Options to Boost Signal: Recording Bass Direct

[MediaJones]

I have been doing a lot of recording (dubbing in and recording over drum tracks) for a project I have been working on and recently started wondering if there is anything I can use between my bass and my mixing board to boost the signal I am recording. I am looking to achieve an overall stronger, and punchier tone which I have gotten used to achieving with no extra help, but realize that some sort of boost could make things a lot easier- especially since timing seems to become an issue when I am constantly focusing on the punch of the bassline. Oh, and this is an important one, I am recording direct into the board for reamping later.

Heres how I am running it:

Fender Active P --> M-Audio Mixing Board (Instrument In) --> Logic

If there is such a product, make some recommendations!

 

[I-Love-Ratm]

Try putting it through an equalizer pedal? Or even just a DI?

 

[MediaJones]

Try putting it through an equalizer pedal? Or even just a DI?

Would that increase the strength of the signal or just make a wimpy signal louder? I can always crank the volume on the channel, but I want to increase the strength of the signal (and its clarity and what not) so that you can here the articulation in the notes, rather than, have a somewhat muddy and indistinct bassline noodling behind the other instruments. I was thinking something along the lines of how a boost pedal works with an amplifier to increase the strength of the sound rather than just the volume (although it does increase that too), however, I don't think this would work the same way without a tube amp. I was thinking about something to "drive" the bass signal and make it stronger, if I am making any sense.

 

[itwasagift]

I've noticed that the best ways that I have boosted the signal in recording bass is to run out of an amp head into the mixing board or audio interface. I use my SWR Amp red head and can run a line out to the board from the effects send, the xlr send or an unbalanced out. They all work. Also honestly many times I don't even need to run out of anything to increase the signal in a recording session. Many times I run direct into the recording device (mixer, audio interface etc.) and can increase the level on the wave track by just turning it up on the actual track in the session. I know for certain that in Logic and Pro tools you can do it.

 

[I-Love-Ratm]

Sansamp Bass Driver DI would do the trick.