Bass guitar recording

[chetatkinsdiet]

Originally Posted by nandoanalog

Anyone dares to post some samples of some bass tracks they recorded?...

Here's some we did really quickly a year or so back:

www.myspace.com/natefowlerselixir

It was a pbass with a very talented player into my ampeg fliptop. I think it's into a countryman or similar, basic DI, then into the amp...anyway, the amp is mic'd with an RE20 and the DI went to the board pres at the time which were an old Studiomaster P7 board. Not too shabby. I didn't have anything else at the practice room where we were.

m

[pan60]

Originally Posted by Unclenny

Great advise...thanks.

yes :)

[FFTT]

I didn't understand these simple rules until I started recording and really started listening to what was going on.

It's funny how a bass player and a drummer can be a part of the same band, but never listen to each other.

The same goes for the lead player who never listens to the singer.

The idea is to make the song stronger by working together.

It's like you have a bunch of players within their own personal bubbles
and you have to burst those smaller bubbles in order to make a larger
one that includes everyone together.

You also notice improvements in the clarity of vocals when the band drives together rather than individuals competing for their position in the limelight.

All together now!

[outofphase]

Originally Posted by mr. torture

The type of music I do is 80's Metal. Some bands for reference are, Ozzy, Accept, Judas Priest, Sabbath, Maiden etc.

I am currently working on capturing a good bass tone. This is the chain:

BC Rich custom shop Warlock Bass > Ampeg SVT-3 Pro > Ampeg 1-15 Cabinet > RE-20 > Great River Preamp > Distressor.

The bass comes out pretty good in the low end, but notes in the upper register seem to get lost. Maintaining a consistant uniformed level of all notes / strings is a problem I cannot seem to fix.

My room is treated using Ethan's designs, using rigid fiberglass and assorted panels. I also have aurlex bass traps in the corners of the room. The room is about 12' x 15' in size.

The player is a finger player, with over 20 years of experience. The problem is at my end, trying to capture a uniform level that cut's through the mix.

My guitar sounds are typical 80's, light on their own, thin but crunchy and fit the mix perfectly. Drums are BFD.

I guess I am looking for some advice as to mic placement, amplifier settings, alternatives to my current chain. I thank you all in advance for any suggestions you may be able to provide.

Nothing beats a good ol' Fender Precision Bass played with a pick through an Ampeg SVT on a 8x10 cabinet miced with a RE20, then some dirty and colourfull Mic pre like an API or 1073 through a black face 1176, if you can use tape, better!!

my 2 cents.

[FFTT]

One thing I forgot to mention is that I generally lay down my final bass track LAST
after all the other parts are down, so that I'm certain none of my parts step
on any of the other parts.

[drummerboy1533]

I just scored on the REDDI,and.......................ugh.........d ang! The chain is a Schecter Diamond Bass(active PUPS-yeah-I know),into the Sansamp RBI for flavor/REDDI/ME1NV/MC77/CL1b/Mytek 96AD.It just sounds too good to be true-lots better than the old route for sure.I don't bother to amp.

[elpezpr]

If you like what's coming out the amp: 1-move the mic 2- move the mic some more 3- change the mic 4- move the mic 5- go back to to step 3&4. If this is not working the sound you are after is the DI or a mix of mic/DI. Do not skimp on a DI(and preamp for it), it will make a diference. When I have a "dificult" bass player I set up a MD421, D12, U47FET and DI. He can then choose wich one he likes. It's ususally a 75% DI and 25% Mic. You need a really good player with good gear to ge a good microphone sound. I also use a DBX160XT to tame those peaks. For a 80's sound the other day I recorded my friend's new Ephiphone Thunderbird using an old TNT150>D12>GML8302>dbx160XT>DAW and it sounded just like the 80's metal.

[rwhitney]

I prefer miking an isolated cabinet, but the DI is an important safety net. I recently changed from TLM-170 to U-87 for this application (because they showed one on the excellent IK Media SVT emulation plugin--called SVX or something). I can't post a clip because I'm maxed out. It would be more useful to have clips for everything, but I understand the bandwidth/server space issue.

My current favorite setup for a warm rock/pop bass sound is:

Fender Precision or Jazz>Ampeg SVT Classic head>6x10 SVT Classic cabinet>U87 omni on axis about 10" inches away from a speaker>good preamp. (I'm not using a compressor on the front end right now.) I like the sound of the Aguilar DB900 tube DI.

To avoid boominess, I don't boost the lows much (somewhere around 12, or straight up, on the SVT), and I try to get enough high frequency for note definition.

My main recommendation is to try a Neumann U-87 on bass cab, if you haven't already.

[samwinston123]

I am partial to an LDC and an SM57 right up on the grill, then combined and sent through an 1176 in all button mode for mixing.

[rwhitney]

Originally Posted by samwinston123

I am partial to an LDC and an SM57 right up on the grill, then combined and sent through an 1176 in all button mode for mixing.

Thanks for mentioning the SM57--I keep forgetting to try that. Do you put the LDC right up on the grill, too? No damage to the mic? How loud do you record? I've been reluctant to place a U87 that close because I crank it up a bit.

[samwinston123]

Originally Posted by rwhitney

Thanks for mentioning the SM57--I keep forgetting to try that. Do you put the LDC right up on the grill, too? No damage to the mic? How loud do you record? I've been reluctant to place a U87 that close because I crank it up a bit.

I've never tried it with a U87. I'm not sure how strong the capsules are, I've never looked up the SPL handling. I've used a u47 fet, 414, and a Rode NT2000 with no problems though.