Riddle me this? (Basic amateur recording help)

[incognito89x]

Riddle me this recording experts...

I've been recording my bass just direct from my SansAmp in the past. Just plugging my 1/4" into a 1/8" adapter and straight into my sound card on the computer.

I've been toying with the idea of an XLR cables to use the direct output from any one of the SansAmp, the Aphex Punch Factory, or the D.I. from my GK 700RB-II.

1. Is there any difference in which DI I use? As far as the chain is concerned, the SansAmp is midway in my pedal chain, the Aphex is by the end, and the amp is of course separate. Does which DI I use have an effect (I'm assuming using the amp itself would be a little different) but as far as effects are concerned, if I were to use the SansAmp, would all my effects in the chain still be recorded? Or just the bass signal.

2. Would it makes sense to get an XLR cable? I wonder this because I would still need an adapter to my soundcard, so is there any difference in doing that and just using the method I am now.

3. I was toying with the idea of getting a mic and micing my amp directly. Again it would be XLR to 1/8 to go into the soundcard. Would that work out well at all, or would it be better to get some sort of recording board.

I also though it would be cool to do a mix of DI and Mic'd. This would be mostly for personal enjoyment, so I wouldn't particularly want to spend overzealously, but what kind of stuff might work out well for something like that? I assume I would need to buy:

Mic
Recording board of some sort
2 XLR cabes

This would all be direct to PC. Are there decent 2-line recorders that connect to a comp through USB, or something of that nature?

I was looking at This somewhat. It looks like it would be able to record both a direct input and a mic'd amp, correct?

Would buying a board like that, a Shure SM57, and a couple XLR cables work for what I'm thinking?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Unknowndude]

I think the best (and cheapest) interface for what you want is the M-Audio Mobile Pre. It only has two channels but that's sufficient if you're just recording two signals at a time. It has XLR and 1/4" ins.

 

[EricF]

You can probably do what you're thinking of with adapters, but the results might not be great, depending on the soundcard. A soundcard designed for audio recording (M-Audio makes some good ones) might be a better way to go.

Another option...For $100, the Lexicon Alpha USB interface will do exactly what you're asking for (2-channel recording, 1/4" and XLR ins), and it includes Cubase recording software. I'm getting good results with mine (SansAmp -> Alpha). If I was to buy again, however, I'd look for something that includes MIDI I/O, and maybe a channel insert.

The SM57 is THE standard for mic'ing any speaker cab, and a "must have" tool for any recording setup.

I'm new to the recording game, so take my advice with that in mind. This is just what I've found from my own noobie experiences.

I've found Invalid Link Removed to be a fantastic source of info.

 

[incognito89x]

You can probably do what you're thinking of with adapters, but the results might not be great, depending on the soundcard. A soundcard designed for audio recording (M-Audio makes some good ones) might be a better way to go.

Another option...For $100, the Lexicon Alpha USB interface will do exactly what you're asking for (2-channel recording, 1/4" and XLR ins), and it includes Cubase recording software. I'm getting good results with mine (SansAmp -> Alpha). If I was to buy again, however, I'd look for something that includes MIDI I/O, and maybe a channel insert.

The SM57 is THE standard for mic'ing any speaker cab, and a "must have" tool for any recording setup.

I'm new to the recording game, so take my advice with that in mind. This is just what I've found from my own noobie experiences.

I've found Invalid Link Removed to be a fantastic source of info.

Thanks for the info. I think I might get that Lexicon. Seems to have everything that I'd want it to have.

So from the looks of it, I would plug my bass into the Instrument jack on the front, and the mic cable into the XLR on the back. Then Line-out from the recorder into my amp? Right?

That way the direct signal from the bass goes into the mixer, and line-out into the amp makes it so the bass will still come through the speakers?

That way I'd be recording both the Direct line, and the Mic'd line?

