Recording bass direct.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dmeek
  • Start date Start date
I just tried plugging straight into My Pod X3 Directly & compared it with the same bass line done through the Whammy & Wah. I recorded them back to back & i must say though hardly noticeable it defiantly changed the sound a bit. I had to listen back & forth & it was more like something you can feel a difference in than hear. The real test will be when & record it along with guitars & drums. Then I`ll be able to hear if it fills the space properly or not. I am thinking I`ll probably just get a "Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI". It seems to have a great track record (no pun intended) & some albums with bass tone i really like have used it. In the past i was just recording direct & using plug-ins as suggested. Though I would like the convenience of modeling I`m not willing to sacrifice sound for it. I`ll let you guys know how it sounds along with Guitars & Drums;)
 
What amp model were you using? That will make a difference.
 
They all lacked the earthy low tone. Even sub bass sounded hollow
 
I've never used the X3, but I've gotten some good bass tones from the Bass Pod pro.

The reason that people like the Tech 21 stuff is because it has a big hump around 100hz. This is true with everything they make (that I have tried) Including the PSA-1, the bass amps, and the DI box.

I'm not trying to argue for the X3. If you are unhappy with it, get something else.
 
Dmeek said:
I am thinking I`ll probably just get a "Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI". It seems to have a great track record (no pun intended) & some albums with bass tone i really like have used it. In the past i was just recording direct & using plug-ins as suggested. Though I would like the convenience of modeling I`m not willing to sacrifice sound for it. I`ll let you guys know how it sounds along with Guitars & Drums;)
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you are on the right track now. The pod just don't have what it takes for bass is what I was trying to say all along without getting flamed for it. I figured if I just keep my mouth shut long enough eventually you will figure it out on your own and you did.:D

The Sansamp Bass Driver DI is great for live sound use as well the only thing better than the Tech 21 would be this
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once you get the Sansamp plug the wah and whammy back in and see what you get;)
 
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Seems to me like you've run into a very common problem: wanting to use effects (in pedal or other form) with bass, yet they also suck tone. Here's how I fix this:
- First, split your signal into two paths (I'd think in the X3 that would be using 2 amps).
- You are going to use the first signal purely as a low-end signal. Don't use any effects on this, and cut away everything but the lows. The best way would be a steep low-pass filter at at 150 hz or something around that, mess with it untill you have nothing but the low, deep stuff. If you don't have a low-pass filter (don't know if there is one in the X3) use an EQ and turn everything down except the bass.
- The second signal is going to be your hi and effects signal. Do the opposite to this signal (so that would be a hi-pass filter at 150 or EQ with only the bass turned down). Now apply any effects to this (whammy, wah, whatever you want).
- Mix the signals back together (automatically done in the X3 I think).

You can now use any effect you want and it will NEVER suck any kind of bass out of your signal, because it's not touching it!. This can be a complicated setup though, especially if you don't have the option to split the signal.

It works very well though, and with pretty much any effect. I often use this on distorted bass, two very simple reasons:
80hz + distortion = farty stuff
200-400hz + distortion = meaty, fat stuff
2khz-6khz + distortion = bity, gritty stuff
anything over 6khz / 7khz + distortion = fizzy, screetchy nasty stuff
Pick your flavors and split your signal accordingly. Works wonders, trust me.
 
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