• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Recording...

it really depends. Flat (more or less) is often desired/expected from producers when you are called to play tracks so they can shape the bass sounds as they see fit.
when I am tracking for myself, I will use some EQ .. similar to what I use live in a good acoustic room (vs difficult rooms where you might end up making compromises).

active/passive depends on the bass I'm using. if I have the time and the luxury, I will try it both ways to see how either fits with the material I am tracking to.

its great fun to try different options and get a feel for how your bass and outboard gear sound being recorded.

enjoy!
 
I started on drums and added guitar shortly after when I was a kid. I have a lot of experience playing and recording those instruments. As such I know what generally works in the studio. I have not achieved "great" on a consistent basis yet by any means but good is consistently achievable if only in my head :)

Bass on the other hand came later. I have never gigged on bass, but I have played for around 15 years now on my own recordings when I didn't have a real bass player available. The results were passable but I want to get the bass sounds up to snuff with the rest. Starting with just a DI because its how many of the records we love were done and because I like the KISS method wherever possible. I have an Acoustic B15 1x10 combo I can mic up if need be but the logistics of routing the signal from control room to the loud room would be interesting. I think using one of the guitar heads into a 2note Captor with a good IR might make sense too. Especially if combined with a DI.
 
Last edited:
I like the KISS method wherever possible.
0000.jpg

leave your eq flat when running direct