to watch out for.
 
#30
Dont use lemon oil on strings. I got a little on a new pair of strings once by accident and they went DEAD.

The only thing I would recommend for cleaning strings is soaking them in denatured alcohol for a few days.
 
#32
Gearhead17 said:
Try turning the Tube Gain all the way to the left for a little less mud too.
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Turning all the way to the right will give more tube growl to the notes - more definition. The left position is more compressed and warmer sounding. I got that wrong.

The gain light lighting in the red means the head is getting enough signal. Turned too low, and the sound will be more compressed and cleaner. The dirtier character allows the notes to sit in the mix much better.

DR makes a good string, but I feel the midrange content is not that great on them. SIT Power Steels along with Labella Hard Rockin steels have the bright factor along with more midrange content.
 
#37
Oreobass said:
While were at it.... Can someone explain what 34' and 35' is, and what like when someone says "19mm" means?
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The ' sign indicates feet (12 inches or 30.48cm) and is not used to measure any part of basses that I know of; maybe you are confused with the " sign which measures inches (2.54cm). The mm sign indicates millimeters (0.039 inches). Hope that clears up any confusion!
 
#38
Oreobass said:
While were at it.... Can someone explain what 34' and 35' is, and what like when someone says "19mm" means?
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19mm is used to describe the spacing between strings on a bass.

Scale length - I might not write this correctly, but it will be close - it is basically the playable surface of string starting at the nut and going all the way to the bridge. Your average P or J Fenders are 34" scales and the majority of basses fall right here. Certain basses are 35" and the extra one inch increases the tension on the strings - little stiffer feeling. The extra stiffness changes the way the bass feels while playing and in many cases allows the strings to have more tension when tuning lower than BEADG.
 

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