Please Help! My Recording Sounds Awful!

[Hardbassjunkie]

Please don't shoot me but until now I have really just recorded bass straight into my focus rite scarlett interface and used garage band settings for EQ and and it actually has served me well. But I wanted to color my tone a bit and get some vintage Tubey sounds. I got a Darkglass vintage deluxe v1 by trade and thought I would use the XLR out put to plug it into the focus right then into my bass. The result? Much better signal but weird sound. If you listen carefully with headphones it almost sounds like there is a synth effect on there which is definately not what I am going for. It is a completely clean recording with exception of the darkglass. Please help! What am I doing wrong here?

Here is the recording:

 

[garp]

I'm a ProTools guy, so I don't have any personal experience with the Darkglass or the Scarlett. My observations here are based solely on a cursory review of online documentation. There are also a couple different versions of the Scarlett, so I'm not even sure I'm referencing the correct manual.

I suspect that you're experiencing an impedance mismatch between the Darkglass and the Scarlett which is introducing unwarranted distortion into the recording. An XLR connection might not be the optimal one to use here. The signal coming out of your Darkglass's XLR jack is a line-level signal. But the Scarlett Solo's XLR input is designed to be used for microphone-level signals – either traditional dynamic mics or condenser mics. From what I can see, there's no way to attenuate the Scarlett Solo's XLR input level other than via the #1 GAIN knob. Many amps and recording devices use a "pad" switch for this kind of situation, but the Scarlett Solo doesn't have one.

My suggestions:

• Make sure that "48V" switch on the Scarlett is not depressed, and try recording again. This switch is used to provide phantom power to condenser mics. Mics and devices that don't use phantom power typically aren't affected by the accidental application of phantom power, but I'm not familiar enough with either the Scarlett or the the Darkglass to know for sure what might be happening.
• Try connecting the Darkglass to the Scarlett via the Darkglass's 1/4" phono "OUTPUT" jack and the Scarlett's 1/4" phono "INPUT 2" instead of the XLR connections, and set the corresponding "LINE/INST" switch on the Scarlett to "LINE".

Good luck.

 

[Hardbassjunkie]

I'm a ProTools guy, so I don't have any personal experience with the Darkglass or the Scarlett. My observations here are based solely on a cursory review of online documentation. There are also a couple different versions of the Scarlett, so I'm not even sure I'm referencing the correct manual.

I suspect that you're experiencing an impedance mismatch between the Darkglass and the Scarlett which is introducing unwarranted distortion into the recording. An XLR connection might not be the optimal one to use here. The signal coming out of your Darkglass's XLR jack is a line-level signal. But the Scarlett Solo's XLR input is designed to be used for microphone-level signals – either traditional dynamic mics or condenser mics. From what I can see, there's no way to attenuate the Scarlett Solo's XLR input level other than via the #1 GAIN knob. Many amps and recording devices use a "pad" switch for this kind of situation, but the Scarlett Solo doesn't have one.

My suggestions:

• Make sure that "48V" switch on the Scarlett is not depressed, and try recording again. This switch is used to provide phantom power to condenser mics. Mics and devices that don't use phantom power typically aren't affected by the accidental application of phantom power, but I'm not familiar enough with either the Scarlett or the the Darkglass to know for sure what might be happening.
• Try connecting the Darkglass to the Scarlett via the Darkglass's 1/4" phono "OUTPUT" jack and the Scarlett's 1/4" phono "INPUT 2" instead of the XLR connections, and set the corresponding "LINE/INST" switch on the Scarlett to "LINE".

Good luck.

Thank you for the informative reply! I have a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2. I will definitely try what you suggested because when I plug my bass directly using the 1/4 cable, it sounds great. Here is an example.

 

[garp]

Thank you for the informative reply! I have a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2. I will definitely try what you suggested because when I plug my bass directly using the 1/4 cable, it sounds great.

Okay, I just looked at the 2i2 version of the user manual. Before you try the 1/4" cable experiment, try again using the XLR connections, but just make sure the Scarlett's input switch is set to "LINE" and not "INST", and that the "48V" button is not depressed. If that doesn't eliminate the distortion, try the 1/4" cable connections, again making sure to set the Scarlett's input switch to "LINE" and that the "48V" button is not depressed.

