What volume do you record at?

[Deesack]

When recording your bass track into the mix, do you have the bass loud so you can hear over the rest, then bring it down in post production? Or do you record it at the volume it should be when mixed in?

 

[gregmerrill]

Do what is comfortable for you as long as you are not messing up anyone elses mix that may be recording at the same time. Your volume can be adjusted after you record it.

 

[Deesack]

cool. I was wondering what gives you guys the best results.. playing so you can actually hear your own bass real loud over the rest, or play so you barely hear your own bass--like you do when listening to the final mix.

I'm more comfy playin with it loud so I hear myself, but I kinda want to play hearing what it sounds like in real time, rather than in post. I'm still learning and experimenting

 

[gregmerrill]

I get fustrated if I cant hear my self the way I normaly do and then I start to slam on the strings and it can effect my time ect. I love the tone of the bass when it is loud in the mix. When it's barely there in the mix its unmoving. That can be fustrating if your playing with a large group where vocals get priority. I think that's why I always loved Rush so much because the darn bass is so heavy in the mix. For me the best results are going to be when I can hear my self enough to where I can hear the my ghost notes. If I'm to loud then I feel naked and will not play agressive enough.

 

[sonic assassin]

well if you're tracking live and dont have cue mixes, i can see this being an issue. but when multitracking, you can just turn yourself up in the headphones.

at which point i turn myself up louder than its going to be mixed so i know where im at.

as for as recording level, i want to get it loud enough to get a good signal to noise ratio. i dont want to be compressing a bunch of fans and coughs and whatever else ends up in the track because im never in a good room.

my hartke was a nightmare to record because you couldnt turn the fan off. ugh.

 

[groooooove]

depends on the type of music, and how your playing.

if on the song you want to have a light-touch fingerstyle sound, turn yourself up while tracking, and youll naturally pluck softer. turn down if you wanna force yourself to pluck harder (without being concious of it..)

if im tracking my part, i like to be heard in my headphones just a little, then turn up in the room if i can. no headphones can replicate feeling your sound in the room. adds to the energy.

 

[JimmyM]

I generally record the bass right after the drums, although I will sometimes re-record the bass after everything else is done. When it's just drums and bass, I tend to record with the bass kind of loud over the drums. When I'm recording over everything else, I like to hear it as it would sound in the mix, maybe just slightly boosted.

 

[Trapezius]

I hate to hear myself too loud, that always makes me play weaker. I want LOUD drums, a bit less bass and a little of the rest, if any other tracks are recorded.