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My recording conundrum

Jfever

Jfever

Guest
Feb 28, 2015
84
8
49
#1
Ok i'll make this short and sweet...


  1. I don't want to mic a bass speaker if I don't have to
  2. I don't want to be loud as I have a home studio
  3. I do want a punchy bass sound that hits you like a kick drum
  4. I have outboard pre-amp (BMAX-T) and a Sansamp BDDI (picking up today) also a manley dual mono pre that has instrument inputs that I can use
  5. I was thinking of using the sansamp/bmax-t and purchasing markbass studio 2
  6. If step #5 doesn't sound good I was planning on buying a speaker to split DI and mic'd speaker but have reservations
  7. If I was to do step #6 it would mean that I have a budget of 500$ and may or may not be able to use the mics I currently have (SM-81, AUdix5i, Rode NTK)

So if I go with a speaker what is a cheap enough speaker that can give value. If I can go without a speaker please tell me the magic bullet config/gear.

THANKS!!
 
#4
One more thing. Which chain do you suggest?

  1. PassiveBass->SANSAMP->Pre-Amp->DAW->EQ->COMPRESSION
  2. PassiveBass->Pre-Amp->SANSAMP->DAW->EQ->COMPRESSION
  3. PassiveBass->EQPedal->SANSAMP->Pre-Amp->DAW->EQ->COMPRESSION
  4. PassiveBass->EQPedal->Pre-Amp->SANSAMP->DAW->EQ->COMPRESSION
 
#6
I've recorded bass a few different ways.

1. I've ran sans direct into mixer. Result was very clean but missing oomph. Had to do much to the signal after to help it stand out in the mix.

2. My amp has an XLR out that allows me to leave my signal effected if I choose. This has been the most successful, I run some compression on the mixer and in my recordings doing it this way I've done nothing but adjust volume in main mix.

3. This is a little hoopty version I came up with when I was too lazy to move my amp to where I was recording. I had a cheap Line 6 15 watt guitar amp. I ran the bass on a clean channel with slight gain for a little growl and the eq settings flat. Typically had to adjust eq for better sound after (amp only had bass/treble f that) downside is that Spider doesnt have line out, at least not the tiny ones. Had to use head phones out and adjust volume accordingly. Also, in my case, my usb interface won't allow live playback if sending signal to be recorded... had to run old school via analog outs to sound card to get that functionality.

Hope this was helpful
 
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#8
Jazz Ad said:
What I'd do is record one channel clean, straight to the board (say, from the parallel output of the SansAmp) and the other from the Sansamp with Blend at 100% and enough Drive to get a bit of compression already.
Then blend, EQ, compress to your liking on the DAW.
Click to expand...

This is great advice for the OP's situation. Simple, easy to orchestrate, no major phase issues to deal with, and allows plenty of options at mixdown.
 
#10
Part of the fun in learning how to record is trying different things. Try all the scenarios you listed and noting the results. You may find something new and exciting, or you will know next time what not to do.

Have fun!
 
#11
I tried the SANSAMP into 2 preamps. 1 unaffected 1/4" out (to the more colorful of the preamps the BMAX-T) and the other with the affected signal to the other preamp (a Manley mono pre). I adjust the sansamp but don't get enough girth/punch/growl.

I will take the advice of Jazz Ad, I don't want to have to go buy a amp head if I don't have to.
 

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