minimizing bleed when miking upright bass

jourdan11 · 31st May 2009

I have a recording of a jazz group next week and they all will be playing in the same room.I really want to mic the upright but im afraid the bleed mostly from drums will be to overwhelming.Besides using the pick up pattern on the mics to my advantage is there anything you guys have tried and had good results?

kurt · 31st May 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by jourdan11

I have a recording of a jazz group next week and they all will be playing in the same room.I really want to mic the upright but im afraid the bleed mostly from drums will be to overwhelming.Besides using the pick up pattern on the mics to my advantage is there anything you guys have tried and had good results?

Figure of 8 is your friend.

Stevil · 31st May 2009

gobo between the mic & offending instruments

bass man · 31st May 2009

Its been covered couple of times here , i think the thread is called upright bass still a PITA or something like that .
Anyway

Try dynamic or SD mics - like km 184 or similar SD or EV dyn. sounds good too ( not only RE20 but many other models too )

-Use gobos if you can and try to isolate the bass as much as possible

-Dont forget to record also the pick up signal -this can save your session

- If you cant isolate the bass ,place the band as close to each other as possible ( i am not kidding ) this is a good way to have nice bleed in from cymbals in bass mic ( you will have the bleed in anyway so make sure it sounds good )

- Place the mic under the bridge or string holder .

Dont give up - Upright is a heavy beast and its hard to get it right but once you do your are going to enjoy the smile on your face .

Have fun

Makinithappen · 31st May 2009

I use a Senn shotgun and it sounds great with very little bleed. I love mic'ing up big bass.

jnorman · 31st May 2009

for a stand mic, try a hypercard or short shotgun. otherwise, use a dpa 4061 with the bridge mount.

close/far · 31st May 2009

Or just know that you're going to get bleed, so place the player and mic so that you get bleed that you like the sound of and can use as a piece in the drum kit, too.

31st May 2009	#1
jourdan11 Gear addict Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 404 Thread Starter	minimizing bleed when miking upright bass I have a recording of a jazz group next week and they all will be playing in the same room.I really want to mic the upright but im afraid the bleed mostly from drums will be to overwhelming.Besides using the pick up pattern on the mics to my advantage is there anything you guys have tried and had good results?

31st May 2009	#5
Makinithappen Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: St. Louis, MO USA (Hot Louis) Posts: 1,548	I use a Senn shotgun and it sounds great with very little bleed. I love mic'ing up big bass. __________________ I think you'll find that 'generic and flavourless' is generally something that occurs before the microphone -Karloff70 Two f**in' weeks to make up your mind whether you want a beard or you want a job. This is the Buddy Rich Band; young people...with faces!- Buddy Rich

31st May 2009	#6
jnorman Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 1,717 1 Review written	for a stand mic, try a hypercard or short shotgun. otherwise, use a dpa 4061 with the bridge mount. __________________ jnorman sunridge studios salem, oregon

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31st May 2009	#3
Stevil Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 2,169	gobo between the mic & offending instruments

31st May 2009	#4
bass man Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: europe Posts: 1,505	Its been covered couple of times here , i think the thread is called upright bass still a PITA or something like that . Anyway Try dynamic or SD mics - like km 184 or similar SD or EV dyn. sounds good too ( not only RE20 but many other models too ) -Use gobos if you can and try to isolate the bass as much as possible -Dont forget to record also the pick up signal -this can save your session - If you cant isolate the bass ,place the band as close to each other as possible ( i am not kidding ) this is a good way to have nice bleed in from cymbals in bass mic ( you will have the bleed in anyway so make sure it sounds good ) - Place the mic under the bridge or string holder . Dont give up - Upright is a heavy beast and its hard to get it right but once you do your are going to enjoy the smile on your face . Have fun

31st May 2009	#7
close/far Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 809	Or just know that you're going to get bleed, so place the player and mic so that you get bleed that you like the sound of and can use as a piece in the drum kit, too.