The Bass is LOUD, But...

[s_mcsleazy]

i try to always put the bass more forward but the problem is the "great bass tone" has dissapered. i just want to hand out overdrive pedals to all these bass players and as for the guitar players FORCE THEM AT GUNPOINT TO USE MIDS

wow i sound like phil spector

 

[pacojas]

another shameless plug of "plangent's surf music" disguised as a discussion thread. too funny,... what's the next title gonna be?!!!

 

[FunkMetalBass]

another shameless plug of "plangent's surf music" disguised as a discussion thread. too funny,... what's the next title gonna be?!!!

If so, then I'll criticize the bassline and say that it felt too choppy for the rest of the track (i.e., too much staccato amidst all the legato).

However, I agree with the thread - the bass can be mixed up-front. Where the instrument sits the mix isn't as important as how each instrument sits in the mix. If it feels like it was just crudely added in, or other instruments are inaudible as a result of it, then there's an issue with the bass.

 

[plangentmusic]

another shameless plug of "plangent's surf music" disguised as a discussion thread. too funny,... what's the next title gonna be?!!!

Just sharing music and talking bass bro. Nobody is forcing you to buy anything. Feel free to post your own music and we can talk about that.

 

[plangentmusic]

If so, then I'll criticize the bassline and say that it felt too choppy for the rest of the track (i.e., too much staccato amidst all the legato).

However, I agree with the thread - the bass can be mixed up-front. Where the instrument sits the mix isn't as important as how each instrument sits in the mix. If it feels like it was just crudely added in, or other instruments are inaudible as a result of it, then there's an issue with the bass.

Fair enough, though the staccato juxtaposed against the legato was intentional. Whether it worked for you or not is a personal choice.

And yes, I felt is was an example of how voicing and positioning has as much to do with a part standing out as overall volume.

 

[jefwho]

Pipe line is my favorite surf tune!!! and your arrangement was pretty cool.

that being said i felt the bass was just a bit to much in volume and a bit to high in timber, it really did sound like the bass was recorded separately and not from the same recording.

 

[Gearhead17]

Sounds pretty cool, but I think the bass is drowning out just about everything. I think an overall 3db drop on the bass volume would bring out the drums and guitars a little more. Cool bass tone too. I don't know how your bass tone is "too clicky" (as one post said), obviously you are not listening to it on good enough headphones.

 

[One Drop]

...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.

You asked for opinions but you dismiss anyone's who has contradicted yours.

BTW I agree with your premise wholeheartedly but find your example makes a good case for the opposing camp.

 

[plangentmusic]

You asked for opinions but you dismiss anyone's who has contradicted yours.

BTW I agree with your premise wholeheartedly but find your example makes a good case for the opposing camp.

That's not at all true bro. There are some who think it should be one way or another and I'm cool with that. I may state why my approach was different, but that's cool too. As long as it's constructive and not just mindless insulting, I'm totally fine with it.

Just one guy didn't really offer any critique -- he just said his stuff was better. lol.

 

[John D]

Sounds like someone playing bass over some pre recorded tracks to me.

This is exactly what I thought when I listened to the recording. Good playin', though.

 

[Hellbastard]

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.

+1

I would Lower the level of the Bass and bring out the Kick Drum. A bit more of compression on the bass track will make it sound punchier and also will make it sit better in the mix.

 

[Bernin]

just cut the treble a bit.

 

[THand]

That's not at all true bro. There are some who think it should be one way or another and I'm cool with that. I may state why my approach was different, but that's cool too. As long as it's constructive and not just mindless insulting, I'm totally fine with it.

Just one guy didn't really offer any critique -- he just said his stuff was better. lol.

It seems true to me also.

If you were referring to Joe, he gave constructive criticism & when you didn't follow what he said, he explained again and offered his video as an example of what he was trying to get across.

You responded by criticizing his tone, which IMO, is perfect for his song, and came across as spiteful and defensive.

If you want to post and ask for criticism/compliments thats cool, but try not to be so defensive. To me the drums and guitar sound like they are in another room...the comparison to someone playing bass over a song is pretty accurate to how it sounds to me. That in no way is meant as a criticism of your playing, or tone, but just of how is is mixed, and it's just my opinion(since you asked).

