A couple of questions

[chadfo]

Hi everybody...gotta say love this site.I'm pretty new at home recording and I spend lots of time reading all the wonderfull information posted here but I have a couple of questions.First I would like to know if there is any difference in the sound quality of the m-audio mobile pre compared to the fast track pro.I originally went to purchase the fast track pro but ended up getting the mobile pre simply because they were out of stock on the fast track pro's and would not have any until about 3 weeks time.So I purchased the mobile pre knowing that I can simply change it for the fast track pro when they come in.Would this be the wise thing to do?Also I've noticed that when I record my bass(Fender J-bass into fender amp....D.I'd) I'm getting one note louder than the other....you know BOOM..boom....BOOM...boom.I've read a fair bit about the compressor and limiter but can't seem to get this fixed.I'm recording country music and bass is fairly important in some of those slow classic country songs.Any help,tips or advice sure would be appreciated.Thanks for your time.

 

[Paulie Jay]

I'm getting one note louder than the other....you know BOOM..boom....BOOM...boom.I've read a fair bit about the compressor and limiter but can't seem to get this fixed.

Is it one specific note, or notes that relate to one specific string? It might be a case of the string height needing to be adjusted because that string is closer to the pickup than the others?

 

[Kingofpain678]

Some guitars resonate at certain frequencies more than other frequencies. There are alot of factors that go into resonance of a guitar but that's a whole can of worms I'd rather not open.

Best course of action would be careful post tracking EQ.

 

[gehauser]

I've noticed that when I record my bass(Fender J-bass into fender amp....D.I'd) I'm getting one note louder than the other....you know BOOM..boom....BOOM...boom.I've read a fair bit about the compressor and limiter but can't seem to get this fixed..

Are you hearing the BOOM on playback thru your monitors or thru your headphones, or both? Since you were DI'd, if you hear it in your monitors but NOT in your headphones, that could indicate a room problem at that frequency. If so, you may need to treat the room (bass traps), or at least move to a different listening position in the room.

 

[Chili]

First I would like to know if there is any difference in the sound quality of the m-audio mobile pre compared to the fast track pro.

I don't have any experience with either, but just looking at the specs on the M-Audio website I see the Mobile pre only does 16 bit/ 48khz. That would be enough to not buy it right there. The Pro is a 24 bit unit.

Also I've noticed that when I record my bass(Fender J-bass into fender amp....D.I'd) I'm getting one note louder than the other....you know BOOM..boom....BOOM...boom.I've read a fair bit about the compressor and limiter but can't seem to get this fixed.I'm recording country music and bass is fairly important in some of those slow classic country songs.Any help,tips or advice sure would be appreciated.Thanks for your time.

I get the same thing, but I'm a novice bass player. I am working on technique and trying to even out my playing. I think part of it is learning a particular guitar and which notes are louder than others on it. But in the meantime, I use a limiter plug-in on the bass and it helps a lot.

Welcome to the site.

 

[Paulie Jay]

Oh, something else I just thought of regarding the bass. Is this just happening as you are recording, or does it happen on playback?

If it is happening only as you are recording: A few nights ago I was recording some bass using headphones and I was getting some inconsistent response from the bass. It turns out that due to the way I was moving while playing my bass, there were times when the bass was touching the arm of the chair. This caused the chair to resonate and amplify the bass in my head on certain notes.

 

[rayc]

Inconsistent pressure when playing is the most common reason - the tendency to hit harder etc. Then there're the tendencies of the instrument - like wolf tones - but many, many people despair at recording an even bass track without a well rehearsed, steady player on the bass.
Also try swapping basses & see if the problem persists.
The issue may also be differing string height or age as well as pickup height.
#1 most popular coping technique is compression going in. This won't necessarily resolve the issue.
I'm not a fan of this preferring to compress in the box if I have to.
#2 most popular coping technique is compression in the box.
#3 most popular coping technique is to automate the faders so the vol. is automatically reduced for that note - time consuming but very effective & the 2nd best solution
&
#4 most & therefor least popular but most effective coping technique is rehearsal, parctise and even pressure when tracking.
Me, I try to play evenly, add a little compression in the box & then autoamte the dafers to address anything that needs it.

 

[Seidy]

well, if this "boom, BOOM" thing is happening on a certain note, then this video may be helpful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evJo5_qt6mY