Double Bass New Chuck Israels Mic Video and Sound Samples

[rickwolff]

I just got the 'Chuck' back from its travels and look forward to putting it through its paces.

For starters, I put it on my Shen 7/8 Gemunder and recorded a little clip with three channels:

1. The Chuck Israels Mic through my Genzler Acoustic Pro amp using the POST-EQ DI

2. The Chuck Israels Mic through my Genzler Acoustic Pro amp using the PRE-EQ DI, and

3. The Onboard Zoom Q8 recorder mic (this has typically given me the best recorded sound of my bass, and

The video recording is a blend of all 3 signals, the individual signals are in the files below.

 

[rickwolff]

I just listened to this and it sounds like I may have overloaded something somewhere in the signal chain - getting a little distortion on some of the low notes. This was not audible through the amp as I was doing the recording. I may have to just pay more attention to my levels.

 

[Acoop]

The third, mono mic, is very nice and clear.

 

[rickwolff]

My takeaway after listening to this again is that for recording gigs live I'm going to use the Pre-EQ DI to the recorder. It's a nice clean, clear sound that, if necessary, I can add a little EQ to in 'post'.

The Zoom mic sounds good, BUT being that it is about a foot in front of the bridge it picks up more effect of the room - which results in a little echo, or boominess. The Chuck mic, by sitting just an inch or less off the table is a more direct sound but still with the benefits of being a true 'air mic'.

I'm glad to discover that I prefer the pre-EQ sound to the recorder, as this will allow me to mix the KNA piezo with the mic to give me a fatter sound which works well live, while at the same time getting the pure mic sound to the recorder. (On the Genzler amp the Post EQ DI blends channels 1 and 2, whereas the Pre-EQ DIs are separate for each.

 

[rickwolff]

A LITTLE MORE 'NOODLING' WITH THE CHUCK ISRAELS MIC

I ran the Chuck through my Rane 3 channel parametric EQ and just tweaked it a little bit. Used channel 1 as a 'high pass filter', channel two - slightly boosted the low bass, channel 3 gave a little boost around 1K. Recorded into the Zoom from the Pre-EQ DI on the Genzler Acoustic Pro.

Here is a little clip and I am pretty happy with what sounds like the 'real acoustic sound' of my bass. I am looking forward to recording a couple trio tunes with some friends soon.

Edit: I just listened again to my original clip of the Chuck straight into my amp and out the Pre-EQ DI to the Zoom. I don't know that I really accomplished or added anything in the clip above by using the Rane EQ unit. I may have hit the point of diminishing returns. I think I'll be fine just running the Chuck straight into the Genzler and using the Pre-EQ out for recording and I can do whatever I need to with the Genzlers onboard EQ (and also blending a piezo) to get the right 'live gig sound'.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

Yes, keep it simple (imo).

 

[rickwolff]

Yes, keep it simple (imo).

Povl, Re: 'Keeping it Simple'. I just got the Chuck Israels Mic back from another trial road-trip (I have now super-glued it to my bass so I can never send it out again). I placed it right over the f-hole as Peter Axelson had suggested. I then ran it Straight into my Genzler Acoustic Pro Gollihur Model set Completely Flat (except I totally turned off the high knob which cuts above 7500 Hz which makes No Difference to the bass sound but only invites bleed and feedback. It sounds so much like my bass that I'm not sure if I could tell the difference in a blind listening test - it's That Good !

Also (as I have posted in another thread) I recently changed my top three strings to Obligatos, leaving the SWeich on the E. I am practicing a lot more acro these days, and the arco sound through this setup is delightful.

 

[Ric Vice]

Once agian, beautiful playing, georgous sounding bass. Actually, I prefer the Post EQ example lots of low end, very full sound. The Pre EQ is less full but

sounds quite good as well and would likely sit better in the mix with a drum set and piano. Love the sound of the mic on your bass. It's quite a bit more

challenging on my bass. Not to long after I did those first recordings of the Xilsson a pice of the edge of my Mirecourt broke off, while I'm not exactly certian

what caused it, I'm inclined to think that the H Clamp stressed the edge of the top, and fatigued that spot. So, alas I'm just not able to use this particular mic,

but it sounds great on your bass Rick. By the by, send me your address, I found a piece of the H-Clamp that Peter sent out with his microphone.

 

[Nathan Levine]

Didn’t think to experiment with this but the Xlson could potentially be mounted with two rubber bands ala the Troll method if ones bass wasn’t HClamp friendly. I guess Rick could approximate placement under the bridge with the HClamp easily enough. How much experimentation with placement of the Xlson have you done Rick?

 

[Ric Vice]

Didn’t think to experiment with this but the Xlson could potentially be mounted with two rubber bands ala the Troll method if ones bass wasn’t HClamp friendly. I guess Rick could approximate placement under the bridge with the HClamp easily enough. How much experimentation with placement of the Xlson have you done Rick?

Nathan,
While that certainly is a viable option, mounting a Xlson. I don’t think I’d want to mount it that way on my own bass. The Remic’s both mount so easily and sound so good I can get a great sound. Until we can come up with a viable mount, the Xlson just isn’t an option.

 

[rickwolff]

Ric,
You and I have always been in complete agreement on the idea that 'No single piece of bass equipment is right for every bass and every bassist.' That applies to strings, pickups, microphones, pre-amps, amps etc. etc. etc.

Part of the challenge is finding those things that work for you, personally. I know you are very happy with the things you have, that they work well for you and give you the musical results you are looking for. You are very fortunate and I am truly happy for you.

I am in a similar situation in that, after a long period of 'searching', I am really honing in on 'the sound I hear in my head'. It's very rewarding to get to that point.

And yet, you and I have very different 'rigs'. Why is that and what might anyone else learn from that? Probably just this: that the gear used successfully by you, by me, by a lot of others who contribute here on Talkbass is gear worthy of consideration by other bassists. The particular piece of equipment that will satisfy that bassist searching for his/her ideal sound is still going to be a matter of trial and error.

I think Henry David Thoreau said it well: If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.

Peace to you, and

Good luck to all those still searching.

 

[Ric Vice]

Thoreau Rocks, litteraly rocks

 

[Don Kasper]

Thoreau also wrote - "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation."
(Was he referring to "MBOL"? Quite possible IMFO.)
Just sayin'.
Thanks.

 

[Ric Vice]

Thoreau also wrote - "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation."
(Was he referring to "MBOL"? Quite possible IMFO.)
Just sayin'.
Thanks.

Obviously those were the guys who didn't "hear the different drummer"

 

[rickwolff]

Thoreau also wrote - "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation."
(Was he referring to "MBOL"? Quite possible IMFO.)
Just sayin'.
Thanks.

Of course he said that before bass amplification was invented.

Today he might say "the mass of bassists lead lives of noisy desperation."