Distortion/clipping on bass tracks: big deal?

davetron5000 · 15th June 2006

Tracking my band's EP right now (I am the bass player). I didn't notice it at the time, but I ended up overloading the preamp used as a DI and so both my DI and mic'ed bass tracks have some distortion on them. It's not unpleasant digital clipping, more like a very slight dirty/fuzz. When soloed, it's noticeable, though mostly when the bass gets loud. With other instruments up, you cannot tell.

I won't be mixing it, we're going to an actual studio for that, so will this distortion make a big difference? I won't be able to retrack them with an amp, though I could do it DI and use Amplitube. I'd prefer not, though, because I like the sound I got (outside of the distortion)

bpatural · 15th June 2006

If it's rock, it's probably cool....if it's bugging you, just filter off some high end.
-brian

Farview · 15th June 2006

You could also try a high pass filter (low cut) at 20hz. Since a the flat part of a clipped waveform is technically a DC signal (DC is 0hz) a low cut will sometimes soften the waveform. It really depends how it was distorted, YMMV.

blackcatdigi · 15th June 2006

IMHO,

Bass + (good sounding) Distortion = Good Bass

You could retrack and decide at mix.

15th June 2006	#1
davetron5000 Gear nut Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 92 Thread Starter	Distortion/clipping on bass tracks: big deal? Tracking my band's EP right now (I am the bass player). I didn't notice it at the time, but I ended up overloading the preamp used as a DI and so both my DI and mic'ed bass tracks have some distortion on them. It's not unpleasant digital clipping, more like a very slight dirty/fuzz. When soloed, it's noticeable, though mostly when the bass gets loud. With other instruments up, you cannot tell. I won't be mixing it, we're going to an actual studio for that, so will this distortion make a big difference? I won't be able to retrack them with an amp, though I could do it DI and use Amplitube. I'd prefer not, though, because I like the sound I got (outside of the distortion)

15th June 2006	#3
Farview Gear addict Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 387	You could also try a high pass filter (low cut) at 20hz. Since a the flat part of a clipped waveform is technically a DC signal (DC is 0hz) a low cut will sometimes soften the waveform. It really depends how it was distorted, YMMV. __________________ Jason 'Jay' Walsh Farview Recording - And check out Farview's Rock Drum samples for Drumagog exclusively at the Drumagog store!!!

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15th June 2006	#2
bpatural Gear addict Joined: Nov 2004 Location: Santa Barbara Posts: 497	If it's rock, it's probably cool....if it's bugging you, just filter off some high end. -brian

15th June 2006	#4
blackcatdigi Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2002 Location: upstate, sc Posts: 1,739	IMHO, Bass + (good sounding) Distortion = Good Bass You could retrack and decide at mix.