Acoustic bass recording techniques

[TheOldMan]

Literally, for the last 10 years I've experimented with getting a "tight" clean sound when recording a bass fiddle. I've tried various condensor mics, compressors, and gut or steel strings with only little success. I just seem to get a somewhat muddy sound -- no matter what I do. I'd be grateful for any suggestions. For the record I play a 1953 Kay and it is a good instrument. Also I'm pleased with my recordings of vocals, acoustic guitars, dobro, mandolin, banjo and fiddle. Just the bass is giving and has given me problems. I've been using a c1000s, Rode NT1, or 4033 on it -- usually fairly close to the sound post F hole.
Thanks!

 

[Wil Davis]

I use a Neumann KM184 suspended between the legs of the bridge using a couple of large rubber-bands, pointing towards the fingerboard. It works for me, but other people might have other solutions, which I'm sure will also work.

Hope this helps -

- Wil

 

[toyL]

Wil Davis is absolutely correct--fork over a few grand for a large-diaphram condenser and you'll get outstanding results...of course, not everyone has that kind of cash...I can let you in on a little secret--it's a "quartz" pick-up...it won't color the sound at all and all you have to do is "clip it on" to whatever "sweet-spot" on the instrument that you can find...it works on literally any musical instrument, and it'll only cost ya maybe a hundred bucks or so...if you're intersted in getting in touch with the "one person" who builds these little gems let me know here...btw, he's an "OldMan" too--been building stringed-instruments for over 50 yrs...for the past 30 yrs I've let no one but him touch my guitars.

 

[DeadPoet]

For live I use my (badly self-installed) underwood piezo pickup and if there's a P.A. I'll add a AKG C-419 (SD) clip-on with satisfying results.

As far as recording... About every studio I go to does it different.
I've had excellent results in a small room (and in bigger ones too) with an U-87 (LD) put up in front.
another way to do it is what Wil Davis says: put a SD with rubberbands or foam between the legs of the bridge. I've seen this being done with a B&K (dpa) 400?. Very jazz, very old sound (the way they did it in the early days)

Last time was different (see image): A bit a strange picture, but you can see a BBC ribbon mic up front at the bridge and an AKG C-451 somewhat higher, pointed at the fingers. Excellent result.

(this is a $1,000 plywood bass, but good sounding)

Pre, channel strip and comp add to quality of sound too.

Be sure to roll of some of the deep lows, they muddyfiy the signal easily


Herwig

 

[wjgypsy]

My dad, who owns and operates a bluegrass music park (clem's shoal creek music park) mics tons of bass fiddles each year. (for stage, but alot of bluegrass musicians use stage setups in the studio,) the #1 thing he does is this. he raps up a sm57 in a foam pad and lays it right under the bridge at the bottom. the other thing you could try is getting a bass mic. the mics you have are good, but to capture a low end sound, you need a low end mic like the shure beta 52 or akg d112. try not to place the mic to close to the sound hole or it might boom. and when compressing, try not to make it sound "unnatural" (meaning don't use to much compression.)

you'll do fine. just do your best......


ZEKE