 

[Hardbassjunkie]

Okay will do when I get home! Thank you

 

[Biggbass]

Since you're using the XLR and not a 1/4" you're inputing to your Scarlett as mic level. I don't hear any synth like overtones to the recording but it does sound thinner. Can't explain that other than perhaps EQ settings on the Darkglass.
Change to a line level input setting and those ghost overtones should disappear.
Then tweak your Darkglass to a flat EQ and compare to the flat EQ of the Scarlett playback, then adjust to match to your liking.

 

[Hardbassjunkie]

Since you're using the XLR and not a 1/4" you're inputing to your Scarlett as mic level. I don't hear any synth like overtones to the recording but it does sound thinner. Can't explain that other than perhaps EQ settings on the Darkglass.
Change to a line level input setting and those ghost overtones should disappear.
Then tweak your Darkglass to a flat EQ and compare to the flat EQ of the Scarlett playback, then adjust to match to your liking.

Synthy is the best way I can describe the awful over tones Haha

 

[Hardbassjunkie]

And sorry what to you mean by "flat EQ of scarleyte playback"

 

[kevindahl]

Sorry man but I actually like it. Garp and Biggbass has given great suggestions/advice. Sometimes these pedals have digital artifacts that colour the tone. Unfortunately you don't care for the tone. I have a darkglass vintage microtubes and I love it. My take is that you need to make adjustments on the pedal and if it still isn't working for you then sell the pedal.

 

[Biggbass]

And sorry what to you mean by "flat EQ of scarleyte playback"

Flat means no EQ at all. The playback or incoming signal is just the natural signal with no dynamics of any type added. So if you send an unaffected signal to the Scarlett and play back via whatever playback method you use, don't add anything to the playback signal...leave it as it was naturally recorded.
Then do the same thing using the Darkglass but adjust it to match the Scarlett's unaltered playback. Once you have them matched for sonic character, then adjust both or either from there.

 

[BrianVengeance]

The signal coming out of your Darkglass's XLR jack is a line-level signal. But the Scarlett Solo's XLR input is designed to be used for microphone-level signals – either traditional dynamic mics or condenser mics.

From what I can see, there's no way to attenuate the Scarlett Solo's XLR input level other than via the #1 GAIN knob. Many amps and recording devices use a "pad" switch for this kind of situation, but the Scarlett Solo doesn't have one.

Unless I'm mistaken, the XLR output of the Darkglass pedal is a DI - which means the signal will be microphone level, not line level. This would make it quite appropriate to run into the preamp input on the Solo. From here it should really be a matter of twisting the knob to get appropriate level and off you go.

• Make sure that "48V" switch on the Scarlett is not depressed, and try recording again. This switch is used to provide phantom power to condenser mics. Mics and devices that don't use phantom power typically aren't affected by the accidental application of phantom power, but I'm not familiar enough with either the Scarlett or the the Darkglass to know for sure what might be happening.

As you are indicating, phantom power / 48V won't have any affect here, and the pedal should safely ignore the provided voltage. Always a good practice to keep it off when not using it, but it shouldn't have any effect on the sound.

• Try connecting the Darkglass to the Scarlett via the Darkglass's 1/4" phono "OUTPUT" jack and the Scarlett's 1/4" phono "INPUT 2" instead of the XLR connections, and set the corresponding "LINE/INST" switch on the Scarlett to "LINE".

I would not recommend this approach. It won't harm anything, but it likely won't sound better than using the DI out into the mic preamp, or the instrument out into the instrument in. It will, however, create an impedance mismatch which may make the signal more difficult to work with.

@Hardbassjunkie, having listened to both clips, they're both pretty usable. If you find you like one better than the other, use that, but treat them all as colors on a palette. All gear imparts some bit of character to the signal, and neither clip of what you shared sounded bad (though it may not be what you were looking for).

Performance will always carry the day, so don't sweat the differences here, and keep on rocking!

 

[Hardbassjunkie]

Unless I'm mistaken, the XLR output of the Darkglass pedal is a DI - which means the signal will be microphone level, not line level. This would make it quite appropriate to run into the preamp input on the Solo. From here it should really be a matter of twisting the knob to get appropriate level and off you go.

