Double Bass Run acoustic bass through computer

[McMike]

Hi, I have an acoustic upright bass with a KNA DB1 bridge contact pickup.

How can I connect to an IOS or PC computer for use in Facetime/Skype? Either an app, or the like. Something I connect directly.

The DB1 has a 1/4 output, so I can step down the jack to 1/8 for the input, but have no devices or preamp on hand otherwise. I do have a small Fender bass amp with a headphone output.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

A high impedance buffer or preamp is needed. Then you might even use a line input. From the buffer you need a 1/4“ to 1/8“ cable, preferably a stereo 1/8 to two mono 1/4. A cheap and well working preamp is the HPFpre (version 1 or 2 for DB).
Do not use the mic input, there is supply voltage and the impedance is too low and the sensitivity too high.
You might need to select the line input in software.

You can also buy an audio interface for your computer, but you will still need the preamp for the piezo pickup for an acceptable sound (or sound at all). But then you only need a second mono 1/4” to 1/4” cable, not one with a 1/8” stereo side.

 

[Don Hergert]

... And, if tone is a bigger concern, you may prefer the sound of a good PC or Mac rated mic, which for either a mic-input or USB input, you probably won't need a pre-amp.

 

[McMike]

Thanks. I also have an iMic that I might be able to use?

https://www.amazon.com/Griffin-Technology-iMic-original-Adapter/dp/B003Y5D776

Link Removed

 

[Don Hergert]

It being USB, that device might work on either your IOS or PC/Windows (7+?) systems, but I'd try the IOS first, since it was originally designed for Mac. I'm not an iExpert so I won't be able to help more than very generally with settings in that environment.

It looks like you'll still need a converter to 1/8 input unless you have a mic that already has that.

The reason I mentioned that you might prefer a mic over your pickup for tone is that piezo pickups tend to be more single dimensional in tone, often sounding more like an electric bass than an acoustic double bass. Also, if you're bowing, with pickups there is frequently a dramatic volume/gain difference when the bow is applied to the strings, where with mics the transition from pizz to arco or back again is typically very natural.

 

[McMike]

Thank you very much. I do have a box full of converter jacks. And I also have a regular mic I can try.

 

[AGCurry]

My solution would be to plug the pickup into a DI box, into a recording interface such as the Scarlett 2i.

But a plain old microphone might well sound better.

 

[Ed Fuqua]

But a plain old microphone might well sound better.

Since it is, after all, an acoustic instrument....

 

[DoubleMIDI]

My solution would be to plug the pickup into a DI box, into a recording interface such as the Scarlett 2i.

As long as it is an active DI with a high impedance input (at least 1 MegOhms). Otherwise you still need the buffer/preamp as the first device in the chain.

 

[jellymax]

since its not going thru a bass amp, i would definitely use a microphone instead of a pickup
if possible

 

[DoubleMIDI]

Using a microphone is technically easier and if placed well better sounding, but anything else sounding gets recorded too.
So it depends what you want to do with your recording and what your recording room situation is.

 

[AntonLargiader]

I'm going down the same general road. It's a bit late in the COVID game but some of us are using Acapella to jam remotely, and I've been looking at options for getting the DB into the mix. Earpods don't cut it; the mic is too far from the sound. Basic choices are:
- regular headphones for the monitor and let the iPad/iPhone be the acoustic mic
- headphone/mic splitter cable and use my H2n as the mic (much bigger mic diaphragm, simply has to be better)
- something involving the Realist pickup (and HPF Pre) that I have.

For now, I'm going with the first two, from a simplicity standpoint. Sound quality isn't all that important for this.

 

[TomB]

The iPad mic is surprisingly good and sensitive if you can be close. It lacks any controls you’d get with a preamp, unless you use a DAW such as their free GarageBand.
If you’re willing to spend $50, the iRig works well with any Mac, even a phone. They come in both 1/4” and XLR (w/phantom power) models. I don’t know the input impedance as I use a mixer in front of mine, but the sound is very transparent, for better or worse, and being active it should allow for a wide range of inputs. It provides a gain control.
During this pandemic I’ve leaned how to use GarageBand - never thought THAT would happen . It ain’t Pro-Tools but it’s fun!

 

[bassmanpl]

Having an audio interface like Focusrite Scarlett you can plug your pickup directly into its input. I record my upright this way and it works fine (pickup is Shadow Sh-950). Recording with microphone may give more natural results but is not so easy. You have to deal with room acoustics, uneven frequency response etc.

 

[Eric Hochberg]

Having an audio interface like Focusrite Scarlett you can plug your pickup directly into its input. Recording with microphone may give more natural results but is not so easy. You have to deal with room acoustics, uneven frequency response etc.

I've been using the Scarlett and an ATM350 mic. Sounds great and no hassle at all.

 

[longfinger]

Many generic USB "condenser" microphones are surprisingly decent and can be bought for about $50USD. Plug it in to your computer, select the mic as sound source in your video chat software, and you're ready to go.
Some of these units have adapters to plug into iOS devices too.

 

[Matt Ides]

I have been using the scarlet solo with condenser mic. Works great.