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How Would You Record Bass?
- Thread starter MycooLeeyun
- Start date
I'd try multiple options and use the one that creates a sound that works best with the track.
i'd be tracking direct. YMMV. good luck on your session! 
Direct from bass and mic the bass cabinet on a different channels. If you have a 57 and TLM 102, you might record both of them. This gives you maximum options.You can always remic the recording from the direct signal. Be careful to check phase alignment between direct and mic'd sources. Plugins like InPhase by Waves are very helpful to correct any phase issues. Hope this helps. Post you track so we can hear what ended up using.
Thanks for all your replies. But what I’m really asking is how would you run the chain? Would you just use the RNDI for direct? Or would you run it into the preamp or wa76 as well?
Or would you go DI with the RNDI and then mic the amp with the Neumann and run that through the daking preamp and the wa76?
Depends on the instrument and the tone you want.
I prefer running active basses through passive DI boxes and passive basses through active ones.
You may prefer something different.
Also depends on whether you're wanting to get as close to your final tone as possible with outboard gear or if you're going to use plugins in the mixing stage to make it sit properly in the mix.
I’m usually recording with a passive G&l jb2. I want to get as close to the final tone as possible but totally willing to use plugins to get me there. I normally end up using a couple of plugins.
DI.
Real studio? In over 30 years there was only one session where I've played through a miked amp, but there was also a DI sent to a separate track.
Recording at home? Definitely no amp because I don't have a good sounding room to put it in.
Real studio? In over 30 years there was only one session where I've played through a miked amp, but there was also a DI sent to a separate track.
Recording at home? Definitely no amp because I don't have a good sounding room to put it in.
Those are some great options. As others have said, you really can’t go wrong with a straight pre-eq di signal. That always sounds right imo.
But experimenting is fun. If it was me, and I had time, I would do an a/b/c test of the DI’s, making sure to leave eq out of them. Then see if one sounded noticeably better. My guess is it wouldn’t make too much difference.
If that was the case, i would try micing up whatever amp sounded best in the room, and using its pre eq di direct to the interface.
I’d start mic futzing with the 57 up on the grill, off the edge of the cone, slight angle inward (guitar amp “vanilla” mic position) straight into the interface. And see how that sounds mixed with the di.
Then I’d cork that 102 into the daking into the limiting amp and futz with that til I got a good room sound.
Yhen futz with the two mics until it all sounded nice.
Then, if history was any indicator, I’d probably end up not using the mic’d tracks and end up just using the di. Ha!
Have fun
Every studio session ever:
Me: should I bring an amp?
Them: no. We’ve got an svt, bassman, blah blah blah on into eternity.
(Later, at the studio)
Me: (looking at wall of amps) which one?
Them: we always go direct for bass.
And.... scene.
Me: should I bring an amp?
Them: no. We’ve got an svt, bassman, blah blah blah on into eternity.
(Later, at the studio)
Me: (looking at wall of amps) which one?
Them: we always go direct for bass.
And.... scene.
That made me chortle.
For the majority of recordings I’ve done a DI from amp, SM57 on a 10”, and whatever the kick drum mic is on the port of my 2x10. Last proper recording the SM57 was out of phase with the other 2 so we ditched that feed. My last demo was a DI from amp as I had to record in my living room. Worked out really nice.
Bass -> Daking (HPF ~75hz or to taste) -> WA76 (ratio 4:1)
(Disclaimer that I've never used those exact brands/models, but I've used similar gear with great results.)
(Disclaimer that I've never used those exact brands/models, but I've used similar gear with great results.)
AngelCrusher
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Easy, I'd go bass into the DI into the pre into the 1176 into the DAW.
I know this chain well since I do the same thing.
If it helps, my chain is Bass - Noble DI/preamp - Neve Pre- 1176.
1176 is set with release and attack on the dot between 5 and 7 , and I dial my input to take 1-2 db off.
Unless there's a specific amp sound you're trying to achieve with the ShuttleMax 9.2 that you can't get with a plugin, I'd go bass>RNDI>Daking>WA76. Cleaner the path, the better.
Okay great! I’m getting a lot of suggestions that are reinforcing my instinct.
I’m curious as to why some people would just use the RNDI and also some people would skip the RNDI and go right into the daking pre to the 76.
I’m curious as to why some people would just use the RNDI and also some people would skip the RNDI and go right into the daking pre to the 76.
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I record at home. I go straight from the bass into the cable and into the interface. Once I have the track recorded, I duplicate it twice.
- This track stays clean and is more for reference.
- This track has all lows and low mids rolled off then goes through some plug-ins (amp sims, compressor, EQ) to get an aggressive tone (which of course varies depending on the song).
- This track has all highs and high mids rolled off then goes through some plug-ins to get a tight, distinct bottom end.
At home I currently go: bass into my DI, and from there the mic out goes straight into the DAW interface and the amp out goes into a Southampton Ictineo preamp and from there into a separate channel on the Interface.
I'm fortunate to own an Ampeg B-15N which I may one day put a mic in front of if I ever have a good enough room to record in - or if I break down and build an amp isolation cab. But for now direct (straight + preamped) is all I do at home.
I'm fortunate to own an Ampeg B-15N which I may one day put a mic in front of if I ever have a good enough room to record in - or if I break down and build an amp isolation cab. But for now direct (straight + preamped) is all I do at home.
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