Recording bass, relatively new at this

[CORBS]

I used to dabble in DAWs and interfaces, I have not done so in a while. I was trying to record a bass part into Sonar last night, and the input monitor and playback was digital noise.

I was going straight in to my onboard RealtekHD sound card. I don't have ASIO drivers. I can't get it to sound anything like a bass, just super distorted tinny electronic noise, but I can adjust the latency by screwing with the settings.

My question: How do I at least get a good recording? Do I need a better sound card or an audio interface? Which ones work well and sound good? I don't like wasting my money and I'll spend a decent amount on something good if I have to. I am going DI out from my amp head (Genz Benz 6.2) into a micro Mackie mixer, and out from there into my PC's Line In. I know I can monitor the bass using the mixer but the recording in the DAW will still be distortion.

Thank you for any and all help and advice you can give.

 

[DinoRock]

I've been doing studio work for nearly 40 years. High-end, low-end and everywhere in between. There are some threads related to your query on TB and also homerecording.com. For the past many years, when working in lower-end studios, I plug into a Presonus Audiobox xxVSL, where xx could be 22 or 44 or some of their higher end gear. Note that these studios are very capable of producing professional products.

I've recorded in many different ways over the years. These days, I grab a bass that gives me and the engineer the sound we want, plug into an AudioBox 44VSL or similar, and get it done. (I keep a 22vsl in my bag when heading to a studio I am unfamiliar with.) If you look at my profile and know your way around the Internet you can find some public stuff I've done in this fashion over the past few years and decide for yourself if you like the final bass product.

There are others who like going DI first and some taking the output from an amp head and some (fewer) who prefer to mic a bass cab. Many like doing as I described especially on a home type system.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

I used to dabble in DAWs and interfaces, I have not done so in a while. I was trying to record a bass part into Sonar last night, and the input monitor and playback was digital noise.

I was going straight in to my onboard RealtekHD sound card. I don't have ASIO drivers. I can't get it to sound anything like a bass, just super distorted tinny electronic noise, but I can adjust the latency by screwing with the settings.

My question: How do I at least get a good recording? Do I need a better sound card or an audio interface? Which ones work well and sound good? I don't like wasting my money and I'll spend a decent amount on something good if I have to. I am going DI out from my amp head (Genz Benz 6.2) into a micro Mackie mixer, and out from there into my PC's Line In. I know I can monitor the bass using the mixer but the recording in the DAW will still be distortion.

Thank you for any and all help and advice you can give.

I'm very new to home recording a bass, but here is what I've learned so far.
Get an Audio Interface. Don't rely on the computer pre-installed sound cards.
My personal choice of a cheap but good Audio Interface - PreSonus AudioBox USB.
I've just purchased the second one for $79 from Guitar Center.
The first was only $64 - 2015 President's Day Sale at the same Guitar Center.
NO OTHER audio interface comes even close for that kind of price!

N.B. I don't represent ANY COMPANIES!!! only my pocket and my ears.

It comes with Studio One Artist. It's less sophisticated than Sonar but has fewer "headaches" than Sonar.
(I have Sonar X3 also.)
Start learning the effects that come with Studio One.

 

[DinoRock]

I'm very new to home recording a bass, but here is what I've learned so far.
Get an Audio Interface. Don't rely on the computer pre-installed sound cards.
My personal choice of a cheap but good Audio Interface - PreSonus AudioBox USB.
I've just purchased the second one for $79 from Guitar Center.
The first was only $64 - 2015 President's Day Sale at the same Guitar Center.
NO OTHER audio interface comes even close for that kind of price!

N.B. I don't represent ANY COMPANIES!!! only my pocket and my ears.

It comes with Studio One Artist. It's less sophisticated than Sonar but has fewer "headaches" than Sonar.
(I have Sonar X3 also.)
Start learning the effects that come with Studio One.

