microphone for bass amplifier

  • Thread starter Thread starter Rhamett
  • Start date Start date
R

Rhamett

New member
hi . what wood you choose to microphone a bass cabinet for electric rock bass?
 
Your choices will be limited compared to vocal mics, mainly because you really should use a mic that is specifically designed to record bass.

If you can only spend $100 bucks, then it may not matter so much, just get a decent mic and try it. But if you can spend more, you should shop for a bass mic. Sorry I dont know much about the specifics on that......
 
An AKG D112, a Shure Beta 52, a Sennheiser MD421...

But personally (and lots will agree), DI your signal - it'll be much easier to do, control, and will give you the punch you need.

Jacob
 
the two posts above offer some good advice as to mics...is there a particular reason you want to mic the amp? otherwise i would strongly advise using a DI. from my experience it sounds much better than anything out of an amp. perhaps if you have an amp head you might want to use that and DI the output...
 
Use a DI on the instrument and you can always send the signal to an amp afterwords. Use a microphone at the same time like D12/112, MD421/441, PL20, a neutral LDC will do and probably all those special kick drum mics will make you quite happy. But don't forget the DI and don't DI the amp, just the instrument. Of course you can use a DI on the instrument and another DI on the amp. Plus the mic so you'll be recording the bass to three tracks.

Than you can do whatever you want in the mix
 
I've been using a Shure SM7 with great success. Also, try any LDC blended with DI signal. Often two bass signals (in phase, of course) sound really nice.
 
Han said:
don't DI the amp, just the instrument.
Click to expand...


I'm not quite sure why you'd suggest that. Any reason? I mean, if you have a good bass head (David Eden etc.) then i would suggest DI'ing that, like that you also have the EQ settings which the bassist likes...
 
Lately I've been using a combination of Shure SM57, Rode NT1A, and the direct signal from the instrument (via a Behringer DI100) with good results.

The bass in this song was accomplished with such a setup, with the addition of an AT4041:


I recently ordered a Yamaha subkick, and am looking forward to experimenting with that on bass. I plan to get an Audix D6 or a Shure Beta 52 at some point, but for now I'm happy enough with the sound I'm getting.
 
MessianicDreams said:
I'm not quite sure why you'd suggest that. Any reason? I mean, if you have a good bass head (David Eden etc.) then i would suggest DI'ing that, like that you also have the EQ settings which the bassist likes...
Click to expand...

Because I've found out the hard way that some amps (Hartke) don't give any sub low end to the DI out, the instrument will give you it's whole freq spectrum.
 
There seems here to be a lot of people who will DI the bass as a standard way or recording. And that is all they will do. What a shame it is as you are missing out on a whole world of sounds.
DI bass is fine and will give you a good sounding bass, unfortunatly it will be a prety boring sounding bass coz that it what everybody else will be doing.
If you have the option, mic the amp and put as much focus on getting a good sounding bass as you would a good sounding guitar. Yeah you may get a bit more low end from a di signal but when recording rock, as i think this chap is, that really low end is not going to do you any favours anyway.
The amp you play through will ad soooo much colour to the sound, as will the speaker itself. Don't miss out on this colour!! Get a unique bass sound-------- mic the cab!! :D
 
The **REAL** difficulty in micing the cab is that, in an untreated room, you'll end up with a lot of mush. The issue isn't whether DI is inherently better than micing, but what your room sounds like...

...and many, many small project studios have more lf nodes than you can shake a bass at.

By all means, try both methods. Most of us with opinions have, and for me, I can control the sound of the bass a lot better with DI (I also route the signal through a set of speakers with a sub, so the bass player can get it LOUD enough;)).
 
lpdeluxe said:
The **REAL** difficulty in micing the cab is that, in an untreated room, you'll end up with a lot of mush. The issue isn't whether DI is inherently better than micing, but what your room sounds like...
Click to expand...

I do not agree by a LONG SHOT! With the mic up to maybe 18" away from the speaker, the room will not come into play.
 
Well, let's start a fight about it, then. My point is to try both ways, and go with the one that works. That's a never-fail remedy for all the dogmatic statements.
 
Ford Van said:
I do not agree by a LONG SHOT! With the mic up to maybe 18" away from the speaker, the room will not come into play.
Click to expand...

What kind of mic exists that can pick up a signal from 18" away and somehow not pick up the room?! A LDC is gonna pick up every nuance of the room almost equally as the signal itself.
How come no one told the guy to get some acoustic bass traps to keep the low end frequencies in the room crisp and defined, and throw an LDC on it? He can always blend a DI with it if he wants. Don't give up on the idea of getting an original, natural bass sound. You think all the great bass sounds we've heard for decaded were recorded DI? I doubt it.
 
beleive it or not....a boundry mic (species of electret mic) is worth trying on a bass cab.


Like the crown PZM is worth looking at.
 
Ford Van said:
I do not agree by a LONG SHOT! With the mic up to maybe 18" away from the speaker, the room will not come into play.
Click to expand...


ARE YOU SURE?! :eek: (Judges, does he have time to rephrase his answer?!)

I'm just jerkin your chain dude. But seriously, you have to really think hard on this one. I can guarantee that if you close mic a bass in your bathroom, you're going to get a different sound than if you close mike a bass in a treated room.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top