Mic choice for acoustic bass

[Pughbert]

Im working on a project at the moment that will have an acoustic bass. NOT a double bass, but a standard acoustic one! Ive have plenty of mics avalible to me - c414, nt1x2, nt2, nt3 x2, 57x3 d112x1 and some others.

I intend to use a DI out from the bass - and a body and neck mic. I was planning on the c414 on the body. But was unsure between another condenser or the d112 for the neck.

What would you use - in what formation

Im open to all suggestions...

Cheers, James

 

[giraffe]

i'd just use di and 414, you'll get the presents out of the di, and the character out of the mic. probably 2 mic's (3 total sources) will only complicate with phase issues etc.........

placement you're just going to have to play with, don't pigeon hole yourself with ideas like "414 on the body"
sure, try that and maybe that's where it needs to be.
but try it everywhere else too, cause maybe it needs to be on the neck, over the shoulder, looking up at the sound hole, back in the room 5 feet, on the sound board and 3 feet away, etc, etc, etc........

 

[simpleybass]

Im working on a project at the moment that will have an acoustic bass. NOT a double bass, but a standard acoustic one!

Are you talking about an upright acoustic bass that is 3/4 or 1/2 size (not a full size double bass)...

Or are you talking about an acoustic bass guitar?

 

[Pughbert]

Are you talking about an upright acoustic bass that is 3/4 or 1/2 size (not a full size double bass)...

Or are you talking about an acoustic bass guitar?

sorrry - yer acoustic bass guitar.

 

[jkokura]

sorrry - yer acoustic bass guitar.

I'd use the DI, the 414 on the body and the NT3 on the neck...my thought is always mic the heck out of the signal, and then take or scrap the good and bad later...but you will have to watch your positioning to make sure you don't run into phase issues.

Jacob

 

[Big Kenny]

It will depend on what "sound you are looking for. More attack, more punch = 12th fret pointing at the sound hole: more blend, smoother = the bridge 6" - 2' away. The over the shoulder works great on these monsters too

 

[Joel Hamilton]

I just recorded some bass with a Charter oak SA538B and it is some of the best AC bass I have ever recorded. The mic was simply aimed basically at the bridge, as the player was switching back and forth from Pizz to arco. Both sounded great. The mic pre was a brent averill 1272.

The Charter oak is one of the best "deals" in microphones i have found.

It stood up well to all the other mics I have that cost twice (!!) what the CO costs.