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

  • Thread starter Thread starter frank_1
  • Start date Start date

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
Depends on the player's dynamics and control of the instrument...

Peace...

PC
 
compression

The bass and its electronics/mics are also good points to consider. I've two basses: Squier P-Bass and Ibanez EDB-500 w/active electronics, and I must say that the Squier needs to be compressed each and every time I record with it. The sound is SO UNEVEN (doesn't matter how gentle I try to play) and lacks of that good punchiness ...Unlike my second bass(ibanez), which has passive mics and active electronics. This one doesn't need any "outboard compression", because sound is even always. (Maybe it has some sort of compression in itself...)
I've been using Tech's Comptortion w/ p-bass, mostly because it's so easy to use. This stompbox was designed for guitar but it works well w/ basses too...And what is great about it, is that it has also distortion knob, and that adds the BALLS to your sound. Check it out!
 
i almost never record anything with compression.

i only compress in the mix.

i just feel like i have enough headroom in recording 24bit that i don't have to worry about trying to keep the recording 'in the red'.

the more even i have learned to play, the less i have to squash the crap out of my bass sound while mixing.
 
Back
Top