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The Bass is LOUD, But...

P

plangentmusic

Inactive
Jun 30, 2010
1,922
45
Manhattan
#1
...depending on how it's played and how it sounds and how it's voiced with the arrangement, a bass can be VERY up-front without it being "too much."

This is an example of something I presented a while back to BASS PLAYERS, many of whom felt the bass was mixed to high. Meanwhile, critics, reviewers and most people in general don't hear it that way. Have we been brainwashed by so many guitarists, producers, club owners, that audible bass is something to be shunned?

What do you think? All TB member opinions are welcome.


What's the verdict. Too much? Or just enough? Thanks.
 
#2
plangentmusic said:
...depending on how it's played and how it sounds and how it's voiced with the arrangement, a bass can be VERY up-front without it being "too much."

This is an example of something I presented a while back to BASS PLAYERS, many of whom felt the bass was mixed to high. Meanwhile, critics, reviewers and most people in general don't hear it that way. Have we been brainwashed by so many guitarists, producers, club owners, that audible bass is something to be shunned?

What do you think? All TB member opinions are welcome.


What's the verdict. Too much? Or just enough? Thanks.
Click to expand...


I think, and it's probably because I come from a jamacian/ reggae background... It seems fine, but when the distortion guitar starts playing -- I think the bass should be more prominent. I'd also say in that style thats what you want.. It's sort of got a island/reggae feel and the bass needs to be popping out. You should be just as loud as that lead guitar.\

It might just be the recording but, I feel it's lacking in the bass catagorey, you cut through fine but needs a thick bottom behind it, probably either my speakers or the recording though.
 
#3
I think it could be better mixed. Kick drum is buried on my speakers, and the guitars seems a bit far away. There's enough room in the instrumentation for the bass to be clear and up front without it being as in your face as it is. Sounds like someone playing bass over some pre recorded tracks to me.
 
#4
Joe Nerve said:
I think it could be better mixed. Kick drum is buried on my speakers, and the guitars seems a bit far away. There's enough room in the instrumentation for the bass to be clear and up front without it being as in your face as it is. Sounds like someone playing bass over some pre recorded tracks to me.
Click to expand...

More "up front" but less "in your face." Not sure if I get that.
 
#5
Drifta said:
I think, and it's probably because I come from a jamacian/ reggae background... It seems fine, but when the distortion guitar starts playing -- I think the bass should be more prominent. I'd also say in that style thats what you want.. It's sort of got a island/reggae feel and the bass needs to be popping out. You should be just as loud as that lead guitar.\

It might just be the recording but, I feel it's lacking in the bass catagorey, you cut through fine but needs a thick bottom behind it, probably either my speakers or the recording though.
Click to expand...

You think it can have MORE bass? Interesting. It isn't really reggae but I see what you mean.
 
#6
plangentmusic said:
More "up front" but less "in your face." Not sure if I get that.
Click to expand...

The bass can cut through clearly without it being so loud in the mix. As I hear it, it sounds like it's sitting on top of everything and not really gelling with the track. My words were perhaps poorly chosen but I guess I meant:

Up front - clearly heard.

In your face - too loud in the mix.

While I know it's a totally different genre - if you listen to the mix on my vid below, the bass is mixed in so it comes out at ya when the rest of the music allows it to. All the instruments share the spotlight equally and no particular one overpowers any other. Had the bass been any more up in the mix I think it would have been annoying or tiresome to listen to.
 
#8
Joe Nerve said:
The bass can cut through clearly without it being so loud in the mix. As I hear it, it sounds like it's sitting on top of everything and not really gelling with the track. My words were perhaps poorly chosen but I guess I meant:

Up front - clearly heard.

In your face - too loud in the mix.

While I know it's a totally different genre - if you listen to the mix on my vid below, the bass is mixed in so it comes out at ya when the rest of the music allows it to. All the instruments share the spotlight equally and no particular one overpowers any other. Had the bass been any more up in the mix I think it would have been annoying or tiresome to listen to.
Click to expand...


Hmm, gotta disagree. First of all, we're comparing a straight tone to a slapped tone and a thicker arrangement to a more bare one and an opposing rhythm to one that's more unison. Totally apples and oranges.

I think your tune is cool and the playing is good but I think the bass tone is a little "clicky." No offense.
 
#10
IMO it is too loud. Audible doesn't have to mean overpowering. Honestly, is the bass the most interesting thing going on in this music? No, it's repetitive. And yet here it is in the spotlight. If you want the glory, don't switch to guitar, but play something glorious.
 
#15
Too much, by a bit, IMO.

I feel in this type of instrumental everything should be finely balanced and the bass should only really be noticeable if you concentrate on it. Maybe with the kick (and drums in general) a bit more forward in the mix the bass would sound fine.

A lot of '60s pop had the bass mixed quite high, but of course the drums were generally mixed louder than they tend to be these days, too.
 
#17
M0ses said:
IMO it is too loud. Audible doesn't have to mean overpowering. Honestly, is the bass the most interesting thing going on in this music? No, it's repetitive. And yet here it is in the spotlight. If you want the glory, don't switch to guitar, but play something glorious.
Click to expand...

Well, I'm playing all the instruments on the video so it isn't a matter of wanted more of ME up front. :)

Nor do I feel it necessary to demonstrate technical prowess in order to justify a part being up front.

If you listened, you'd know the bass actually takes a lead role on the bridge. (Whether or not you like it is subjective). I also believe that sometimes a groove is glorious on its own.

But again, if it doesn't hit you, it doesn't hit you. I'm not questioning the critique -- just the rational behind it.
 

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