Bass EQ

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PiRequiem

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my friend and I recorded a bass track a while ago and it sounds terrible. we did a direct in just like the rest of the album, but for some reason it sounds bad. I'm having a hard time getting it "punchier".

the track is on a song that is just acoustics, drums and vox, and the bass is ending up sounding like weird acoustic overtones.
think i'll have to re-dub it?

thanks
 
PiRequiem said:

think i'll have to re-dub it?

thanks
Click to expand...

Do that......

A lifeless bass track is almost impossible to fix in the mix, you got to get it on "tape" as good as possible.
 
yeah, that's what i figured.

the reason that i'm a bit "iffy" about re-dubbing it is that i am not a bass player, i play guitar, so simple bass lines are no problem. i only played it once or twicea few months ago. plus it's kind of tricky and the bass that we have access to is a piece of junk. maybe we'll just have to get a hold of different bass.

thanks for convincing me to get off my butt and just redo it.
 
Use compression or limiting. It can some times help for a punchy sound. If you have the gear for it, try micing your bass cab with a mic like a d112 or a shure beta 52. When you record your bass direct are you running it through a direct box?

Zeke
"on my way to 1k!"
 
we've already tried all sorts of compression and limiting. as far as direct boxes, does a pro co rat pedal count? yeah, that's a bit embarassing.

the pick ups are going bad on the bass that i used, so were contacting some guys to see if we can borrow a halfway decent one.

the ball's rollin'.
 
Direct bass sounds like crapola to me. I always mic a cabinet..sounds like air rather than muffy fluff.
 
Try plucking the strings closer to the bridge than the neck. Also, try using the palm of your plucking hand or some padding under the strings at the bridge to attenuate the decay (stops the notes bleeding into each other). New strings are good but can often have a harsh metallic tone, a punchy tone tends to be more rounded. Play them in for a bit before hitting tape/bits (that is, if you don't want that metallic sound).

Hey Jake. What's your opinion of fluffy muffs?
 
Bass Master "K" said:
Use new strings too...makes a world of difference.
Click to expand...

Use 'flat wound' strings... makes an incredible world of difference!!!
 
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