Micing Bass Guitar???

[grosslocust]

Ok... here's a simple one. I'm micing a bass cabinet with a D112 and a 57 on the horn for kicks. It doesn't seem like I'm getting the low end, the balls if you will, out of it that I am hearing coming out of the cabinet. I'm close micing it, and even trying it at variable lengths up to 8 in. or so I'm still not finding a sound that captures what I want. Now, I believe with a bit of EQ I can add some more to it in mixing, but I want the sound to be right when I bring it in so instead of adding to it I have only but to subtract. Any suggestions, maybe different mic choice? I don't have a wide spectrum of mics, but I might be able to borrow from friends, but I'd prefer to know what I might do with a D112. I tried a number of other ideas over passed recording sessions, and I've found that the bass sound is present, but I still feel it's lacking. Thanks for all of your help.

Here's my mic list, if this helps.
(2) D112
(4) SM57
(1) e609
(1) KSM 127
(1) MK 319
(1) AT 3035

 

[tmix]

Some people will run a direct line from the bass to the recorder to capture the lowest end or put a room mic(omni) up about 6 to 8 feet away.It takes distance for bass frequency waves to develope. It is hard to pickup frequencies that dont develope for several feet with a mic inches away from the speaker.

Tom

 

[Rokket]

I agree! I only run the bass direct-in, by either running straight to the mixer, or if I want some flavor, I will run through my amp's pre or through an effects processor. Mics on bass are a headache...

 

[Halion]

Most people want a clean bass tone, and for that DI-ing works perfectly. To me it seems that micing a bass cab is only really usefull if the amp/speaker really colors the sound for the better. Many bassplayers will agree that the best speaker for a bass cab is one with a full and 100% flat frequency response. That's not possible, but with DI, you can get pretty close.

If you want to recorded overdriven bass, that's another story.

 

[producerkid]

I recorded a band where the bass player used an SWR head with an Ampeg 6x10 cabinet (yes, with a horn). I used my D112 about 6 inches away from the cabinet on the outside edge of the cone, off axis, pointing at the horn. In headphones it sounded warm and round but not necassarily thumpy. I then ran a DI line from his head, and flipped that out of phase. I rolled off anything on the DI channel below 60 hz and boosted the presence and a little 10k sparkle. On the mic track, I rolled off anything over about 800hz-1k. Blending the two tracks gave me a really filling, fat bass tone I, and the client, was happy with. Try this approach and see if it works. It worked wonders for me.

P.S. Depending on what amp you have, be careful with a DI signal they can tend to be very noisy on cheaper rigs.

the kid

 

[sbenak1@mac.com]

get a cheap direct box and do it that way. Otherwise it's mud, mud, mud unless you are very skilled and using great gear.

 

[grosslocust]

Thanks, any other suggestions?

Thanks everyone. You're suggestions have been very helpful. After fooling around for a bit to get a decent sound with any mic configuration I decided to go direct. It sounds better than any other sound we were getting.

However, if anyone has anymore suggestions as to different mic choices and placement I am very interested. I would really like to get a good bass sound using mics.

Finally, if there are any suggestions for bass preamps that get a good sound and can assist with a direct signal and/or micing up a rig, I would also be interested in any recommendations. Thanks for all of your help. Peace.

Adam

 

[tmix]

I have experimented with running my bass through a Johnson J-Station for the direct feed , but also putting a condensor mic up in front of my right playing hand where I am picking and spanking . It sounds great when a little bit of that rattle and pop is added back in. Particularly for Funk.

Now I wish I could just play Bass better!

Tom

 

[chadsxe]

Anyone of any suggestions on a cheap Direct Box made for recording bass

 

[mixsit]

The D112 is pre-eq'd with a large scoop. Maybe the KSM127?
Wayne

 

[mixsit]

The D112 is pre-eq'd with a pretty large scoop. Maybe the KSM127?
Wayne

 

[Farview]

The difference between what you hear in the room and what you hear on the recording is your monitors. The d112 is picking up the low end from the cabinet, you just aren't going to be able to shake your pant-leg with your monitors. You would have the same problem with headphones, you just can't FEEL the low end.

 

[reverendo]

producerkid do the right thing! ...for me this is the best way to work whit bass!

 

[mixsit]

The difference between what you hear in the room and what you hear on the recording is your monitors. The d112 is picking up the low end from the cabinet, you just aren't going to be able to shake your pant-leg with your monitors.

On top of that there is a size or scale issue if you will, of what fits in the stereo sound stage coming back.
I'm finding a similar example on a project here. The bass is mic and DI, in a sort of 'traditional round Fender' tone. In their raw state they don't sound particularly deep, but as I take out some 90-120, it's falling into line.
Hmm... I don't have a scoop' mic. Looks I could have put your D-112 to good use on this one.
Wayne

 

[Cloneboy Studio]

Honestly when I record bass I put a RE20 on the cabinet about 2' away and keep the amp volume fairly low to avoid rumble. I also cut a lot of the low frequencies out--what I'm trying to capture is the 'tone' and mids of the amp. Then I run a DI thru a preamp to capture the lows and highs of the bass.

Setup requires a splitter box, but that's no big deal.

IMHO the trick to getting good sounds off a bass amp is to keep the volume low and elevate the cabinet. You don't need to run it as loud as a guitar amp--in fact, the louder the amp the muddy the sound you will get. Keep the volume at a very controlable level and make sure that nothing rattles.

 

[mixsit]

Honestly when I record bass I put a RE20 on the cabinet about 2' away and keep the amp volume fairly low to avoid rumble. I also cut a lot of the low frequencies out--what I'm trying to capture is the 'tone' and mids of the amp. Then I run a DI thru a preamp to capture the lows and highs of the bass.

Hell, I'm going to try that when I get back. Right now I'm combining, then eq'ing.

 

[Cloneboy Studio]

Hell, I'm going to try that when I get back. Right now I'm combining, then eq'ing.

I cut the low on the AMP to prevent room rumble. I may do some individual eq/compression to each channel before summing them to a buss and recording it.

 

[ozraves]

On bass amp I like the EV RE20 or the AT ATM25.

I prefer a DI though. I generally use a Great River MP-2NV as a DI for bass. I also use the A Designs MP-2.

Fletcher sells AxMax DIs for $75 each... http://mercenary.com/axmax.html