Recording advice and tips needed

[ulgen]

Hi everyone

I am never able to get a decent sound with the recording gear I have at home. I cannot isolate the problem but maybe someone experienced something similar and would like to share tips or settings.

I record like this:

rickenbacker 4003 -> Boss limiter enhancer pedal -> sansamp bass di -> one signal to Marshall MB 30 amp in an iso box and mic through shure sm57, one signal directly to sound card.

Using one of GarageBand’s virtual amps with some factory eq settings, for the mic’ed amp sound only a voice recording, so nothing interesting.

my sound card is Maudio fast track pro that is like 10 years old or something.

changed my cables along the way, didn’t help.

the sound is either too dark and kills everything else, or too weak. Tried many settings nothing helps to get like a good bass guitar sound out of this chain

I was always suspicious about this old sound card I have. But since it looks like it is working and I don’t have anything else to try, I don’t know where to check now.

what do you think? Any similar experience?

 

[Hummergeist]

Do the separate tracks sound okay before you try blending them together? I would try disabling the virtual amp, and maybe try without the Boss pedal - or move that after the sansamp. The interface is a budget model but should be okay in itself as long as you’re not overloading the inputs.

 

[And I]

Try bass --> sansamp --> interface. Keep it simple.

 

[ahbass2500]

Try bass --> sansamp --> interface. Keep it simple.

This ^

I frequently find that bass to DI to recording interface then modifying tone in the software is my favorite sound. That is not to say that I have never liked or used microphones. I typically try to record both mic and DI tracks (can decide which to use/how to mix the two later). I always have the DI track and frequently find myself using it.

 

[JRA]

if the signal is competent, neutral/flat, void of clutter (your version of "cool"), and direct = any sound is possible in today's DAWs.

my advice is to simplify your process! good luck!

 

[Deleted member 365158]

Ditch the mic, go direct.
Like others said, keep it simple going in.

 

[And I]

My guess is just removing the boss limiter will improve your sound a great deal.

 

[ulgen]

Thank you everyone for your answers! Going direct only and moving the limiter after the Sansamp DI improved the sound quality a great deal.