I think the best (and cheapest) interface for what you want is the M-Audio Mobile Pre. It only has two channels but that's sufficient if you're just recording two signals at a time. It has XLR and 1/4" ins.

Link Removed

Is that the one you're talking about? Same questions apply to the other unit. Appears to have the same interface, but with 2 XLR inputs.

edit: After thinking about things for a second, I suppose it would make more sense to get the M-Audio, as it has the 2 XLR's and just run the DI into one XLR, and the Mic into the other, no? Or should I still be running the Bass into one of the TRS instrument lines?

 

[EricF]

Thanks for the info. I think I might get that Lexicon. Seems to have everything that I'd want it to have.

So from the looks of it, I would plug my bass into the Instrument jack on the front, and the mic cable into the XLR on the back. Then Line-out from the recorder into my amp? Right?

That way the direct signal from the bass goes into the mixer, and line-out into the amp makes it so the bass will still come through the speakers?

That way I'd be recording both the Direct line, and the Mic'd line?

Yes. However, as much as I like what the Lexi Alpha is giving me at the moment, I can see a need for additional connectivity (MIDI, insert effects, etc.). I'm going to continue to make do with the Alpha for a while because I'm only tracking one instrument at a time for my home studio, but I can see an upgrade in the future. I recommend buying more than you think you need right now.

 

[agreatheight]

The SM57 is THE standard for mic'ing any speaker cab, and a "must have" tool for any recording setup.

The SM57 is a great mic and is a 'standard' for mic'ing lots of things, guitar cabs & snare drums being the big two. But I wouldn't say it's the standard for mic'ing a bass cab. You can use it and get decent results, but engineers use all kinds of different types of mics to record bass. Some prefer a dymanic kick drum mic for bass cabs, like an AKG D112 or a Shure Beta 52. Some like large diaphram condenser mic like an AKG C414 or an Audio-Technica AT4033. And some use a regular dynamic mic, like the afformentioned SM57, although I see more engineers favoring the Electro Voice RE20, the Sennheiser MD421s or the Shure SM7.

Me personally? I prefer DI over mic'ing generally speaking, but if I am gonna mic a bass cab I like to mix a mic signal with a DI signal. Sometimes I grab a condenser (usually an AT4033), sometimes I grab a dynamic (usually an MD421).

If you search around you'll see there is no consensus on what mic to use, or mic'ing or DI, or even which DI to use - practically everyone has a completely different opinion. Best advice is to jump in and learn what you like.

Good luck!!

 

[EricF]

The SM57 is a great mic and is a 'standard' for mic'ing lots of things, guitar cabs & snare drums being the big two. But I wouldn't say it's the standard for mic'ing a bass cab. You can use it and get decent results, but engineers use all kinds of different types of mics to record bass. Some prefer a dymanic kick drum mic for bass cabs, like an AKG D112 or a Shure Beta 52. Some like large diaphram condenser mic like an AKG C414 or an Audio-Technica AT4033. And some use a regular dynamic mic, like the afformentioned SM57, although I see more engineers favoring the Electro Voice RE20, the Sennheiser MD421s or the Shure SM7.

Me personally? I prefer DI over mic'ing generally speaking, but if I am gonna mic a bass cab I like to mix a mic signal with a DI signal. Sometimes I grab a condenser (usually an AT4033), sometimes I grab a dynamic (usually an MD421).

If you search around you'll see there is no consensus on what mic to use, or mic'ing or DI, or even which DI to use - practically everyone has a completely different opinion. Best advice is to jump in and learn what you like.

Good luck!!

I certianly won't disagree with any of this. My point was more that the SM57 is a valuable multi-purpose tool for ANY studio application. Sometimes it's the best tool, sometimes it's just an adequate tool. For a noob, it's a good place to start. Experience will certainly lead to other choices depending on personal preference.

 

[incognito89x]

Well guys I went ahead and ordered the M-Audio, an SM57, and the proper cables and stands for starters Thanks for the advice.

