Bass recording?

[presto5]

Do I need a bass amp to make a decent bass track or can I get a good one Going str8 in to my computer using Adobe audition 3?

 

[Kingofpain678]

Do I need a bass amp to make a decent bass track or can I get a good one Going str8 in to my computer using Adobe audition 3?

lots uv ppl go str8 in2 the puter to record bass. jst buy a direct bocks

 

[Richard Monroe]

No and No. Although you *can* mic up a bass amp, or even pull a direct line off of a bass amp with a line out, bass is more commonly recorded by DI (direct injection), which means no amp, at least not one with speakers. That's the first part. The second part is- you can't plug *anything* directly into a computer except one of those $2 mics that's meant for a podcast, or something that has USB output. The problem is that the soundcard in a computer isn't meant for recording at all. It's meant to make beeps and sound effects for games. Aside from that, the output of a bass guitar is a high-z instrument output, not a line level output, which is why you can't just plug your bass into the back of a boombox.

The good news is, there are lots of cheap solutions. The standard one is to buy an audio interface with USB output, which will change the output of the bass into a digital signal, bypassing your cruddy sound card altogether. In effect, the interface becomes the soundcard. Many of them come with recording software also. Either the interface or the software are likely to have some effects, the most common ones being used with bass are EQ (equalization) and compression. A decent interface will set you back about $100-$200 new, less if you can find a good one used. The interface will also give you a headphone jack with a separate volume control, so you can hear what you are playing.

If you travel a lot, and you want something to use with a laptop on the go, this works:

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=32814&Category=Audio_Interfaces

This one's on the cheaper side of the equation:

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=27765&Category=Audio_Interfaces

And this one is a little more expensive but more versatile:

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=60669&Category=Audio_Interfaces

Here's a cheapie that's specialized for guitar and bass with a lot of effects:

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=60670&Category=Audio_Interfaces

Best of luck-Richie

 

[presto5]

Thanx!!

No and No. Although you *can* mic up a bass amp, or even pull a direct line off of a bass amp with a line out, bass is more commonly recorded by DI (direct injection), which means no amp, at least not one with speakers. That's the first part. The second part is- you can't plug *anything* directly into a computer except one of those $2 mics that's meant for a podcast, or something that has USB output. The problem is that the soundcard in a computer isn't meant for recording at all. It's meant to make beeps and sound effects for games. Aside from that, the output of a bass guitar is a high-z instrument output, not a line level output, which is why you can't just plug your bass into the back of a boombox.

The good news is, there are lots of cheap solutions. The standard one is to buy an audio interface with USB output, which will change the output of the bass into a digital signal, bypassing your cruddy sound card altogether. In effect, the interface becomes the soundcard. Many of them come with recording software also. Either the interface or the software are likely to have some effects, the most common ones being used with bass are EQ (equalization) and compression. A decent interface will set you back about $100-$200 new, less if you can find a good one used. The interface will also give you a headphone jack with a separate volume control, so you can hear what you are playing.

If you travel a lot, and you want something to use with a laptop on the go, this works:

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=32814&Category=Audio_Interfaces

This one's on the cheaper side of the equation:

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=27765&Category=Audio_Interfaces

And this one is a little more expensive but more versatile:

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=60669&Category=Audio_Interfaces

Here's a cheapie that's specialized for guitar and bass with a lot of effects:

http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=60670&Category=Audio_Interfaces

Best of luck-Richie

You guys all rule man!! This site ROCKS!