Small amp for recording?

[CameronJohnson]

I may be unpopular in saying this but...Helix.

Get yourself an HX Stomp (the baby of the Helix family) and bingo - all the amp & cab sims, plus effects, an audio interface, multiple ins/outs, and above all really easy to use. Hundreds of great tones in a box the size of a couple of Boss pedals.

 

[ThinCrappyTone]

Hi, I'm a guitarist/writer and I've been playing bass a bit lately. The DI thing is ok...but it's missing something. I need a practice amp anyway...so, is it possible for me to get a KILLER "recorded" bass tone with a small amp? I'm not interested in any sonic compromise. However, I do record in the wee hours....and bass carries If I could get a really good tone from a small mic'd amp, that would be great. If not, so be it

I use the ampeg pf20t and a 210 av cab for this exact purpose. You can dime the head to get all that juicy power tube drive cooking... and at a very reasonable volume. Also responds to fuzz/od/distortion boxes really well.

 

[DirkP]

I use the ampeg pf20t and a 210 av cab for this exact purpose. You can dime the head to get all that juicy power tube drive cooking... and at a very reasonable volume. Also responds to fuzz/od/distortion boxes really well.

Agree with this recommendation. An additional advantage is that is has a transformer based DI output that can be used for recording and the amp doesn't need a speaker load like other tube amps.

 

[johnpbass]

Another vote for the Ampeg 20T. I've had great results running the Transformer Di out direct to the board.

 

[brianrost]

is it possible for me to get a KILLER "recorded" bass tone with a small amp? I'm not interested in any sonic compromise.

I just did a session the other day where it was requested that I bring my own amp. I've only recorded using an amp once before in forty years, always DI only. I brought my old Hughes and Kettner Blues Master which is a 1 watt tube amp with a built in speaker emulator, but it does have a speaker jack as well. No problem in getting grind from subtle to obnoxious. I plugged that into a Bergantino 1-12. Works great with the emulator, too.

Even one watt gets pretty loud if you dime it....not "keep up with the drums" loud, but a lot louder than you'd think. After all, speakers are often spec'ed in terms of dB measure at one meter and plenty of speaker get into the 90-100 dB range with just one watt.

There are similar super low wattage tube amps out there from a few makers, like the Vox AC4TV (switchable to 4, 1, or 1/4 watts). Most are aimed at guitar use but work fine for bass.

 

[nilorius]

A small and light amp, also with 500w used live, could be Aguilar tone hammer 500

 

[Jim C]

Hi, I'm a guitarist/writer and I've been playing bass a bit lately. The DI thing is ok...but it's missing something. I need a practice amp anyway...so, is it possible for me to get a KILLER "recorded" bass tone with a small amp? I'm not interested in any sonic compromise. However, I do record in the wee hours....and bass carries If I could get a really good tone from a small mic'd amp, that would be great. If not, so be it

When you said practice amp, did you mean spending over $500?
While a B-15 is a great studio / practice amp, do you want to drop over $1K for an amp that is not loud enough for 90% of any pop gigs?

I associate prectice amp with inexpensive.

 

[Paulabass]

A vintage B-15, or either of the modern Ampeg tube flip tops.

 

[Slevage]

Line 6 Studio 10

 

[lexefx]

Prior to my Hellborg, I have used an original SWR baby blue to record. Sounds great direct, mics up decent and works well as a monitor. It's pretty small, taking one hand to haul in. Nothing like a 1 trip load in.

 

[RichGrippo]

I have been playing and mic recording basses for over 50 years. I have tried a lot of combinations. I always end up back to one amp —> Ampeg B15N Portaflex fliptop. The tone is just so sweet and recordable. Mine is a ‘63 so only 30 Watts, which sounds perfect for your needs. I am actually downsizing and my wife will not let me keep three bass amps so the B15 is for sale. But these classic amps are not cheap. I will be putting it on TalkBass and eBay for $2800. Let me know if you are interested and we can work a deal.

 

[JimmyM]

"B-15"...Are you talking about the 30w Tube amp?

Well mine is 25w, but yep!

 

[Toddbass65]

Shameless plug ...but I think I'd keep this if I was doing recording.
For Sale - Vox VX50 BA Combo Amp - PRICE DROP

 

[NorseBear0903]

with a solid DI/interface and a decent cab sim you can get a great recording going direct. not sure you need the small amp.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Recording in the wee hours - use a DI.

 

[Greyvagabond]

You can get weirdly awesome bass tones from small amps. I've mic'd my EBS session 30, which only has an 8" speaker, to great effect. Without having to move a lot of air, a small combo can sound great. Be careful not to shove a mic too close or you'll wind up with too much bass; back it off a little and you get lots of mids and overtones, and you can adjust with EQ if you need more low-end in the mix later.

 

[Bodeeni]

I did a lot of recording through a Fender Princeton. It sounded great at low volume.
That being said, I always go direct and monitor through headphones. I have not miked an amp in over 20 years, maybe 30.

 

[Greyvagabond]

I recently accidentally bought an EBS Session 60 and for the price I paid it is a lot of amp for quiet playing.

The pre-amp on those Session amps is really good. Quite tube-ish for a SS combo when you crank the gain.

 

[EatS1stBassist]

Hi, I'm a guitarist/writer and I've been playing bass a bit lately. The DI thing is ok...but it's missing something. I need a practice amp anyway...so, is it possible for me to get a KILLER "recorded" bass tone with a small amp? I'm not interested in any sonic compromise. However, I do record in the wee hours....and bass carries If I could get a really good tone from a small mic'd amp, that would be great. If not, so be it

Fender Rumble!!

 

[Teijo K.]

The pre-amp on those Session amps is really good. Quite tube-ish for a SS combo when you crank the gain.

I like the eq. The character button that changes high cut/boost in to high boost+mid cut / high cut+mid boost is my new favourite eq. High cut+mid boost all the time.