Micing standup bass

[wbalsam1]

Hi: I have a Sennheiser 441 mic and an acoustic bass. I want to be able to mic the bass thru my Alesis 32 mixing console which is hooked into an ADAT XT-20. I will premix on the Alesis 32, then take the whole works down stairs to my studio and run it through my Tascam M-600 with really sweet EQ's. Then I mix and it all goes to the Masterlink.
Any helpful suggestions on how best to place the mic, etc., will be appreciated. It's totally acoustic Bluegrass. Thanks.

[BlackHawk2029]

i'd first try near the f-hole, and if not, maybe where the neck meets the body. I have no idea how it would be done so all i can tell you is to experiment until you get a sound you like. and take notes while you do it, that way you can reproduce it if you need to.

[wbalsam1]

Originally Posted by BlackHawk2029

i'd first try near the f-hole, and if not, maybe where the neck meets the body. I have no idea how it would be done so all i can tell you is to experiment until you get a sound you like. and take notes while you do it, that way you can reproduce it if you need to.

Thanks. I've done this. I've tried wrapping the mic in foam and tucking it under the bridge and it's alright but not super, you know. I've also tried a small mic stand in front of the bass and it's about the same. The mic is really a good mic, so I know there's got to be a way. Thanks, again.

[Anfontan]

I did some recording with my acoustic band last month-the upright bass was mic'd with a Shure Beta 52 mic-it was a kick drum mic I believe. The mic was aimed at the bass's bridge and sounded really good.

[wbalsam1]

Originally Posted by Anfontan

I did some recording with my acoustic band last month-the upright bass was mic'd with a Shure Beta 52 mic-it was a kick drum mic I believe. The mic was aimed at the bass's bridge and sounded really good.

Thank You for the reply. I think we (the band) have a Shure mic that looks like yours. I'll get it from them and give it a try.

[lpdeluxe]

I have an upcoming live recording gig involving a standup bass. I also have a pending trade deal with the local music store to (possibly) acquire a used Beta 52.

Does anyone have any experience with both the Beta 52 and the AKG D112? There are no standup basses among my crowd, and it'd be nice to have something I could use for both bass and kick drum, and I'd rather have a better mic than a worse one.

[Anfontan]

Originally Posted by lpdeluxe

I have an upcoming live recording gig involving a standup bass. I also have a pending trade deal with the local music store to (possibly) acquire a used Beta 52.

Does anyone have any experience with both the Beta 52 and the AKG D112? There are no standup basses among my crowd, and it'd be nice to have something I could use for both bass and kick drum, and I'd rather have a better mic than a worse one.

The recording was at a professional studio for a video soundtrack. Instruments were mandolin, fiddle, banjo, guitar, upright Bass & hammered dulcimer. The Beta 52 does a really good job recording upright basses-the AKG I am not familiar with though. Condensor mics were used on the fiddle and the hammered dulcimer had the coolest natural sustain I think I've ever heard--almost spooky sounding......!

[wbalsam1]

Originally Posted by Anfontan

The recording was at a professional studio for a video soundtrack. Instruments were mandolin, fiddle, banjo, guitar, upright Bass & hammered dulcimer. The Beta 52 does a really good job recording upright basses-the AKG I am not familiar with though. Condensor mics were used on the fiddle and the hammered dulcimer had the coolest natural sustain I think I've ever heard--almost spooky sounding......!

Thanks, Anfontan. I'll definately give it a try.

[lpdeluxe]

Originally Posted by Anfontan

The recording was at a professional studio for a video soundtrack. Instruments were mandolin, fiddle, banjo, guitar, upright Bass & hammered dulcimer. The Beta 52 does a really good job recording upright basses-the AKG I am not familiar with though. Condenser mics were used on the fiddle and the hammered dulcimer had the coolest natural sustain I think I've ever heard--almost spooky sounding......!

If you like the Beta 52 I'll give it a try. I'm doing a multiple trade of a tube stack and a fretless Jazz for an archtop and the mic. I'm not trying to skin the dealer, but I want to come out with something I can use.

I've done a bit of recording of dulcimer/banjo/fiddle/mandolin and acoustic guitar, and I know I've got the gear to accommodate them.

Thanks for the info.