As you are indicating, phantom power / 48V won't have any affect here, and the pedal should safely ignore the provided voltage. Always a good practice to keep it off when not using it, but it shouldn't have any effect on the sound.

I would not recommend this approach. It won't harm anything, but it likely won't sound better than using the DI out into the mic preamp, or the instrument out into the instrument in. It will, however, create an impedance mismatch which may make the signal more difficult to work with.

@Hardbassjunkie, having listened to both clips, they're both pretty usable. If you find you like one better than the other, use that, but treat them all as colors on a palette. All gear imparts some bit of character to the signal, and neither clip of what you shared sounded bad (though it may not be what you were looking for).

Performance will always carry the day, so don't sweat the differences here, and keep on rocking!

Thanks so much for the detailed reply! Just to be devil's advocate, I want to show you the recording I made with the suggestions that were given. I am happier with it but love to hear what you think because you liked the older one. Honestly, sweating about this kind of stuff I find fun. I love trying out new gear whether it's basses, amps, preamps, recording gear, or pedals.

 

[JRA]

i didn't care for your first example much myself. but all of the sounds you've posted, at level, in a mix, could be usable given the 'objective' of the tune. your examples have become increasingly more 'natural' and 'manipulable'.

that said: glad you're getting the hang of the 'baseline' input protocols you're looking for!

 

[Hardbassjunkie]

i didn't care for your first example much myself. but all of the sounds you've posted, at level, in a mix, could be usable given the 'objective' of the tune. your examples have become increasingly more 'natural' and 'manipulable'.

that said: glad you're getting the hang of the 'baseline' input protocols you're looking for!

Yes, that is the purpose. I haven't put any effects, not even compression. So these recordings were supposed to be the skeleton and I wanted to make sure its solid. Weird overtones before I even put effects would be a nightmare for mixing and mastering.

 

[JRA]

Yes, that is the purpose. I haven't put any effects, not even compression. So these recordings were supposed to be the skeleton and I wanted to make sure its solid. Weird overtones before I even put effects would be a nightmare for mixing and mastering.

i agree! you can thank the previous posters.

 

[BrianVengeance]

Thanks so much for the detailed reply! Just to be devil's advocate, I want to show you the recording I made with the suggestions that were given. I am happier with it but love to hear what you think because you liked the older one. Honestly, sweating about this kind of stuff I find fun. I love trying out new gear whether it's basses, amps, preamps, recording gear, or pedals.

No worries at all, happy to help out. As JRA also mentioned, the sounds are all usable depending on the objective of the song and sound. Amongst the three you've posted, I'm leaning 2 3 1 in terms of preference, but they're all pretty close. 2 has a fuller low end, 3 sits a little bit better, and 1 is a bit tighter sounding. As you build out your song, the accompanying instruments will help inform how the bass should sound.

Definitely fun to sweat the details. It is a great way to learn a lot... AND spend a LOT of money! There are worse hobbies to be sure. Aside what I mentioned earlier about performance, another thing that has helped keep me sane with recording and chasing tone - if you have to switch back and forth between two choices more than once or twice, the difference doesn't actually matter!

 

[Hardbassjunkie]

Okay, I just looked at the 2i2 version of the user manual. Before you try the 1/4" cable experiment, try again using the XLR connections, but just make sure the Scarlett's input switch is set to "LINE" and not "INST", and that the "48V" button is not depressed. If that doesn't eliminate the distortion, try the 1/4" cable connections, again making sure to set the Scarlett's input switch to "LINE" and that the "48V" button is not depressed.

Flat means no EQ at all. The playback or incoming signal is just the natural signal with no dynamics of any type added. So if you send an unaffected signal to the Scarlett and play back via whatever playback method you use, don't add anything to the playback signal...leave it as it was naturally recorded.
Then do the same thing using the Darkglass but adjust it to match the Scarlett's unaltered playback. Once you have them matched for sonic character, then adjust both or either from there.

Thanks for the tips. I was able to use them get exactly what a needed; a cleaner recording as a starting point before adding effects and mixing.