Live rock: Isolating bass cabs?

AjD · 16th April 2008

How do you guys handle micing an electric bass guitar cabinet, in the context of recording a full rock band, and get the most (possible) isolation on the track?

I just did a session with a five piece funk-blues band - everyone pretty loud. The electric guitar amp (about 12 feet from the drummer) - SM57 on the cone behind a mini-baffle- recorded with nice isolation.

The bass amp (an Ampeg B15) however, did not. It was similarly located - about 10 feet from the drums, behind a baffle, using a Sennheiser 421. There was lots of drum bleed, which of course I can roll-off a bit, but there's got to be a better way.

Perhaps a better mic? What sort of microphone would you guys use in this situation (bass cab, tight pattern, etc.) Maybe an SM7? Or a Beyer 88? Fyi, I had the 421 aimed sideways, so the side null was pointing towards the kit.

Aj

**Remoteness** · 17th April 2008

Have you tried creating a small tunnel or tent around the mic?
Sound blankets work well for this situation.

stuntbutt · 17th April 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by AjD

I had the 421 aimed sideways, so the side null was pointing towards the kit.

Aj

The angle of least sensitivity on a 421 is 180 degrees, not 90 degrees. If you were getting lots of drums in the bass amp, the amp probably needed to be louder.

danijel · 18th April 2008

this is basic, but just in case you don't know: did you record the bass DI also? it is common to mix mic'd amp and DI, which, obviously, yelds less spill.
BTW, i mixed only a couple of live rock recordings, and spill in bass was always barely noticeable. perhaps for live they mic closer because of feed-back? (i'm talking microphones that are both for PA and for the recording.)

**Remoteness** · 18th April 2008

if you did use a DI you can always re-amp the signal and mic the cab during the mix or as an O/D.

16th April 2008	#1
AjD Gear addict Joined: Jul 2005 Location: Dexter/Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 312 Thread Starter	Live rock: Isolating bass cabs? How do you guys handle micing an electric bass guitar cabinet, in the context of recording a full rock band, and get the most (possible) isolation on the track? I just did a session with a five piece funk-blues band - everyone pretty loud. The electric guitar amp (about 12 feet from the drummer) - SM57 on the cone behind a mini-baffle- recorded with nice isolation. The bass amp (an Ampeg B15) however, did not. It was similarly located - about 10 feet from the drums, behind a baffle, using a Sennheiser 421. There was lots of drum bleed, which of course I can roll-off a bit, but there's got to be a better way. Perhaps a better mic? What sort of microphone would you guys use in this situation (bass cab, tight pattern, etc.) Maybe an SM7? Or a Beyer 88? Fyi, I had the 421 aimed sideways, so the side null was pointing towards the kit. Aj __________________ "(People) believe that solutions emerge from judicious study of discernible reality. That's not the way the world works anymore. We're an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you're studying that reality - judiciously, as you will - we'll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, & that's how things will sort out. We're history's actors... and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do.'' - Senior Bush advisor, NY Times, 10/17/04

17th April 2008	#2
Remoteness Super Moderator Joined: Aug 2002 Location: NYC Posts: 7,405	Have you tried creating a small tunnel or tent around the mic? Sound blankets work well for this situation. __________________ Steve Remote AuraSonicLtd.com the home of ASL Mobile & Location Production Remoteness on the Linkedin Network What about my Facebook Profile? Remoteness on Myspace

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18th April 2008	#4
danijel Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2008 Location: Belgrade, Serbia Posts: 1,732	this is basic, but just in case you don't know: did you record the bass DI also? it is common to mix mic'd amp and DI, which, obviously, yelds less spill. BTW, i mixed only a couple of live rock recordings, and spill in bass was always barely noticeable. perhaps for live they mic closer because of feed-back? (i'm talking microphones that are both for PA and for the recording.)