I need a good, inexpensive bass mic...

[fat jonny]

I am looking for a decent bass mic (for miking a bass guitar cabinet) that will give a little better bass response than an SM-57 (which I am currently using). The 57 is good, but I need a fuller, deeper sound. I can only spend about $150 at the most. Thanks!

 

[KingNothing]

I need a good, inexpensive, finely aged scotch.

 

[Sonixx]

consider a SansAmp Bass DI. this box is really good for both recording and live.

with the Bass Di you'll get that Deep Bass that you'll really have to work hard for when using a mic. unless you have a really big room that's not modal, you're going to have trouble getting the sound you have in your head or have heard elsewhere. i don't think a mic in the $150 range is going to play the role you hope for. but the Bass DI will. the Bass DI is a really good box for bass, live or studio.

-kp-

 

[James HE]

Check out the At pro 25. It's a kick drum mic, but would be well suited for mic a bass cabinet. only about $120.
You aren't the only one who actually mic's bass cabinets. I alway use a mic and a line signal, I like to have the best of both worlds. I either use my NT-1 to mic the cabinet (with good clean results) or a 57 (when I want more midrange and grit) or a Shure Beta-52 which I have only temporarily- nice and warm, really good bottom end on this ancient 18' Acoustic cab. the B-52 goes for about $180, just a bit out of your price range. I suggest the Pro 25 because I am planning on getting one soon.

-jhe

 

[ddbass]

I've seen several AKG D112's lately go for under $200 (160-180) on eBay. I know that's a tad out of your range, but it's a pro mic. This is used by many for kick bass and for bass cabs. It takes a lot of volume without distorting. I have also used it for miking my upright acoustic bass in the studio with nice results.

 

[yeahboye]

I need a good, inexpensive, finely aged scotch.

Snob.

hehe.

 

[Bassman Brad]

The Audio-Technica ATM-25

You need the Audio-Technica ATM-25. $149.95 at American Musical Supply. A VERY solid mic for bass drum and bass guitar cabinets. More neutral in tonal color than the other standard bass instruments mic, the AKG D112. I personally prefer the ATM-25 to the D112, due to the fact that it imposes a less dramatic EQ curve on the signal.

By the way, the ATM-25 is also a much better mic than the similarly shaped Pro-25, which was mentioned earlier.

Brad

 

[jeff5xo]

I second the Sans amp. Unless you're very experienced at recording bass amps, you're going to have a tough time getting a sound that doesn't have alot of low end "clutter"

 

[jayridge]

I find the freq response of the 57 helps me fit the bass in with the kick. I'm probably odd man out on this one, but the bass amp is really the only thing I really dig the 57 on.

I suggest you spend the $150 on sex or drugs... the rock is covered.

Jay

 

[rory]

I have a Blue KickBall and really like it. I use it as a compliment to a D.I. I think its pretty cheap, around $120 or so.
Rory

 

[Mark7]

I like my ATM25. It makes my bass sound good even through my guitar amp

 

[aspirin]

It has to be single malt and Highland for me.
I tried the Isley stuff a few times, but it always needed some serious EQ in the form of club soda. I felt the Lowland variety to be too dark and no dynamic range at all. Highland gave me that warm analogue feeling and I stick with it.

 

[jake-owa]

I have a Blue KickBall and really like it. I use it as a compliment to a D.I. I think its pretty cheap, around $120 or so.
Rory

Got mine for $99 at GC and yeah, it's not bad on bass. The three way bass rolloff helps get what you want and leave the excess behind.

Plus it makes a great second kick mic for outside the hole.

But my fave is the MD421 on a bass cab.

 

[notCardio]

On a similar topic

does it matter what size speakers/cabinet that you're micing in terms of mic selection? Would you use the same mic on an 18" that you use on a 10"? And would your mic selection change based on the style of music, or would you use the same mic for metal as you would for fretless jazz?

 

[LemonTree]

I second the ATM 25, not the PRO! beware there. Also have you tried splitting the signal with a DI? Contryman type 85 fet box is what I use and get great results blending with the mic signal (EV RE20)

 

[mixsit]

does it matter what size speakers/cabinet that you're micing in terms of mic selection? Would you use the same mic on an 18" that you use on a 10"? And would your mic selection change based on the style of music, or would you use the same mic for metal as you would for fretless jazz?

Just as a speaker would tilt the tone one way or the other, so would the mic, ...and position. RE20, EV635 are in the flatter' camp, ATM25 has some scoop and proximity boost, others have even more scoop...if that helps.
Wayne

 

[Scooter B]

If you or someone you know subscribes to TapeOp they have a question on recording bass guitar with a good 15 or 20 responses that all contridict and mention various mics.

There seem to be three camps
1. DI only or DI with micing the strings
2. Recording a cab only
3. Using both with a few miliseconds delay on the DI to adjust the phase to more coherent but I'm not sure if it really ever gets everything 100% in phase this way.

So far I have only gone DI cuz I don't have a good bass mic and I play and engineer my own stuff so optimizing mic placement is hard unless I reamp.

 

[JazzMasterWil]

If you do decide to try a d.i. I'd recomend the new hartke pedal they have. I just snatched one up at samash for less than 100 bucks and I really like it.

I can use a 9 volt battery, an adapter, OR PHANTOM POWER (which is very nice).