Question about bass sound

[EnderChildGeniu]

Here's my situation. I run my friends semi-crap bass through an Ampeg SVT4 Pro head into a Zoom 1608 digital recorder.

I was wondering what's the best way to make the bass a little less "rumble" and more precise and focused. I'm not really sure how to describe it, but when I try to fit my bass tracks in with the rest of the instruments, it's just too much "rumble". Is this something that I can fix EQ-wise, or is this somethign that has to be done when recording?

Thanks guys.

 

[randyfromde]

Try a little less low end and a little more high end on the bass.

I *think* most of the problem area for boomy sound is the 250-500hz range. A lot of instruments fighting for those same frequencies. Depending on what instruments you are mixing, you want to "carve out" some of those frequencies, let the bass have them.

 

[Farview]

new strings help. try to add a little 800 to 1khz.

 

[ryanlikestorock]

Try a multiband compressor, focused on the low bass frequencies (below 80hz). Sometimes that'll be the issue. If you post an mp3 of the bass tone, we can probably help more.

 

[mixsit]

I *think* most of the problem area for boomy sound is the 250-500hz range.

Naturally it depends a bunch. I'd extend the search to 40-250. Above that gets into 'throat, growl' if there is any, and string tones. Then on to does it need a bell cut to counter a rise, or maybe a shelf to pull it all down some?

The new strings tip is good too if that's part of the tone.
Wayne

 

[EnderChildGeniu]

So...

Well here's a very quick and small clip of the bass...

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/0/thisisabasstestmusic.htm

The band I'm in, we play an alternative/alternative rock kind of music. Some of our guitar work has punk influences, but we are by no means even close to a punk band. So, I want the bass to fit along with this music.

We've been working on a CD some time now, and the bass is giving me trouble.

Instead of it filling and making the song feel smoothe and complete, well, it's muddy sounding. The bass has great resonance (I guess), but like I said before, I guess I need something not quite so rumbling and something that is a bit more precise and focused.

Thanks for the help and suggestions thus far!

-Daniel

 

[strmkr]

Here's my situation. I run my friends semi-crap bass through an Ampeg SVT4 Pro head into a Zoom 1608 digital recorder.



Thanks guys.

If the bass sound is really giving you a lot of trouble, you probably identified the problem right there. All the eq, compression and other gee-whiz toys and gizmos aren't a substitute for a quality instrument coupled with good playing technique. Been there, done that. By the time you get through an entire cd worth of trying to "fix up" that bass, you will be ready for the nut house. If you can possibly buy, beg or borrow a decent bass for the project, it will save you a ton of headaches in the long run.

Good luck!

 

[Farview]

Just listened to it. Buy new strings. Back off on the preamp gain. make sure the tone control on the bass is up. Turn the bass control down. turn the midrange up.

 

[mixsit]

To addition to the above good tips, for more focus; playing closer to the bridge, more consistent picking control (and perhaps even more aggressively) , and work with the compressor, which sound like it might want a slower attack, faster release.

 

[EnderChildGeniu]

Thanks!

I appreciate all the help, guys!

If any of you would like to take that bass sound and mold it into something that sounds what I think is better, then I would appreciate that, too!

But I'm not trying to get everybody to bend over backwards for me, 'cause that's selfish, but thanks for the info. I'll see what happens.

-Daniel

 

[masteringhouse]

Here's a pretty good article on tips for recording bass:

http://www.emusician.com/mag/emusic_sweet_low/index.html?camp_id=682&c_id=3472694&t=1

 

[HangDawg]

Is that even a bass guitar? Doesn't sound like one. It reminds me of the hammond organs that have the bass pedals.

 

[knightsy]

Distort the bastard. Makes it cut thru the mix easier.

 

[grinder]

I appreciate all the help, guys!
If any of you would like to take that bass sound and mold it into something that sounds what I think is better, then I would appreciate that, too!
-Daniel

You're much better off retracking, then fixing it in the mix, if the sound isn't close to what you're looking for.