Bass in your face

[ecktronic]

Im having a little trouble trying to mix the bass guitar into my mixes. I cant seem to get enough bass without it overpowering and rumbling.
I am compressing the bass quite a bit with decent attack/release times and i eqd it with a lo cut around 70Hz roughly and boosted quite a bit around 5k for definition of notes but i just cant come to terms with controling the lo end.
The guitars also have a lo cut them at a higher frequency thatn the bass cut.
Any guesses to what im doing wrong here?

I mean how do Incubus do it with their bass and totally tight lo end?

 

[Halion]

Tell us something about your chain and gear. What bass, what gauge strings, DI or mic or both?

Add some low bass, but not the subs. Around 100-200 hz. If there's rumble and mud in the subs you probably tracked something wrong (bad EQ on your bass/amp?). I'd also compress quite a bit, but with a good finger-style, you shouldn't need it that much.

Also, I found out that micing the cab helps alot in the mic, even if the sound of the DI alone sounds pretty good.

 

[ecktronic]

I miced and DId the bass in some songs but mostly just used the DI track. The bass players dynamics were a bit much sometimes so i used a heavy compression of about ratio 4:1 attack 20 and release 60. Is that ok settings roughly?
I didnt compress the bass on the way in and maybe i should have, but that wouldnt solve my problem but just give me a more consistent track to start with.
I am using the R plugins with Protools and MAckie HR824s for monitoring. I am mastering on headphones though in Wavelab with various plugins.
I was using a Peavey bass amp around 15inch speaker maybe. (not the best of amps!!)
I did however play about with the amp EQ before tracking. I made sure there was a good deal of clarity in the high end and that the lo end wasnt farting or rumbling!
I will try the boost at 100-200Hz.
Cheers Halion.