Not happy recording bass into my DAW.

[grimtraveller]

Bass guitar soup

What this gives me is three identical tracks of the same take, but each with different tones, which I then combine to give me the tone I want.

How is it possible to do that though? Wouldn't you just be getting one signal through interface into the DAW?

No. It works like this. Bass is plugged into the guitar input of the Y box. Out of the "amp 1" output, I send a lead into my bass amp. This gives me sound into the amp and I adjust the amp settings as desired. I then mic the amp and the miked sound goes to say, track 1 of the DAW. From "amp 2" output, I send a lead straight into track 2 of the DAW. This acts as my DI. I send it in as is, I don't add or subtract anything. From the "line out" on the amp, I send a lead straight to the DAW on track 3. So although I'm playing one performance, I'm getting three separate bass parts or more specifically, three bass tones. They all add different things to the picture and at some point I combine the three into one track, maybe with EQ, maybe with light effects, it really depends on a few factors, not least the song.

 

[bouldersoundguy]

He already had good tone with his current playing style through an amp. The change in signal path caused the undesired change in tone, so a change in signal path ought to be able to restore his tone.

Relearning your technique and re-recording seems like the long way around, and it's probable that he'll have to apply some level of amp sim to get the tone he wants anyway.

 

[bouldersoundguy]

From the "line out" on the amp, I send a lead straight to the DAW on track 3.

His interface has two inputs.

 

[grimtraveller]

His interface has two inputs.

He neglected to mention that little fact. But even if he had, I was explaining how I sometimes do it. It doesn't have to be done with 3. Two inputs would suffice. He could also put a sponge or folded sock under the strings next to the pick ups. That helps cut down string noise, though not necesarilly the fret buzz.
The thing with asking for advice and tips is that you open yourself up to a range of answers and possibilities because people are different. This isn't a bad thing and Soss alone will be the one to eat the meat and spit out the bones.