Recording an active bass - do's and dont's - please advise - (I don't slap)

Have you actually tested the signals to make sure that the mega loud active P is actually mega loud? I'd take a look at the signal strength on the meter going straight in. If it's too hot, just turn down the volume a little on the instrument itself.

I have in the past, it's fine. More often than not I still also use some other sort of preamp, either in pedal or amp format first. Just my personal preference, as opposed to using plugins for it.

Edit: wait I misunderstood. Yes if you like the sound of an amp, you may miss what it adds. Depending on what flavoring you use your amp for, it may not sound as good to you compared to going direct. Test it out and use what you like best!

 

My simple version is to just get the levels right going direct and see if you like the sound. The D.I. will pass - or should if it's halfway decent - whatever you put in it. The Twin doesn't care what type of signal you put in it either, again the input level is key. It could suffer only if you're running it very loud and even then.....it's a Twin.

 

You won't damage the amp with a hot signal but the speakers won't like it. I wouldn't use a twin reverb for any bass personally

 

The issue won't be because of the hot signal from the bass though, the issue will just be due to the speakers handling bass frequencies at higher volume levels. If volume is kept low, it should be alright.

Even a very low output bass would cause the same issues when the amp is turned up to similar levels.

 

I've recorded direct with my Tobias Growler, an active bass, with no issues. All interfaces I've encountered have a gain control on their input and as mentioned you also have a volume knob on the bass. Between the two you can find that happy place.

 

It's there for more than just looking pretty. I would say that proper gain staging is the key to getting the best tone.

 

First of all, if you have found your voice, record that. But be flexible with the EQ on the bass. Only suggestions if you are recording with an active bass are to make sure the battery is reasonably fresh (some last a long time, some preamps eat batteries) and flatten the EQ on the bass. If you record your bass basically flat you might find it easier to adjust in the mix once the band lays down the guitar and badgermin tracks, you won't want to drown out in the mix:

 

If you get a clean DI signal, you can always put it though an amp plugin.

 

I personally don't stress about the battery being new, I just keep an extra in my bag. I've been using some John East preamps that consume batteries pretty quickly and some Rays where they seem to last forever.

 

You just adjust your gain to a clean signal. No problems at all.

 

Active basses have volume controls, which turns down the output. Why a twin reverb?

 

The Twin Reverb amp section is essentially the same as a Dual Showman. No worries playing bass thru that. The speakers, especially an open back cab, are the weak point. Keep your volume and bass eq in check and it will be ok. If the speakers complain cease and desist and reduce volume and/or bass eq. Long ago and in a galaxy far far away I would occasionally play thru a Twin or Super Reverb and at lower volume it worked and sounded ok.

 

Of course, you follow your bliss, but it sounds like a lot of work when using a bass amp might solve all your problems. I used lots of Showmans in Europe, they used to be the standard backline bass amp, and I found they all distorted way too early.
Any the solution to you output problem is still- turn down your bass.

 

The twin into a load box or a real bass cab will be just fine. It'll sound great. You COULD trash the twins speakers playing bass through them loud. If you're using the twins speakers and care about them much I'd keep it at bookstore conversation levels. Great thing about recording is you don't need to make it loud, you only need to make it sound good, loud enough to record.

(TLDR: dont use your vintage twins speakers for recording bass very loud at all. amp itself OK)