How Low can you go??????

[sausy1981]

Hi guys, So last night I decide to record bass for my latest project, I normally don't use amps (I use the models in my br800 for electric guitar and bass) as I record in my spare room and we have a 1 yr old baby, Thankfully I'm building my own space at the moment but thats a whole other thread... anyway I recently got my hands on an old trace elliot 30w bass amp its a 1x8 combo. My mate still had it in his house from years ago when we were in a band together and we haven't heard from the guy who owns it in about 4 yrs so I thought I'd try it out. So last night I plugged in, set up my old studio projects b1 condenser microphone (I don't have a dynamic mic and the studio projects is an old mic I never use anymore, so I wasn't afraid of damaging it for this experiment), I put it about 3 inches from the grill and halfway between the centre of the speaker and the side I also flipped the pad switch to -10 db, I plugged into my interface which is a roland quad capture and then set my compressor to how I liked it. I didn't have the amp at a loud volume it was pretty low, I'd say it was roughly turned up a 1/4 of it's full volume probably less. For example I was 2ft away from the amp and it didn't effect me while I had my headphones on and was recording.. I really liked the sound I got, much more power and ooomph if ya know what I mean... My question is am I missing out by recording from the amp at such a low level? ( would it sound better cranked up? ) How low in volume can you go when recording from an amp?
As always Thanks guys...

 

[BrentDomann]

Tone is important regardless of volume. As long as you aren't overloading anything, you're not adding any issues except possibly noise (noise floor and all). People crank amps for tone, not volume, when recording. Think about recording a classical guitar. There is a lot of dynamic content there that is often very quiet. If it works for you then go for it!

 

[Farview]

If you are getting a sound you like, that is all that's important. You could try cranking it up, but with that little wattage, it will probably just distort.

 

[grimtraveller]

I really liked the sound I got, much more power and ooomph if ya know what I mean... My question is am I missing out by recording from the amp at such a low level? ( would it sound better cranked up? ) How low in volume can you go when recording from an amp?

The classic question that contains it's own reply.

My question is am I missing out by recording from the amp at such a low level?

I don't know. Are you ? You'll only ever find out if you try it. No one can answer the question for you, really.

Would it sound better cranked up ?

I don't know. Would it ? You'll only ever find out if you try it. No one can answer the question for you, really.

How low in volume can you go when recording from an amp?

How bright can a TV get before the picure ceases to be good to the person watching it if you're that person ? I don't know. You'll only ever find out if you try it. No one can answer the question for you, really.

 

[warartistrecord]

If you are getting a sound you like, that is all that's important. You could try cranking it up, but with that little wattage, it will probably just distort.

True

Originally Posted by sausy1981
I really liked the sound I got, much more power and ooomph if ya know what I mean... My question is am I missing out by recording from the amp at such a low level? ( would it sound better cranked up? ) How low in volume can you go when recording from an amp?
The classic question that contains it's own reply.
Originally Posted by sausy1981
My question is am I missing out by recording from the amp at such a low level?
I don't know. Are you ? You'll only ever find out if you try it. No one can answer the question for you, really.
Originally Posted by sausy1981
Would it sound better cranked up ?
I don't know. Would it ? You'll only ever find out if you try it. No one can answer the question for you, really.
Originally Posted by sausy1981
How low in volume can you go when recording from an amp?
How bright can a TV get before the picure ceases to be good to the person watching it if you're that person ? I don't know. You'll only ever find out if you try it. No one can answer the question for you, really.

try to crank the amp up when you have the chance and see what it sounds like. If it adds something to the character of the sound than you've got it. If not, you've always got your previous take

 

[Greg_L]

With a little amp and speaker like that it probably doesn't matter. Lower volume is probably better. But as mentioned already, sometimes louder is better to get certain characteristics of the equipment to come to life. For example, many tube amps don't reach their real potential until they're getting up in volume and getting the power tube section involved. Tube amps can often sound fizzy and thin at low volumes if only the preamp section is getting the work done. Many speakers can sound stiff and thin until you're hitting them with enough power to really get them moving some air.