I'm still unsure which method of plugging everything in I should use. Should it be:

A) XLR Cable from Mic into the MobilePre - XLR Cable from DI into MobilePre

B) XLR Cable from Mic into the MobilePre - 1/4 TRS into Instrument line of MobilePre / Output of MobilePre into Amp.

Or does either work, and just go with what sounds best?

 

[eb76]

I might be misunderstanding what you're saying, but I wouldn't use the 1/4" TRS Out on the MobilePre to feed the amp. I'd get a DI that has both an XLR out and a 1/4" thru-put and use the thru-put to feed the amp. Technically, the 1/4" TRS outputs on the MobilePre are for monitors or other gear with balanced inputs like external compressors and whatnot.

 

[incognito89x]

I might be misunderstanding what you're saying, but I wouldn't use the 1/4" TRS Out on the MobilePre to feed the amp. I'd get a DI that has both an XLR out and a 1/4" thru-put and use the thru-put to feed the amp. Technically, the 1/4" TRS outputs on the MobilePre are for monitors or other gear with balanced inputs like external compressors and whatnot.

So basically scenario A?

 

[Unknowndude]

Well guys I went ahead and ordered the M-Audio, an SM57, and the proper cables and stands for starters Thanks for the advice.

I'm still unsure which method of plugging everything in I should use. Should it be:

A) XLR Cable from Mic into the MobilePre - XLR Cable from DI into MobilePre

B) XLR Cable from Mic into the MobilePre - 1/4 TRS into Instrument line of MobilePre / Output of MobilePre into Amp.

Or does either work, and just go with what sounds best?

Nice, I have basically that rig (but getting some more mics).

Either should work, I don't have a DI box so I use line out if I'm going to do a mic/line situation. I usually just use line in and use some kind of modelling (ampegsvx, etc). The 57 does sound decent on my Ashdown's speaker though, especially for adding some body to the clean line signal.

Oh, and the MobilePre comes with Pro Tools SE but I would recommend checking out Cubase, I've found I like cubase a little more, but that's probably becuase it's what I started with.

 

[TwentyPast4]

I think you should get good results just by connecting your bass thru a chain of effects, if desired, into your gk head. Run the output from your gk head into your speaker cabinet and mic it. Run the D.I. out of your gk head into your m-audio along with the mic from your cabinet. You're just splitting the signal at the head.

 

[incognito89x]

I think you should get good results just by connecting your bass thru a chain of effects, if desired, into your gk head. Run the output from your gk head into your speaker cabinet and mic it. Run the D.I. out of your gk head into your m-audio along with the mic from your cabinet. You're just splitting the signal at the head.

Yeah that's what I was planning on doing Until Musiciansfriend let me know the XLR cables I ordered are on backorder that is

 

[incognito89x]

Well for the time being I'm waiting for my XLR's to arrive.

For now I do have the MobilePre. I've done a couple test recordings plugging the bass into the 1/4" instrument line in. However when I do this there is an audible hum. Am I doing something wrong here? It seems like it should just be a plug and play type deal. The sound is pretty good aside from the hum issue.

 

[Jamiebass]

The hum you are experiencing is due to the fact that you're bass is not a "balanced" signal. A balanced signal, like the one coming off a DI, cancels out any interference corupting the signal. This is done by electronic phase inversion. Once you get you're XLRs, plug into the mic pre of you're soundcard, and the hum should (not always) go away. On any of you're gears DI outputs, there should be a switch labeled "pin 1 lift" or "ground lift". If you hear a hum (usualy a 60 Hz cycle), flick any of the switches I mentioned, and it should disapear. IF NOT, trouble shoot by bypassing any of you're pedals by removing it from the signal path. Also, don't sit too close to any computer screens, dimmer switches or neo lights. They can induce radio interference, like a buzz or hum.

 

[incognito89x]

Ok that's what I was kind of assuming was going on.