What is unamplified slap bass supposed to sound like?

['59]

Good evening folks,

I am learning slap bass, but since I currently don't have a working amp, I'm playing unplugged. This is also how I prefer to practice anyway, since going through the whole plug in process is a bit of a turn off.

But anyway, I'm hearing a lot of clicking on the high fret when I play accousticly, other than that it sounds right. Does that go away when I plug in, or do I have to change my technique or setup in order to minimize it?

What other things should I keep an ear out for?

 

[eclecticsynergy]

That's normal; it's the strings hitting higher frets that give it the slap sound.
Sounds quite different plugged in.
Peaks will still be pretty extreme, though.
Compression helps even things out a bit, especially if you're going direct or your amp has lots of headroom.

 

[Demanic]

Unamplified slap bass sounds like crap.

Sent from my SM-A115A using Tapatalk

 

[Mincer]

Yeah, it is pretty clicky. Even amplified, it doesn't sound great unless you use a compressor to tame the peaks.

 

[Clint 55]

It should still sound accurate unplugged tho. All the clicks and pops should be correct rhythmically and sonically for it to translate to amp'd.

 

[alex1fly]

Pops should sound pretty similar to when you play aggressive fingerstyle and the string slaps the fretboard. Slaps sound like this too but a little thinner and "sproinger", to make up a word.

 

[threechordcharlie]

Spank the plank