Recording Session

[Chico16]

Hello fellow bassplayers,
This Saturday and Sunday I'm going out of town with my band to record at a professional music studio. Every one of my bandmates have already recorded before, however I haven't at least not professionally. We are only taking instruments since apparently the producer has loads of amps at his studio. I honesty have no worries, I always try to stay confident, but I do have a minor question in mind. Does it matter if I use a passive or active bass for the recording? If it does make a difference, which should I use? The active bass is an Ibanez SR605 and the passive bass is a Cort Action V. The Cort was my first bass and even though it was pretty cheap it has been very reliable and I consider it a good bass. The Ibanez, on the other hand, I love lol this may not be a big deal but oh well I would just like to know if the electronics will have a negative impact on my sound quality during the recording.

 

[JACink]

In my experience (as a tech and not a bassist) take both and the studio will find which sounds best.

 

[capnsandwich]

Bring both and see what you and the engineer likes the most. Passive basses are preferred by some engineers but in the end, it's what you and your band likes.

 

[Jim Carr]

Take both basses and spare strings for both. Be musically prepared, well-rested, and not hung over. Don't talk a lot, don't noodle at all, and follow instructions. Relax, and do your best.

 

[Joe Nerve]

+ 1 on the above 2.

 

[Ironjaw]

first...congrats. Next, you're really only as good as your prep. Take time to truly warm up and get your chops together at least an hour before you're asked to get "sounds" (the goal is to get the tech part of your chops together, chill and be ready to go through the recording aspects of getting sounds with solid warmed-up chops).

Advice: be prepared for really poor headphone mix. If you're in room with drums, it's hard to hear the fundamental of your sound...but in trade, you'll feel the acoustic vibrations of the drum set and have great visual communication. Always lean toward less of you and more of "the band" in your cans...you'll play great if you focus on the whole and not just yourself...but you have to trust that as it seems counter-intuitive.

If you have punch-ins, one of the subtle tricks is to match your touch. If you're tracking next to the drums, you will dig in more than if you in the control room listening though monitors...just the way humans work...punch ins are a fun a normal part of bass tracking...concentrate on your feel and vibe and the right notes will happen.

Thoughts from experiences. Hope they help.

 

[JACink]

If you have punch-ins, one of the subtle tricks is to match your touch. If you're tracking next to the drums, you will dig in more than if you in the control room listening though monitors...just the way humans work...punch ins are a fun a normal part of bass tracking...concentrate on your feel and vibe and the right notes will happen.

I found that it is easier to start a little before where you need to be punched in, that way you sort of get into the flow before the part that needs dubbing, and the extra can be erased.

 

[Jim C]

Take both basses and spare strings for both. Be musically prepared, well-rested, and not hung over. Don't talk a lot, don't noodle at all, and follow instructions. Relax, and do your best.

Well said.
If the producer doesn't have a preference on basses use the one your most comfortable with.
Complete disagreement about punching as both a seasoned engineer and player. Typically:
I would just assume punch with the same setup as the track was recorderd. No need to come into the control room if you were just tracking and need to punch a clam. Start playing as soon as you hear the track; relax and paly with the same intensity whether you can hear yourself or not. Don't be surprised if the levels change; let the engineer do the heavy lifting and you relax and play bass as that's your job.
Have fun, don't overthink it, and play like you normally do unless told otherwise.
I still remember my first session as a player when I was 17 and that was 37 years ago!

 

[Xxyion]

As a recording tech i encounter this question a lot. Here is my best advice.

Passive pickups vs active create a completley different sound. However the situation can differ greatly. Will the engineer be DI'ing you in and then reamping? Will he be micing a bass cab instead? Also which bass do you find gets your tone more?
All these take a factor into your recording session as well as your experience.
As stated above. Stay relaxed. Try not to do more than 5 takes per section at a time. The more you do something (and it not working) the more frustrated you will be at it and yourself. Be sure to take breaks when needed. Another ig peice of advice i tell people. Is that if you can play your song by yourself without any other instruments and be on time through the entire song. Then recording should be a breeze.

Remember, this is your tone and your song. In my opinion recording engineers should not have a say on what kind of equipment you want to play through. Why? because thats your tone and your sound. Its just my job to transfer that to a track as best as i can.