mandocaster
non compos mentis
While I am waiting for my Sennheiser MD441 to be repaired I thought I might as well fantasize about using it. Anyone use on on an upright bass, or have any prediction of how it might work?
tubedude
New member
That mic works on anything. Might be a tad low gain for an upright, arent those a tad volume challenged? Never had to record one so I dont know. A good preamp is always in order though.
B
Big Kenny
New member
It sounds great but the tube is correct, it takes a lot of gain to get the senn to grab the bass. Got any sdc's in the meantime?
A
AGCurry
New member
Well, the 441 is a great mic. You're talking about recording, right?
However, upright bass is such a big sound source. I would reach for something with a wider pattern to pick up more of the instrument's area.
The gain is no big deal. Just turn it up!
However, upright bass is such a big sound source. I would reach for something with a wider pattern to pick up more of the instrument's area.
The gain is no big deal. Just turn it up!
mandocaster
non compos mentis
In our last project we used a GrooveTubes tube mic a couple of feet away from the bass. Beautiful round low end - but not much on the high end. Next time I want to add a second mic.
A
audioholic
New member
I seem to remember reading something about that mic on upright bass. If I remeber correctly it said to stuff it in the bridge facing up. Maybe use some old dirty socks or something to keep it in there and to not scratch it. I never tried it but it sounded like a good idea. If you do try it let me know how it sounds.
F
freak1c
New member
i just used an re-20 on an upright, with the piezo pickup on the bass too, mmmmm, yummy.
F
freak1c
New member
pointed at the f-hole on the g string side.
pdlstl
New member
I record mostly bluegrass and for that I keep it simple. A 4033 about 18" out from the treble f-hole.
For a completely different approach, when I was visiting out at Harvey's place a couple of weeks ago, he suggested trying the inexpensive little Behringer reference mic (ECM8000) on an upright. Placement should be somewhere between the fretting hand and the plucking hand pointed straight down toward where the strings cross the bridge. He indicated it sounds really fat and round.
I've got one of these mics and am going to give it a try on a session tomorrow. Will let you know how it sounds.
For a completely different approach, when I was visiting out at Harvey's place a couple of weeks ago, he suggested trying the inexpensive little Behringer reference mic (ECM8000) on an upright. Placement should be somewhere between the fretting hand and the plucking hand pointed straight down toward where the strings cross the bridge. He indicated it sounds really fat and round.
I've got one of these mics and am going to give it a try on a session tomorrow. Will let you know how it sounds.
scrubs
Not of sound mind
freak1c said:
that sounds dirty
A
abraf
New member
Hi, my first post,
just stumbled across the place. looking for another list.
I might not be qualified to be here as i make my living of recording, and don't do much of it at home
However, my 2 cents:
My favourite acou-bass mic. are, for the lack of a Neumann U47, a Soundelux E47. I find one mic to be enough for recording bass, mostly, altough sometimes a M/S setup might be nice (two U87's)
I think i have tried out at least 50 different mics on bass trough the years, as i do record lots of jazz. Amongst them;
The MD 441 is a great mic. Coupled with a nice pre, it's a really serious contender for lots of the stuff that one would normally turn to Hi-end LDC's for. Vocals included.
The MD441 is my go-to mic on Acou-bass in those situation where bleed from drums or horns are too extensive to be able to use the E47.
I find that the MD441 does an incredible job "solving" this problem.
Usually use an Tele V76 pre for this, and the 441 excells!
Lesser quality pre-amps is a drawback for the 441, but it still beats out most stuff.
As for placement, the mic goes on the G-string side. But not at the f-hole, there is usually some serious buildup around a few frequencies there, makes the bass very boomy, altough isolation is at its best.
I usually end up somewhere near, below or higher up than, but never over the f-hole angeled slightly inwards, a few inches out from the body. Using your ears to "walk around" the bass, listening for a balanced spot tone-wise, but yet with punch, and some string noise, would be a good starting point.
Good luck!
just stumbled across the place. looking for another list.
I might not be qualified to be here as i make my living of recording, and don't do much of it at home
However, my 2 cents:
My favourite acou-bass mic. are, for the lack of a Neumann U47, a Soundelux E47. I find one mic to be enough for recording bass, mostly, altough sometimes a M/S setup might be nice (two U87's)
I think i have tried out at least 50 different mics on bass trough the years, as i do record lots of jazz. Amongst them;
The MD 441 is a great mic. Coupled with a nice pre, it's a really serious contender for lots of the stuff that one would normally turn to Hi-end LDC's for. Vocals included.
The MD441 is my go-to mic on Acou-bass in those situation where bleed from drums or horns are too extensive to be able to use the E47.
I find that the MD441 does an incredible job "solving" this problem.
Usually use an Tele V76 pre for this, and the 441 excells!
Lesser quality pre-amps is a drawback for the 441, but it still beats out most stuff.
As for placement, the mic goes on the G-string side. But not at the f-hole, there is usually some serious buildup around a few frequencies there, makes the bass very boomy, altough isolation is at its best.
I usually end up somewhere near, below or higher up than, but never over the f-hole angeled slightly inwards, a few inches out from the body. Using your ears to "walk around" the bass, listening for a balanced spot tone-wise, but yet with punch, and some string noise, would be a good starting point.
Good luck!
H
Han
New member
I never had much luck with a 441 on upright, although the mic is great.
The way to go is a LCD and in a band at once situation a booth, because the upright bass is a PITA. You'll have a better sound with the mic at some distance.
A ribbon like the Beyer M160 will please you and you'll be surprised at the sound of a good old AKG D12 on an upright.
The way to go is a LCD and in a band at once situation a booth, because the upright bass is a PITA. You'll have a better sound with the mic at some distance.
A ribbon like the Beyer M160 will please you and you'll be surprised at the sound of a good old AKG D12 on an upright.