i'm a beginner, I want to record bass, do i start with a DI or an Amp, or maybe buying both.

Jorgealb91

Jorgealb91

May 5, 2018
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#1
I'm interested in buying a bass, probably a Precision or a Hofner Ignition for recording it analog to Ableton in order to produce Psychedelic Rock, my question is, should i record it by mic'ing the amp or using a DI?, I want to know because i don't want to spend a lot of money on buying both, amp options would be Ampeg BA210 or Rumble 500, DI would be Radial J48, i didn't like the other DIs.
 
#5
Jorgealb91 said:
I'm interested in buying a bass, probably a Precision or a Hofner Ignition for recording it analog to Ableton in order to produce Psychedelic Rock, my question is, should i record it by mic'ing the amp or using a DI?, I want to know because i don't want to spend a lot of money on buying both, amp options would be Ampeg BA210 or Rumble 500, DI would be Radial J48, i didn't like the other DIs.
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As an amateur bass player, I record the bass plugged in directly into Presonus Audiobox USB (the cheapest solution) and don't complain about it. I've purchased a DI but...
When I start applying all the possible "gadgets", effects from Studio One Pro or Sonar Pro, I cannot hear the difference between recording WITH a DI and WITHOUT DI (directly plugged into Audiobox).
But I'm a "cheapskate" musician with "bad ears".
 
#6
As a beginner, you should try both, and experiment, and learn in that process how to position mics and amps in your recording environment. And know how they affect the sound you hear. Then learn how to mix mic recordings and DI recording together as well as add fx to either track for more dynamic sound.
 
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#7
For recording bass (and NOT playing live/rehearsals/gigs etc), DI is quick and easy. The Radial may sound good, but if you don't already own it, and you DO already have an interface, just plug into the interface and use it as your DI. You can "sculpt" you sound with EQ "in the box." You likely won't hear the differences between the various methods (Radial, interface, or mic'ed amp) - at least at first.
 
#9
The only time people choose to mic an amp, is when the sound from that amp has a unique or personal characteristic. Since you don’t even have one yet, this is not your case.

If you had spent 20 years and thousands of dollars trying to find a Holy Grail of sound, then, by all means, mic that special beast.
 
#10
Hindsight always being 20/20, if I was just starting out, I'd forego getting an amp, and just get myself an interface, a DI box with some sort of preamp built into like Ampeg, Mesa Subway, etc, for tone sculpting, and a pair of monitors. Then while I was learning the ins and outs of how to make quality recordings, would save for an amp.
 
#11
I did some recording last night at a friend's place using GarageBand and a Scarlett solo interface (cheap stuff). The amp models in the software were really good! The interface sounded a lot better than I expected.
Micing an amp for home studio recording seems silly when the technology has gotten this good.
 
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#12
I have a question. I used to use a Creative Audio Audigy2 zs platinum for my DAW. I say used to because my PC crashed and I replaced the motherboard and CPU. The new mobo is PCIe and the Creative soundcard doesn't fit the slot. I purchased the Audigy because I could plug my bass and drum machine into the controller. I'd like to buy something similar but all the DAW's I've seen so far lack 1/4" inputs. Since Creative split from E-MU I've found the E-MU Apollo stuff exorbitant in price. Does anyone know of a DAW that is similar with a dedicated soundcard and a control unit that's PCIe?
Thanks guys:cool:
 
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