I started there several years ago. Along with Studio One Artist, I got EZ Drummer, and Melodyne in the package. I got incredibly lucky with that offering. All entry level versions of professional hardware and software. I have since upgraded to the AudioBox 44VSL, to Studio One Pro, and to the professional versions of Melodyne and EZ Drummer. We've released 3 CDs using this configuration and not had a critic with a comment or complaint that could be linked to the hardware or software. Our most recent CD was full length (10 songs), adult-contemporary (from songer-songwriter to light rock), and was reviewed by 12 critics/publications. A bunch of 10/10 star reviews, nothing worse than 7/10, and all, IMHO, excellent reviews. Certainly nothing that would have me rethinking my studio configuration. Previous ones were 1 singer-songwriter EP and one 80s rock EP. Of the 20 songs released, 18 originals and 2 interpretations.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

I started there several years ago. Along with Studio One Artist, I go EZ Drummer, and Melodyne in the package. I got incredibly lucky with that offering. All entry level versions of professional hardware and software. I have since upgraded to the AudioBox 44VSL, to Studio One Pro, and to the professional versions of Melodyne and EZ Drummer. We've released 3 CDs using this configuration and not had a critic with a comment or complaint that could be linked to the hardware or software. Our most recent CD was full length (10 songs), adult-contemporary (from songer-songwriter to light rock), and was reviewed by 12 critics/publications. A bunch of 10/10 star reviews, nothing worse than 7/10, and all, IMHO, excellent reviews. Certainly nothing that would have me rethinking my studio configuration. Previous ones were 1 singer-songwriter EP and one 80s rock EP. Of the 20 songs released, 18 originals and 2 interpretations.

At this moment, I need to learn what the "cheapest" AudioBox USB (But it has MIDI!) with Studio One Artist offers, especially the effects.
The AudioBox 44VSL, Studio One Pro, EZ Drummer, Melodyne - an example of a superb PRO home recording studio - it requires SO MUCH KNOWLEDGE that at this moment would be TOO overwhelming for me who is still trying to figure out that "Fat Channel" or Ampire's "7 Fender", etc., effects.

 

[paparoof]

Yeah definitely invest in an official audio interface designed for what you're doing. I have Focusrite and MOTU units at home. the Focusrite has never had a single issue AT ALL. Plug it in and it just works - every single time. The MOTU is a great unit, but MOTU developers are Mac people and I'm a Windows guy and I did have some tweaking to do on my PC before I could get it to quit BSOD'ing on me.

 

[DinoRock]

At this moment, I need to learn what the "cheapest" AudioBox USB (But it has MIDI!) with Studio One Artist offers, especially the effects.
The AudioBox 44VSL, Studio One Pro, EZ Drummer, Melodyne - an example of a superb PRO home recording studio - it requires SO MUCH KNOWLEDGE that at this moment would be TOO overwhelming for me who is still trying to figure out that "Fat Channel" or Ampire's "7 Fender", etc., effects.

I got lucky when Presonus offered S1 Artist, Melodyne, and EZ Drummer with the or chase of an ~$100 Audio Box 2 input usb. I worked w S1 putting together songs. Watched bunches of Presonus tutorials. S1 becomes really simple and straightforward in a hurry. Want drums, use the EZ Drummer plug in. No need to get in and out of S1. Just stay in it for everything. Grow and learn at your own speed. At some point, I wanted the near-zero latency VSL Audiobox esp for recording my bass parts, so I upgraded. Eventually I wanted to mix and master and send to soundcloud, so I went from Artist to Producer and eventually to Professional. Same with the other software. Learn the basics and upgrade when need be.

I found this to be quite manageable and a lot of fun.

I would certainly recommend that you get a Presonus Audiobox, which comes with Presonus Studio One and go from there. I think you'll have a lot of fun.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

I got lucky when Presonus offered S1 Artist, Melodyne, and EZ Drummer with the or chase of an ~$100 Audio Box 2 input usb. I worked w S1 putting together songs. Watched bunches of Presonus tutorials. S1 becomes really simple and straightforward in a hurry. Want drums, use the EZ Drummer plug in. No need to get in and out of S1. Just stay in it for everything. Grow and learn at your own speed. At some point, I wanted the near-zero latency VSL Audiobox esp for recording my bass parts, so I upgraded. Eventually I wanted to mix and master and send to soundcloud, so I went from Artist to Producer and eventually to Professional. Same with the other software. Learn the basics and upgrade when need be.

I found this to be quite manageable and a lot of fun.

I would certainly recommend that you get a Presonus Audiobox, which comes with Presonus Studio One and go from there. I think you'll have a lot of fun.

Currently, I'm learning how to program the drums by using the Piano Roll, and IT WORKS.
I'm just starting...

 

[DinoRock]

Currently, I'm learning how to program the drums by using the Piano Roll, and IT WORKS.
I'm just starting...

Nice! Dive in and get started. In terms of recording, you might want to check out homerecording.com