Is it better to record bass with or w/o compression?

  • Thread starter Thread starter frank_1
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To use compression before or after?

  • I mostly use compression as I'm recording bass

    Votes: 19 76.0%

  • I mostly use compression after I record bass guitar

    Votes: 6 24.0%
  • Total voters
    25
frank_1

frank_1

New member
Is it better to record bass through a compressor to record, or to record bass then use compression afterwards?
 
If the person can play and keep his dynamics together None..Sometimes{not very often} I put one in line to alter the tone.. but for the most part none.YMMV


Don
 
I always use at least a little compression...thats why my bass sounds so good. try it.
 
if the bass player is good enough, id track without compression....with that said, i suck at bass so i always record with it......
 
I track with compression 90% of the time..... it isn't ALWAYS needed, but I don't think it has all about to do with the bass player either. The bass strings is by nature pretty uneven in volume, so you're likely to need a compressor if the bass part uses all strings instead of just the E and A-string.
 
My 2 cents... I seem to have a hard time with maintaining clarity of the bass through the mix. My thoughts are to use as little compression as possible and very little effects which may smear the definition.

Having the pick-up height properly adjusted will help to level out the the string volumes. I always check this before tracking.
 
Henri Devill said:
If the person can play and keep his dynamics together None..Sometimes{not very often} I put one in line to alter the tone.. but for the most part none.YMMV


Don
Click to expand...

I forgot.. been along time since I've had to deal with...If they are playin' a lil' funk..Thumbin' and pluckin' and slappin'..then yes..I crush away..LOL


Don
 
It kind of depends on what your signal chain is. I like to have a DI that is nothing but the bass. That way, I can reamp later without weird compression artifacts later on.
 
I have been playing the bass for far too long and whenever I have been in the sudio I have always played through a compressor. Now I have started recording myself i still use one. I did try for a while without one but to be honest it just sounds so much better with it. I'd consider my technique to be pretty good and yet compression always seems to improve the track.
 
reamp?

Darwin,

I just checked into this forum for the first time. What do you mean by reamp?

Thanks, RD
 
re-amping

Re-amping is a technique used where a signal on tape (say a bass track) is routed out board to an amplifier or P.A system and re-recorded with microphones in a room.

This technique is a great trick for those of us who use drum machines because on tape the direct outs of the drum machine sound dry and thin (in most cases that is) but driving the signal through say a couple of 4X12 cabs or P.A components with a couple of good quality room mics makes it sound like.....its actually being played in a room (Which at this point it actually is).
works with an entire mix as well.....
 
I say squash it a little on the way in . . .

and crush the living crap out of it later on. :D
 
Let's not forget that it sometimes depends on the sound the particular bass player is going for. Some bass players will ask you to get rid of the compression, because they hear it adversely affecting their sound. You should accomodate them...
 
There's no "both" option. If you want to get that huge modern round bass sound, it takes a lot of compression, both on the way in, and during the mix. This differs depending on the style you're working in, but for most of the rock/alt type stuff I do, it's a compression feast on bass.
 
I always track bass with compression and add more "as needed" to the recorded track during mixdown.
 
Disco_Dave said:
I have been playing the bass for far too long and whenever I have been in the sudio I have always played through a compressor. Now I have started recording myself i still use one. I did try for a while without one but to be honest it just sounds so much better with it. I'd consider my technique to be pretty good and yet compression always seems to improve the track.
Click to expand...
I suck, but the compressor makes me suck less.

If you can't sound really good... it helps not to sound really bad. :)
 
A little 2:1 or 3:1 goin in can lend itself to better dynamics at mix..it also depends on the player and technique.

Some fellas just cant hit two notes in a row at the same volume so its crush time...others can.


it also helps to have a bitchin bass thats sounds great.
this can be accomplished by procuring an old fender p or j...early 60's will work...most basses built since then are poor copys of Leo's work anyway................


Yeah yeah i know....you've got one thats just the bomb....
 
I like to use just enough compression that it feels like a seat belt that is latched but not been tightend. Sort of a "just in case" thing. As critical as the recording mediums are nowadays one has to either have a generous slice of finesse or concentration on method to maintain a consistent level during the tracking so as not to create any unnecessary burdens on the engineer, if a compressor is not used. Using a compressor allows for more relaxed playing and more focus on playing, instead of on recording.
JMHO
 
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