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Double Bass Recording with Garage Band

MD39

MD39

Oct 1, 2009
53
69
Atlanta, GA
www.nerosimon.com
#1
I am attempting to record double bass in garage band via my macbook pro. My bass has a realist pickup and I plug straight into the line-in port on the computer. The problem I am encountering is low output volume when listening to playback. Does anyone know if the realist pickups have some sort of input limiter in terms of frequencies and or volume? Does anyone know to resolve this issue? Note, this low playback volume does not occur when recording an electric bass.

Thanks.
 
#2
MD39 said:
I am attempting to record double bass in garage band via my macbook pro. My bass has a realist pickup and I plug straight into the line-in port on the computer. The problem I am encountering is low output volume when listening to playback. Does anyone know if the realist pickups have some sort of input limiter in terms of frequencies and or volume? Does anyone know to resolve this issue? Note, this low playback volume does not occur when recording an electric bass.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

The Realist has a very low output. My guess is you'll need a preamp. Try plugging your bass into your amp and then taking the line out signal from that. That is, if you have a line out. Otherwise you'll need to find a way to boost the signal.
 
#4
If you must plug in, then go through your amplifier using it as a D.I.

bass ->Realist -> amp -> XLR out -> proper cable adapters -> MBP.

That will help the sound, providing you have a decent amp for double bass.

Better yet, use a mic.

Do you know that a product like the Zoom H2 can be used both as a portable recorder, and as an external USB soundcard / microphone?

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Plug the Zoom H2 in to the MBP via USB, and select the zoom in GB as being your audio input, and record directly into GB.
These units are very affordable for what they do. (It seems the Zoom H1 cannot be used in this way...)

With a Zoom H2, you can adjust the input levels on the Zoom before it is digitized and sent via USB to the MBP to get a proper level.
 

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