Double Bass Poor Man's Mic Setup - SM-57 & Four Elastics

[stefaniw80401]

Sounds great. Everybody tries this setup at least once. The trouble with this is the end-address mics and their cardioid pattern. Imagine if a singer pointed their sm5x mic at the ceiling and sang into the side of the capsule like that.

Sure, it works, but it's not great in terms of gain before feedback...no mic solution is really. Take a look at some side-address mics. Search the TB threads for lots of info, experience and wisdom about mics for live performance.

 

[Fahri Ayberk]

Sounds great. Everybody tries this setup at least once.

Hello Stefani! Thanks for the input!

I can see why this is at least tried once (I have been using it for the last weeks), as it says in the title it's "the poor man's solution" and it works!

I have searched high and low but couldn't find anything that costs less than 300-400 euros which in my opinion is too much for my 1200 euro bass and beginner skills...

I'll upgrade it the moment I start sounding too good for it!

My other option for now is pointing the Zoom XY capsule towards me but it bleeds so much!

 

[robert_stuart]

I had this idea and did some tests. It's completely hidden from view. I'm thinking about designing an under-fingerboard clamp that'd hold it in this position. Or, use stronger black rubber bands and just go with it because I don't play that high up on the fingerboard anyhow.

 

[Ric Vice]

To each his own I guess, I tried it once long ago and it's very cumbersome because the SM 57 is a pretty big microphone. I get that not everyone can afford a DPA 4099 Dvote, Neumann MCM 114, Remic Reshape, or Nadine. But there are plenty of ATM 350's and AMT 25's used. Seems like a no brainer to me. Just my take though.

 

[John Chambliss]

As another alternative, the Bartlett Audio Bass Mic (~ $200) sounds good and can be mounted easily in either F hole, or outside in a number of places. Wonderful for low volume gigs! Great to blend with a pickup also.

 

[fdeck]

i appreciate the info. My own thought is that a SM57 is a capsule with a handle, that can serve as a cudgel if needed.

We don't need the handle, and a heavy carbon bow can serve as a cudgel if needed.

 

[lurk]

Wrapping up a Shure with foam or a towel and jamming it between the tailpiece and top is an old tried and true method that would give the same results as jerry rigging it behind the fingerboard and it would be much less likely to fall and damage something. FWIW I've seen guys use a little Radio Shack (remember that?) lapel mic with pretty good results if you're trying to go cheap. I bet those can still be found on eBay.

 

[AGCurry]

A few years ago, I bought these tiny condenser microphones. This thread has me thinking about seeing how they work on a bass.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

A few years ago, I bought these tiny condenser microphones. This thread has me thinking about seeing how they work on a bass.
View attachment 7481830

They look like omnis, so for live use I would guess not great. But there’s only one real way to find out!

 

[AGCurry]

They look like omnis, so for live use I would guess not great. But there’s only one real way to find out!

They have four tiny vent holes, so I think they're directional.

 

[gna]

I got a used SM57 for $50, so I tried this with a practice amp. It actually sounds pretty good, seems to fill out the sound. I have a gig tomorrow at place with a board; I'm wondering if I should try this...

 

[gna]

I got a used SM57 for $50, so I tried this with a practice amp. It actually sounds pretty good, seems to fill out the sound. I have a gig tomorrow at place with a board; I'm wondering if I should try this...

I have to say it worked pretty well. They had a Fender Rumble for the backline with direct out, so the sound guy just wanted to use that. I showed him my setup and I think he was intrigued, so he ran a cable to me and mixed the two together for the house. He said it sounded good.

 

[afroblue]

my pickup crapped out on a gig last week and my only option was a 58 through the pa. was hard work but I could hear myself and the others still thought it sounded good. I don't want to have to work as hard as that though every gig!