Recording guitar+bass direct (BRMC)

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EddieVergunst

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I have a session next week and the band wants to record their guitars+bass with a D.I. They've got this idea from the latest [i}Black Rebel Motorcycle Club[/i] record. This was apparently all done Direct. Anyway, I was wondering what are the best methods for getting a good sound out of a D.I. I've done this before and found the resulting sound to be very dull and lifeless.
Thanks in advance
 
EddieVergunst said:
Anyway, I was wondering what are the best methods for getting a good sound out of a D.I.
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Plug it in and hit record. And pray.
 
Your bass will probably do OK, but I fear for the electric. A big part of eguitar sound is the amp. I'd go for a POD or something as a direct box, otherwise you're going to record the bare sound of the pickups.
 
i agree... the amp plays a huge part in the sound of a guitar. if u have a decent sounding amp, mic it. i dont even like the output signal out of the amp... its still nothing like the sound of the speaker
 
Well, if that's the way they want it done, so be it. I'm sure there was more to the sound of BRMC than just running Direct. Keep an amp hooked up so you can show them the difference. Don't forget to pray too.
 
the problem is there are no amps available. Would some sort of overdrive/distortion pedal in front of the DI make a difference?
 
I have actually never tried that, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. What is the rest of your recording set up?
 
Phosphene said:
What is the rest of your recording set up?
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Well its not my own studio/ They have an O2R V2.0 console, Mackie 2496 HDR and a couple of cheap Behringer/Phonic mic pre's + comp.
 
Well, you asked what's the *best* way to go DI. The best way is to put the bass through the best DI box you can lay your hands on, and the guitar through an amp modeler. For the bass, Countryman, Sansamp (less expensive), Avalon U5 (more expensive), For the guitar, Behringer VAMP II (less expensive), POD XT/Johnson J-station (more expensive). Going DI, the quality of the recorded sound will depend on what boxes exist between the axe and the recorder. Unfortunately, it simply cannot be done without spending some money. Your Palmers may work for the bass. A simple DI will not give you great guitar sound.-Richie
 
I have recorded my Les Paul plugged into a distortion stomp box and then into a DI. The recorded sound was great...of course, you have to like the sound of the stomp box.
 
I recorded this song using a Digitech RP50 ($60) with the cabinet voicing on, and then direct into the line ins on my soundcard. An inexpenisive solution, but somebody's going to have fiddle around with the box to get a sound they like.

(Please leave a comment on the recording. Thanks!)
 
Don't Palmers have speaker simulation? Or is that just the higher end models?
 
Dunno if Palmer has simulation.

I record direct. More out of necessity than preference.

I use an ADA Micrcab II. I was wary at first cuz the first time I played through one I thought they were a bit noisy. Turns out it musta been the system I was playing through. I'm very pleased with the results.

I can get the sound of my analog amp without have to tweak the holy bejesus out of some DSP driven pocket-sized POS (no offense to the POD or VAMP users, I just hate the littel things lol).

If getting your hands on an emulator is not possible, at least get a 1/3 octave EQ and put it between the DI box and the Channel input. Coming straight out of the amp, you're not gonna have frequencies in your mix that is heard thru the speakers. As stated above, the speakers are a vital part of the sound of a guitar when a guitarist is dialing in his sound.
Essentially, when recording guitar direct, it's going to take a few "test recordings" to get a sound that everyone is happy with and will mesh well in the mix.
 
My friend uses his POD Line 6 all the time for electric (vintage Tele), and he plugs in directly. He gets good results, but I always feel that there is a lack of depth that only real speakers can provide. I think the POD is one of the best amp sims out there. I've used a Boss ME-33 with decent, but not incredible results. I'm sure all this will change as technology continues to improve.

I have yet to hear a software amp simulator that sounds event decent, though I've only autitioned a few.

As soon as I put the SM57 on my guitar amp, the sound improves 100% over direct from the ME-33. If you have a good amp, and can get away with making some noise in your house, do it!
 
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