DI or amp?

[Kaoz]

Do both, blend to taste.

[Tinderwet]

Going DI is kinda "safer", you can get a usable bass sound easily, especially if you use some amp/cab sim plugins on it. But the sound of a real, miked amp might just be the thing you instantly fall in love with, for its power and more organic sound.
Or as Kaoz said, just combine the two and see if you like it better that way. Just watch phase relationship between the two tracks if you do so.

The Frames album you mentioned sounds like they miked it.

[ModernMixing]

I would prefer to mic but I always found in small, not so great, recording environments that once the amp was recorded you were kind of stuck with the sound. I know a lot of guitar players have their "sound" but in these cases it didnt even seem like they knew what sound was going to come out of it. So I usually prefer to just DI and use one of many great simulator plugins. That way I can mess about with it to get the tone that fits best in the mix. Bass I would really just go DI or use a VST depending on what was needed

[Scooter Trash]

Originally Posted by Kaoz

Do both, blend to taste.

+1

[tgsmith489]

Thanks! I'll definitely try both that way I can test them out. How about with an acoustic guitar? Should I Mic the soundhole or does that make it sound thinner? The last time I tried it, it just sounded really thin, but that was with a usb Mic.

[skinnypete]

If your just getting started with recording, just DI the bass. Dont bother with micing the amp, to much of a hassle, and you can use plugins later if you need to.

For acoustic guitar, use a condenser mic.

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[scorpix74]

Use a condenser and don't mic the soundhole this is often the worst placement you can choose.

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[ROBOCOPROBOT]

Originally Posted by tgsmith489

Thanks! I'll definitely try both that way I can test them out. How about with an acoustic guitar? Should I Mic the soundhole or does that make it sound thinner? The last time I tried it, it just sounded really thin, but that was with a usb Mic.

Best place to ball-park acoustic guitar micing is about somewhere around 4-6 inches away (further if you want to cut out more bass from proximity effect) pointed towards the 12th fret.

There's more finger detail further up the fret board, and more rumble and warmth closer to the resonator.

SDC's are more detailed, while a good LDC can be warmer, smoother and more surreal sounding.

You can also get a cool stereo effect by doing an XY pair of SDC's around the 12th fret and panning them hard left and hard right during the mix down.

[tgsmith489]

Will it be loud enough if I'm micing around the 12th fret?

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[LoFi_By_Choice]

Originally Posted by tgsmith489

Will it be loud enough if I'm micing around the 12th fret?

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Not if it's an electric bass!

If you are using an acoustic electric, I've miked about 18" from the bridge and blended with a DI signal and gotten pretty good results.

I would assume you are talking about an electric bass/amp combo. Don't mic the bass itself, just the amp.

[scorpix74]

I understood acoustic guitar.

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[tgsmith489]

Originally Posted by LoFi_By_Choice

Not if it's an electric bass!

If you are using an acoustic electric, I've miked about 18" from the bridge and blended with a DI signal and gotten pretty good results.

I would assume you are talking about an electric bass/amp combo. Don't mic the bass itself, just the amp.

I meant an acoustic guitar. Not bass haha

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[ROBOCOPROBOT]

Originally Posted by tgsmith489

Will it be loud enough if I'm micing around the 12th fret?

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Yep, should be, especially if you use a decent quality condenser mic. If not just turn up the preamp you're using for the mic, that's what it's there for.

You don't need to run the signal too hot, just make sure you get it around -18 to -12db on your DAW's meter, you can go lower than that if you want to, I just wouldn't go higher because you'll risk clipping.

[Gold Morgan]

most guys just go DI.