Direct recording bass?

[Randall]

Does anyone out there have a clue as to why my bass is popping the instant it is plucked. I don't hear it in my recording if I mic the bass only when I plug strait in DI with nothing inline I hear like this little static pop upon striking a note. I keep hearing that direct is the way to go. Do I need some more equipment as usuall? If so what might it be?
Thanks Randall

 

[Track Rat]

My bet is it's your playing style. The way you're plucking generates the transient. That would explain why you don't hear it when mic-ing the amp, the speaker is acting as a compressor of sorts. Setting up a compressor on the direct in and more importantly, be aware of how you're playing. Try controlling some of your dynamics with how you're playing.

 

[Randall]

When people talk about direct in are they talking about from the amp or the bass? ( The bass is a carvin 6str) Randall

 

[Track Rat]

Usually it means from a preamp, either from the bass head or a stand alone unit like a mic pre or a processor.

 

[Randall]

I got the skinny on it now. Just before I wore out my welcome on the phone at the non local music store. It costs about five hundred bucks and is the bees knees, the cats meow. I should have known, But how could I the only place I have ever played is at church where the old folks complain if you get to loud.

Those folk at the music store must really get tired of all us people who don't know ever thing there is to know about the latest and greatest "ITS HAPPENING DUDE" thing. Yeah, Yeah can I call you back man I'm really totally covered up man. And they never do.

I guess that is how a beautiful woman feels, bothered by the same old one liners they have heard a thousand times.

Randall

 

[Randall]

I found the problem. I had the treble turned all the way up on my bass. It has seperate bass and treble. It gave it a real nasty explosive pop at the front of every note. It worked fine while micing the amp but not for DI. Randall