Bass: to Mic or run Direct?

  • Thread starter Thread starter willthethrill
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willthethrill

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My bassist has a Fender Standard P with a SWR 100 watt amp. It has a 1/4" direct out. Should I mic (and if so, how?) or just run direct? We play rock typically with acoustic rhythm and electric leads if that helps. Thanks.
 
If you have the channels do both.
Most of the time I go DI with bass.
 
Another vote for both if you've got the tracks to spare.

Just blend em to taste... :D
 
It doesn't hurt to try every angle at your disposal, find the one that works, and go with it...

Mic'ing techniques are wide and varied, I'm not one to give hardcore advice on the subject, but there is a FAQ at the top of the Microphone forum that was heavily written into by those who would know and will likely answer virtually any question you might have on mic'ing speaks...

Good luck to ya...

Eric
 
If you have a room to record in that can handle amplified bass, going both ways is good. If you have a bass-heavy, tubby sounding room (which any smaller untreated room will be) you may have problems with micing the amp. In that case DI is far superior.

The best route is to try it. What do you have to lose?
 
I'll 3rd trying both at the same time. Mic it AND run a direct line. If you like one better than the other, you don't have to re-track. You might find that the best sound is a blend. Just keep your options open.
 
I know some guys also put a mic up to the strings to capture some extra attack and blend that in too. I've never tried it but it sounds cool.
 
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