• 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 free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Sadowsky Sounding "Muddy"

#5
Rather reputed engineer (in Australia).
Studio setting.
Volume max, VTC max, equal blend of p/ups, bass & treble flat/zero.
New strings each session (2 days/2 sets of strings).
EXL 165-5.
New battery on day 1.
Bass is a couple of months old.

To me it sounded great. We tested 4 basses on day one (My Sadowsky M5-25 & Schecter Studio 6 w/ active EMG's and his Ibanez & Fender) and mutually agreed that the Sadowsky was the one.

However a week later and with fresh ears things changed.
 
#13
If the engineer has left the eq's on board set for other basses, the 200hzs (boombox mud) may be boosted. In which case engineer needs to move that slider back down to zero. A slight boost of your basses treble control or alternately moving blend from even to a little bit toward bridge pup could clear things up for more cutting tone.

Ive known of engineers who boost the muddy portion of bass signal since they figure its mainly going to be listened to on systems with no low bass ability. Pop rock and those who orient toward fm radio play things also sometimes make this imo recording eq mistake.
 
#16
metallist said:
Rather reputed engineer (in Australia).
Studio setting.
Volume max, VTC max, equal blend of p/ups, bass & treble flat/zero.
New strings each session (2 days/2 sets of strings).
EXL 165-5.
Click to expand...

That is pretty much my controls as well. I'll boost a little bass or treble and mess with the VTC as needed...but it's far from muddy.

Have you or anyone else heard the recording with fresh ears? I mean, if you guys like it...
 
#17
I don't play metal, but the Sadowsky 5-24 is among my main axes for the last few years...I can imagine settings that could be on the muddy side, but that's easily fixed, and I'd think the tone of these basses would be ideal for what you describe. Are you using stainless steel rounds? I'd also suggest favoring the bridge pickup by about 10% (I'm assuming you have pickup pan rather than V/V), plucking/picking closer to the bridge, and experimenting with some settings that engage the preamp. I've lately taken to setting the active B and T at 50-60% and backing down the volume, but that is not in a metal setting. And I'm curious about how the bass drum is pitched and equalized. Like Fenders, Sadowskys seem to slot nicely in that "just above the bass drum" band. Is the bass "muddy" relative to other things, or "muddy on its own?
 
#20
Joebone said:
I don't play metal, but the Sadowsky 5-24 is among my main axes for the last few years...I can imagine settings that could be on the muddy side, but that's easily fixed, and I'd think the tone of these basses would be ideal for what you describe. Are you using stainless steel rounds? I'd also suggest favoring the bridge pickup by about 10% (I'm assuming you have pickup pan rather than V/V), plucking/picking closer to the bridge, and experimenting with some settings that engage the preamp. I've lately taken to setting the active B and T at 50-60% and backing down the volume, but that is not in a metal setting. And I'm curious about how the bass drum is pitched and equalized. Like Fenders, Sadowskys seem to slot nicely in that "just above the bass drum" band. Is the bass "muddy" relative to other things, or "muddy on its own?
Click to expand...

I am using D'Addario's - I think they are nickle round-wound. In terms of playing with the EQ - the guitarist & engineer are pretty much set that I will not be using the Sadowsky to record so I don't really see the point attempting to please them. I've been advised the Sadowsky "looks great and may even sound awesome live".

My opinion is that the bass sits nicely with the bass drum & the drums in general.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back