Recording bass

[zebadee]

Any ideas on how to stop a bass sounding "plonky" when I record it? It sounds terrible. I'm using a cheap ibanez (GSR200 or something) played with fingers, with decent strings and putting it through a direct box then into my sound card.

I've tried messing around with the tone and pickup volume controls but if anything it sounds worse.

I don't know much about basses I'm just borrowing this one to put some bass lines under my guitar stuff I've recorded. I think I'll check out the music shop and try some other basses to make sure it's not just me

 

[CDT-sHaG]

try to run it out of a preamp (tube) or out of the output of an amp...maybe some eq also...does it have active pickups?

 

[Aaron Cheney]

"It sounds terrible. I'm using a cheap ibanez..."

I think you answered your own question.


Your statement that using the EQ and volume knobs only makes it worse gives me the impression that you are simply up against the limitations of a cheap instrument. There are certainly things you can try to get the best results from what you have, but you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

Here are some suggestions:

Record it direct!!!
Try using a pick.
Spend some time getting to know compression.
Ditto for EQ. (Try cutting some upper-mids.)
Make sure your bass part and kick drum part are tight.

Aaron
http://www.aaroncheney.com

 

[Gidge]

I would need to know the definition of "plonky", or better yet, a short mp3 clip, to help....I record bass with a $129 Fender Squier, so I doubt that is your problem.....

what DI unit are you using.....

off hand, the above recommendations on compression, use of a pick, and eq are pretty much my immediate thoughts...I just cannot play bass with fingers....Im a guitar player and I only play bass when I record, so I have no time to practice technique......consequently, a compressor is a must for me also or my playing would be all over the place....I go into a J-Station and straight to the card and the sound is nice...i mean really nice...for $149 it would be a great improvement for you...it has EQ, compression, other effects, skip the DI.....

 

[zebadee]

I tried running the bass through mates compressor after the DI box and it sounds a lot better.

Thanks guys!