Noob here with a super noob recording question

[Multibomber]

Hello everyone! I'm not a bass player at all. I'm actually just a drummer, but we're both rhythm section, so we're all super good friends right?!

Anyways, I'm having a former band mate of mine coming over to lay down some tracks for me. He's an incredible bassist, seasoned pro, etc etc, but unfortunately I know NOTHING about recording bass guitar. I was going to record him DI and then mess with the tones later, maybe push out the signal through a 4x10 cab and mic it at some other time... but I thought I would ask you seasoned pro bass playing/recording dudes for a little guidance. The bass tone I'm going for is this:

And I plan on having the bass guitar very front and center in the mix like this:

Because I think that a great, heavy bass sound makes the best rock records, but I know nothing about bass EQ/compression. My bass player is playing with a pick using a Schecter Diamond Series C1 XXX. I was planning on using the TSE BOD, which emulates a SansAmp Bass Driver.

Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated, and thanks in advance for any knowledge bombs you can drop on me, my fellow rhythm section brethren!

 

[knumbskull]

that all sounds sensible in principle (I can't listen to the tracks as am at work). I'd start by going DI through the Sansamp and seeing if you like the results.

Regarding EQ-ing / frequencies, this is all highly subjective, YMMV etc, but I find this kind of breakdown useful for EQing bass:

under 50hz - sub bass. roll off (or even up to 80-100hz) - you want to give the kick some room to breathe (as a drummer, you'll know the importance of this!)
80-180hz - "bass"/low end. careful not to boost too low or it can start getting into the same sonic space as the kick.
250-500hz - midrange. cutting here (scooping) will make it sound good on its own, but can cause it to vanish a bit in the mix. a gently boost won't be immediately pleasing (can sound nasal/honk-y) but can help punch through guitars.
1.2khz-2.5khz - treble. boost for more attack/pick sound, cut for more warmth/subtlety.
5kz and up - I'd roll off, unless you guy likes a really hi-fi sound. also helps cut finger noise, unwanted hum etc, IMO of course

General / stuff you probably already know:
- less is more with EQing
- always check the bass in the mix/with guitars and drums
- where possible, it's better to cut out the unwanted freqs than overly boost the good stuff. think of it like a block of granite that you're carving a statue out of


Compression - um yes, you will need this. have a play and see what sounds good... Perhaps someone more knowledgable can help out here!

 

[FretNoMore]

Talk to the bass player, if he is the seasoned pro you think then maybe he has some ideas on how he likes to record.

 

[AngryPig1]

+1 to both of the above.

I'd stick with just a DI through the preamp to start with. all those EQ tips are solid but remember to use them as a starting point, nothing is set in stone. If you can get hold of the Waves plug-ins (if you're doing this digitally) try the CLA Bass, really nice plug in.

But definitely ask the bassist. If hes a seasoned pro he may well have his own Sansamp and setting s he likes to use for recording.

Comrpession... is a tricky one. I always find that with my recording there is no rule of thumb it depends on the player and the bass and the recording technique etc

 

[Multibomber]

Quick update: I went to see him and showed him the exact tone I was looking for. It took him at least 30, perhaps 45 seconds to dial it in EXACTLY through his amp. He used a Fender P-Bass -->Crybaby Bass Wah (white pedal) --> a Zakk Wylde distortion pedal --> beat to hell Ampeg head --> slightly less beat to hell Ampeg 2x10 cab.

Long story short, I was not prepared to record a bass cabinet. But we got close. Next time, we'll try some combination of Audix D6, KBM 412, AKG C 2000b, and homemade Subkick... because thats all i have haha! If it doesnt work, we'll start from scratch with the plugins.

Sidenote: The Zakk Wyle pedal sounds AMAZING!!! on bass guitar! Its a trick he learned while recording some stuff with Bill Gaal of Nothingface... weird!

Oh yeah, thanks for all your help guys!! I sincerely appreciate it!