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Double Bass What do I need for recording my double bass?

D

dash_riprock

May 6, 2009
3
0
Washington, DC
#1
Hi,

I don't know anything about making recordings so I'm looking for some direction on how to get started. My objective is to be able to record myself playing multiple parts, like both parts of a duet, and then merge them together. I have a Mac computer but I don't know what other things I need like microphones and how to hook microphones to the Mac. I also don't know how to sync up multiple tracks to make a single piece.
 
#2
If you have a Mac from the past few years, you have Garageband, which will do what you want. Even though most recent Macs have built in mics, you can do better for relatively little money. I'd recommend getting either an inexpensive USB mic, or something like a Zoom H2, which you can use as a portable recording device and also as a mic/interface for your computer.

If you're not an intuitive person with this kind of thing and like to have instructions to follow, there are a couple of good "Garageband for Dummies" types of books out there. I have one, and it puts me at ease, as anything with my name in the title should. Good luck.
 
#3
You need a audio interface and a microphone. Which interface and which mic depends on a LOT of variables (so many choices). What is the final goal for the recordings? Are you planning on selling the music or just sticking on the web somewhere? Do you need to record more than one instrument at once or will you try multiple microphone setups? Do you have a budget?
 
#5
First, there are a lot of books to help you get started, even one pretty good one (albeit dated by now) in the "for Dummies" series.

Second, you'll find your biggest expense will be Mics. No, the mics you use on stage are not the ones you'll use to record. Fortunately there are now a lot of relatively inexpensive condenser mics now available on the market.

So many points to ponder, so little time.
 
#8
I use a much more inexpensive version of this Invalid Link Removed

I plug one end into my bass and the other into the mic jack of my laptop. Works great if you use the right kind of music/recording program. You get pretty good quality sound if you plug it directly into your bass, but if you plug it into the 'line out' jack of your amp/head the quality is even better.
 
#9
It all really depends on what you want to record, but going "direct" with the bass is probably the best way to get a good recording. I've got a Line 6 USB interface that works really well. Their GX unit is only $100 and will give you direct recording with Line 6 amp models and effects (if you're in to that sort of thing :)) For about $50 more, the UX1 gives you a mic input/preamp as well. They've got headphone outs too, so you can be creative without bothering anybody else! Here's a link:

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As somebody else mentioned, if you have even a remotely new Mac, you've already got Garageband, which is a great recording program. It comes with a bunch of loops that you can use to build songs, or practice to. You can also get "Jam Packs" for it which are expansions with thousands more loops.

Good luck! Computer-based recording has really come a long way in the past few years. Never has so much technology and recording capability been in the hands of people on couches everywhere!!
 
#11
Chris Fitzgerald said:
Hey fellas, you do realize this is a double bass thread, right? Most of us old acoustic loving basstids aren't much into the whole "direct from the pickup" sound. We like to hear the air moved by the instrument.
Click to expand...

and to that end (the higher end) I'd like to suggest that an Apogee
Duet with a cuppla fine mics (Josephson C42's or the like) in a stereo array will get you a really great usable live recording (depending on mic placement of course....mic placement is EVERYTHING in a stereo recording...) I have been taking my laptop and duet to gigs lately and setting up one mic stand with two condensers and I am beginning to get some very good results....
I have been borrowing mics up til now but I am almost ready to spring for the Josephsons....although a pair of schoeps is what I really want....
 
#12
Sounds cool all right flatback.

Some of the recordings I've heard from the digital handheld jobs are surprisingly good (Zoom, Edirol, more). One obvious benefit is the small size and portability.

Seems like the models that let you connect an external mic would be even more flexible, yes? The Zoom H4 and H4n have a pair of dual 1/4" / XLR input jacks, with phantom power even. Anybody use these with external mics and having success?

Wish the Edirol had this feature, although it does have a 1/8" stereo mic input. Huh.
 
#13
bolo said:
Wish the Edirol had this feature, although it does have a 1/8" stereo mic input. Huh.
Click to expand...

I use the 1/8" line in to connect external mics to in my home studio. The duos with Dave Klingman on my site were recorded this way, and I must admit the unit sounds even better (much better, in fact) to my ears with the external mics through that little jack than it does with the internal mics. I guess a true audiophile would balk at the idea of using a 1/8" stereo connector in place of an XLR, but then a true audiophile probably wouldn't be recording on a dinky little handheld flash recorder, either....
 
#16
I highly recommend the Blue Snowball USB mic into GB. For some reason this cheapo condenser sounds great on DB. For my .02, cheap & dirty doesn't get any easier or sound any better.

For 'full featured' recording, I use Logic 8. <you might want to start out on Logic express if you don't need all the features > For live I use a Zoom H4 on a mic stand.
 

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