Recording Bass
-
- pluggin' in mics
- Posts: 37
- Joined: Thu Sep 10, 2015 9:51 am
- Location: Sydney, Australia
- Contact:
Recording Bass
Hey all,
I recently interviewed one of Australia's top Bass players and asked him about how he gets his bass sounding amazing on record.
Thought some of you might be interested to have a read...
Recording Bass
So what are you Bass recording tips and tricks?
Nick
I recently interviewed one of Australia's top Bass players and asked him about how he gets his bass sounding amazing on record.
Thought some of you might be interested to have a read...
Recording Bass
So what are you Bass recording tips and tricks?
Nick
I often record bass for post-punk bands that includes distortion or fuzz of some kind. Unfortunately, those effects can kill the low-end. My favourite technique for that sound is to bi-amp the bass, split it before the distortion effect and run it to two amps, one clean, low, and punchy and one with the effect. I mic both amps and run a DI of the clean signal (mostly for backup).
One of the best experiences I had with that setup was actually running the split signal into one two-channel amp, so when the player hit the distortion pedal the clean signal kept coming through and the amp mixed the two. This let him tweak the mix of the two while tracking. We used an 80's Peavey Bass Mk III, which has two separate channels that you can mix to taste. I used one RE20 on a 4x10 cab, and ran a DI. Simple, but it sounded great.
One of the best experiences I had with that setup was actually running the split signal into one two-channel amp, so when the player hit the distortion pedal the clean signal kept coming through and the amp mixed the two. This let him tweak the mix of the two while tracking. We used an 80's Peavey Bass Mk III, which has two separate channels that you can mix to taste. I used one RE20 on a 4x10 cab, and ran a DI. Simple, but it sounded great.
-
- pluggin' in mics
- Posts: 37
- Joined: Thu Sep 10, 2015 9:51 am
- Location: Sydney, Australia
- Contact:
-
- zen recordist
- Posts: 7542
- Joined: Tue Jun 01, 2004 10:30 pm
- Location: Bloomington IL
- Contact:
I very often use a DI and Purple Action and get really good bass sounds. IF the player really wants their amp recorded, I do that too. I pick a mic, and will usually then use a stereo compressor so they have a coherent compression tone. Most recently I used the TOMB favorite ART VLA on bass and it worked pretty well.
-
- pluggin' in mics
- Posts: 37
- Joined: Thu Sep 10, 2015 9:51 am
- Location: Sydney, Australia
- Contact:
compressors?
What about compressor choice.....?
Some like the dbx 160, but I generally find it to be too obvious with its hard knee.
On the other hand the over-easy dbx units (eg. 165) are great and smooth.
But an 1176 (or similar fet clones) is probably my favorite overall bass comp.
Thoughts?
Nick
Some like the dbx 160, but I generally find it to be too obvious with its hard knee.
On the other hand the over-easy dbx units (eg. 165) are great and smooth.
But an 1176 (or similar fet clones) is probably my favorite overall bass comp.
Thoughts?
Nick
- A.David.MacKinnon
- ears didn't survive the freeze
- Posts: 3836
- Joined: Wed May 07, 2003 5:57 am
- Location: Hamilton ON, Canada
- Contact:
- Brett Siler
- moves faders with mind
- Posts: 2518
- Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2003 12:16 pm
- Location: Evansville, IN
- Contact:
What kind of sans amp? The bass driver? Put it just on the bass or all over the mix?joninc wrote:i've been using a DI with an aux send to a SansAmp on another channel. Not crazy blistering fuzz but a little grit helps it speak in the mix. and still sounds clean.
My musical endeavors!
My Music: http://www.brettsiler.bandcamp.com/
StudioMother Brain Sound Infrastructure
My Music: http://www.brettsiler.bandcamp.com/
StudioMother Brain Sound Infrastructure
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 123 guests