recording bass options

[dg27]

Re: recording bass options

I pretty much always run the bass straight into the mixer inputs, with maybe a chorus or light fuzz once in a blue moon (I like to run bass clean), and record the same exact take on two different tracks, each one panned center. Then I EQ it where it sounds good (usually boosted in the 100-300 Hz range, very SLIGHTLY dipped between 300-500 Hz, and then slightly boosted from 500-1K Hz; the high mids are kept level, and cut the really high frequencies that don't have a lot of information. This is the best way I've found for my music to retain low end, and create a really thick bass sound that sits well, with plenty of room for the guitar. while completely filling out the space between the guitar and drums. But I don't know if you're going for a heavy bass tone.

Thanks so much for these tips: I'm going to try them on the direct (dry) tracks I've recorded and see how it goes. I like a very bottomey bass.

 

[koshikas]

Re: recording bass options

I pretty much always run the bass straight into the mixer inputs,

I guess you are taking about an active bass here.

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[Myaccount876]

Re: recording bass options

I guess you are taking about an active bass here.

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Nope passive. It works though?

I have run both active and passive basses straight into the board, and they both worked fine.

 

[koshikas]

Re: recording bass options

Nope passive. It works though?

I have run both active and passive basses straight into the board, and they both worked fine.

i've had mixed results with passive basses running direct to mixer boards. most mixers would require cranking on gain to get decent signal levels. and when you do that there is not enough headroom and you get the feeling that its either overdriven or distorted.

but I admit going direct to the board is better than plugging a passive bass via passive DI into the board. you really need an active DI for that to work.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: recording bass options

As long as whatever you are plugging into has an INSTRUMENT LEVEL INPUT (usually a button labeled Inst or DI or Direct Injection, or a separate input altogether) it does not matter whether your bass has active electronics.

An instrument plugged into a line level or mic level input has the incorrect level and impedance to work, hence the gain hike and general tone suck. That is when a DI is needed.

Many channel strips have a 'High Z' input which is mistaken for a DI, but this is referring to microphone impedance, and should be verified before assuming it can accommodate a pickup's signal. It varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, though.

If you use a DI, whether it is passive or not has no bearing on its functionality, but there can be significant differences in the way it affects your DI tone. It will still work, however.

 

[uOpt]

Re: recording bass options

I usually do a certain amount of EQ in the general direction I need anyway, before the computer interface. There is no need to give up headroom for the benefit of extreme dynamics in frequencies you don't want in the first place.

I often also do the compression before, also for the same headroom reasons, but this is less clearly a win since EQ can be undone but compression cannot.

Actually, I could do a little project. I make a video while recording that shows the LEDs on the compressor with a precise timestamp and then I could compute it out later.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: recording bass options

^ A sensible approach, but if you are recording and gain staging to a sane level, headroom should not be a factor. I DO like your idea of committing to EQ and effects, however. I almost always track bass DI w some comp and EQ as well.

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: recording bass options

As long as whatever you are plugging into has an INSTRUMENT LEVEL INPUT (usually a button labeled Inst or DI or Direct Injection, or a separate input altogether) it does not matter whether your bass has active electronics.

An instrument plugged into a line level or mic level input has the incorrect level and impedance to work, hence the gain hike and general tone suck. That is when a DI is needed.

Many channel strips have a 'High Z' input which is mistaken for a DI, but this is referring to microphone impedance, and should be verified before assuming it can accommodate a pickup's signal. It varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, though.

If you use a DI, whether it is passive or not has no bearing on its functionality, but there can be significant differences in the way it affects your DI tone. It will still work, however.

I'll double check to see if my board has instrument level impedance. I'm pretty sure it does, because I barely have to turn the gain up.

 

[uOpt]

Re: recording bass options

^ A sensible approach, but if you are recording and gain staging to a sane level, headroom should not be a factor. I DO like your idea of committing to EQ and effects, however. I almost always track bass DI w some comp and EQ as well.

Maybe it is because I once spent a short stint recording on analog, but even with digital recording I am still convinced that correct gain (not recording at a too low level) is about the equivalent of getting the exposure right in photography.

I really don't like to deal with tracks that have wimpy overall gain and then some huge spikes in there that don't add to the music. That is even if there is no noise, if I can easily deal with the spikes later and if I had enough bits. Which I don't, 24 bit recording is often a bit hassle if you care for ease of dealing with OS drivers, and I don't see the overall win.

So, it's all in my head

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: recording bass options

When I record bass I always use the direct out on my GK amps and press the "POST EQ" button so it records the same way the amp sounds without having to mic it (which I don't like recording bass with a mic). I have had beautiful results recording bass this way for almost two decades now.

 

[dg27]

Re: recording bass options

I DO like your idea of committing to EQ and effects, however. I almost always track bass DI w some comp and EQ as well.

Will have to try that. Thanks, UOpt and TO...