Double Bass Six Mic Shootout with.... SHOCKING ? .....Results

[rickwolff]

The reason some of us like to use microphones is that we feel they sound more like the actual sound of the bass.

We all know about the twin challenges of Feedback and Bleed.

I decided to do a little experiment test TONE and BLEED. I didn't specifically look at feedback, though I have a few comments I may add later.

I recorded the following Six Mics into Audacity:

AT2020
Ischell A3
Ischell C3
Prodipe
Shure SM48
Xlson

I can only do ONE POLL, so I asked which mic you think sounds the best.

I would appreciate it if you'd make any appropriate comments about BLEED from the different mics.

First I recorded a sound sample so I could balance the gain of the various mics and get an idea of how they sound 'straight into the recorder' with no EQ and no post-production.

The picture below is how they looked on the screen. The right hand 1/3 of the screen shows the Bleed from an outside sound source. The lines with greater amplitude (thicker lines) let MORE BLEED THROUGH.

The sound files are at the bottom of the page.

 

[rickwolff]

So, those sound clips were 'straight to the recorder' with no EQ

Here is a little clip of the Xlson mic with bass cut (by about 8 db) and treble boosted (by 6db). Notice that my voice is very soft in the background indicating that the Xlson is quite resistant to Bleed.

It's probably worthwhile knowing what the 'raw' sound of a mic is by going straight to the board without EQ, but that isn't probably the way to get the best possible sound out of any mic.

Here is the clip:

 

[rickwolff]

Here's another clip with the Xlson going thru my Fishman Dual Parametric which is cutting bass and boosting highs.

 

[rickwolff]

I think the moral of the story is this:

Whether done 'pre' recorder (with something like the Fishman Dual Parametric) or in Post, on MY BASS, the Xlson Mic can get a Very Clear and Realistic sound but I need to cut bass and boost treble.

 

[Inky13]

I would like to hear the clips but I got an error code on all.

 

[rickwolff]

I would like to hear the clips but I got an error code on all.

I don't know why that is. They play fine for me.

Anyone else??

 

[Inky13]

I don't know why that is. They play fine for me.

Anyone else??

Maybe an ad blocker?

 

[kkenda11]

The files don't play in chrome or safari on IOS devices. They work fine on my laptop.

Very interesting samples. It is a little shocking that the C3 is picking up so much bleed compared to the xlson. I have the older ischell contact mic and have always felt that it provided pretty strong isolation. Other than that I'm findin it a little hard to say much without more closely matching levels.

 

[crd]

I just quickly level matched the tracks. Xlson gets my vote. (I would love a chance to A/B the Xlson with the Nadine mic I've been using... I have to say nothing beats the Nadine for ease of install.)

Man, the trusty shure sm48 really does sound good!

Are you sure the c3 is installed properly? it seems strange that it gets as much or more bleed than the A3.

 

[Martin Spure]

I’m surprised about the amount of bleed on the C3, too. Compared to a previous recording - Ceora - with the C3 set to flat EQ (no HPF) by Rick, the bleed here is quite pronounced. If I recall correctly, the Ceora recording was done on Rick’s other bass, sitting right next to the piano and the bleed from the piano is noticeable, but not nearly as pronounced as in the above clip of the C3.

EDIT: @rickwolff - I hope it’s OK for me to re-post your recording?

 

[rickwolff]

I’m surprised about the amount of bleed on the C3, too. Compared to a previous recording - Ceora - with the C3 set to flat EQ (no HPF) by Rick, the bleed here is quite pronounced. If I recall correctly, the Ceora recording was done on Rick’s other bass, sitting right next to the piano and the bleed from the piano is noticeable, but not nearly as pronounced as in the above clip of the C3.

EDIT: @rickwolff - I hope it’s OK for me to re-post your recording?

Martin, yes, that's fine that you reposted my recording.

The biggest surprise for me also was getting Bleed with the Ischell C3. I re-installed it using the white putty. I can tell if it is 'air-tight' by playing through my amp and making sure it doesn't feedback. Initially, with the re-install, it DID feedback until I pressed down a bit more on the putty to make it airtight.

Since I don't remember having this much bleed from the C3 before, I'm going to try placing it under the G bridge foot (position 1) again, and see if that makes a difference.

Edit: I am also going to just use 1/2 the putty as suggested in the instructions.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Hi all, Rick just posted this notice in another thread in this forum:

My apologies, but my testing was flawed.

I have asked the mods to remove the thread.

Sincerely,

Rick Wolff

Since we have a long standing forum rule about not deleting threads after others have replied, I’m going to split the difference and lock this for a day so those who have replied can see Rick’s message, then delete the thread tomorrow and if Rick wants to try again, he can post again in his own time. As someone who has done a large number of “one man show” videos, I can attest that it’s easy for this kind of thing to happen, and no big deal in the greater scheme. Thanks all!