 

[AntekStalich]

In my opinion, the bass is good in the Plantgenmusic's video. IMO, the bass has to play significant role here. Many musicians think in terms of "rhythm section". Good that Sting and some other brilliant bassists did not think that way.

 

[plangentmusic]

It seems true to me also.

If you were referring to Joe, he gave constructive criticism & when you didn't follow what he said, he explained again and offered his video as an example of what he was trying to get across.

You responded by criticizing his tone, which IMO, is perfect for his song, and came across as spiteful and defensive.

If you want to post and ask for criticism/compliments thats cool, but try not to be so defensive. To me the drums and guitar sound like they are in another room...the comparison to someone playing bass over a song is pretty accurate to how it sounds to me. That in no way is meant as a criticism of your playing, or tone, but just of how is is mixed, and it's just my opinion(since you asked).

Well, the "better" example he gave was his OWN. lol. And again, that's cool. I said I liked it, but felt the tone could have been a little fuller. Hey, they're all just pespectives.

I respect what you're saying though. I tend to find more compression gives LESS punch, but I'll take it into consideration.

Interesting that many have commented on the bass drum. I felt it was starting to pop the speakers a bit, so I rolled off quite a bit of low end. It just goes to show how things can sound different on different systems. If everyone is saying it, I have to take it to heart.

I think AntekStalich makes a good point The bass doesn't always have to be "in the mix" so to speak. It can be its own part. Bach thought so all the time!

 

[Hellbastard]

If you find that compression gives "LESS pucnh" maybe you're not using it correctly. A compressor, well used, adds punch to parts that need to be punchier and warmer. Read this article Invalid Link Removed

Being "in the Mix" is not always a matter of being in front or having more volume. in your video I feel that the Bass is out o the mix because it sounds as if you were playing on top of a backing track, and not as a part o a band. If I were you I would try carving more space for the bass using EQ, rather than just plainly raising the volumke of the Bass Track

 

[s_mcsleazy]

i stand by my previous post

 

[plangentmusic]

If you find that compression gives "LESS pucnh" maybe you're not using it correctly. A compressor, well used, adds punch to parts that need to be punchier and warmer. Read this article Invalid Link Removed

Being "in the Mix" is not always a matter of being in front or having more volume. in your video I feel that the Bass is out o the mix because it sounds as if you were playing on top of a backing track, and not as a part o a band. If I were you I would try carving more space for the bass using EQ, rather than just plainly raising the volumke of the Bass Track

Well, the bass is compressed and EQ'd, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's where you like it. Everyone has their own taste.

I do think its interesting that people sounds like it was recorded on top of the tracks. It's true, I DID play bass on top of the tracks! The bass was the last thing to be recorded. (Except for a few fills here and there).

I kinda like the bass sticking out a bit, but understand if someone thinks it's too much.

And mcsleazy -- you hear more mids on the guitar? It's great having other sets of ears. I may not always agree but it's interesting to hear what others hear.

 

[Joe Nerve]

Well, the "better" example he gave was his OWN. lol.

wow. there's some serious ego stuff going on there. i referred to my video as a clear example of what I was telling you about space and how the bass comes out at different points when the music allows. it also shows how I prefer to mix things. you're the only one here who tagged it as "better". sorry you feel the need to attack me with your "lol"s.

seriously, don't ask for criticism if you feel you have to lash out when it isn't what you want to hear.

 

[plangentmusic]

wow. there's some serious ego stuff going on there. i referred to my video as a clear example of what I was telling you about space and how the bass comes out at different points when the music allows. it also shows how I prefer to mix things. you're the only one here who tagged it as "better". sorry you feel the need to attack me with your "lol"s.

seriously, don't ask for criticism if you feel you have to lash out when it isn't what you want to hear.

You fail to understand a few things.

First when someone asks for criticism, it's in the hope it's constructive. That can be an opposing opinion that sheds light on the situation. Just being negative is useless.

And second, I think it's hilarious that you feel I have an ego, yet you regard YOUR mix and one that shows how " the bass comes out when the music allows." It just connotes superiority.

Maybe you didn't mean it that way. Hey, I said I liked your stuff. You didn't say you like mine. And YOU'RE getting touchy?

No problem bro. It's just music