recording upright bass

[c-j-devine]

Live sound, but I recorded it at the same time.

did you happen to do this one?

http://www.amazon.com/Long-Journey-Home-Kentucky-Colonels/dp/B000000EGO

 

[Harvey Gerst]

did you happen to do this one?

http://www.amazon.com/Long-Journey-Home-Kentucky-Colonels/dp/B000000EGO

No, when I recorded them, there were five people in the group:

Clarence White - guitar, vocals
Roland White - mandolin, vocals
Billy Ray Latham - banjo
LeRoy Mack - Dobro
Roger Bush - bass

They were the house band at the Ash Grove in L.A. for the Sunday jam sessions. I became pretty good friends with Leroy, Billy Ray, Roger, and, of course, Clarence. I often picked up Roger Bush and his bass in El Monte to take him to the Ash Grove in L.A. whenever his car wasn't working.

Later, I renewed my friendship with Clarence when he joined the Byrds. since I was associated with the Byrds at the time (i.e., living off of my song royalties).

 

[Harvey Gerst]

I thank you all for the interesting and helpful advice as my GF has taking a desire to play the upright. She plays gtr well and sings pro. Also thanks to Harvey for his participation. BTW Harvey do you know a guy in Austin whose initials are JT? HE was my instructor 20 or so years ago.

Sorry, I'm not too familiar with the Austin music scene. The only guy I know in Austin is Herbie Steiner - a pedal steel player I knew in L.A.

 

[pohaku]

No, when I recorded them, there were five people in the group:

Clarence White - guitar, vocals
Roland White - mandolin, vocals
Billy Ray Latham - banjo
LeRoy Mack - Dobro
Roger Bush - bass

They were the house band at the Ash Grove in L.A. for the Sunday jam sessions. I became pretty good friends with Leroy, Billy Ray, Roger, and, of course, Clarence. I often picked up Roger Bush and his bass in El Monte to take him to the Ash Grove in L.A. whenever his car wasn't working.

Later, I renewed my friendship with Clarence when he joined the Byrds. since I was associated with the Byrds at the time (i.e., living off of my song royalties).

Clarence White. Damn, Harvey, can I touch the hem of your garment? What a phenomenal musician.

 

[leddy]

I think the bass is usually still run through a DI to get some added volume out of it.
We dabbled with it, but didn't like our results the first few rounds.

RE all playing into one mic: Instead of trying to play into one mic, try a stereo pair. Try a method with a little space between the mics - ORTF, A-B, etc. You're probably not digging the mono sound, I'd guess.

I think you'd be happier avoiding any DI on the bass. That would only be a last-resort type thing, and with a Bluegrass band I can't see the ambient volume being so loud that you would need a DI on the bass. I have tried half-a-dozen pickups, none of them sound like a bass. They come close enough for live sound most of the time, but not recording. I don't even use one for live sound. I use a mic, and I get all kinds of compliments on my sound.

I've always said that using a pickup on a bass is like mic'ing a singer by shoving a mic up against her throat.

Try an omni mic close up (really close - like in the bridge). It will bleed a bit, but I believe it will yield a much more natural sound than a cardioid picking up all kinds of off-axis sound and proximity effect.

 

[c-j-devine]

I think you'd be happier avoiding any DI on the bass. That would only be a last-resort type thing, and with a Bluegrass band I can't see the ambient volume being so loud that you would need a DI on the bass. I have tried half-a-dozen pickups, none of them sound like a bass. They come close enough for live sound most of the time, but not recording.

I couln't agree more. It comes out sounding like an electric bass. What I've heard for recording is like an %80 mic - %20 DI mix to even things out a bit. I tried it, and I don't like it.

I don't even use one for live sound. I use a mic, and I get all kinds of compliments on my sound.

I've seen a few guys doing that and I've been wanting to try it out. I reall think thats the route i want to go. what kind of mic do you use and how is it mounted? any feedback issues?

 

[Obi-Wan zenabI]

I got away with using an '80's radio shack electret, aimed at the treble f-hole. but then, I'm not picky.

Next, I'll try my 604 with the omni capsule based on what Harvey said here.

 

[leddy]

I've seen a few guys doing that and I've been wanting to try it out. I reall think thats the route i want to go. what kind of mic do you use and how is it mounted? any feedback issues?

Well, being into recording affords me the opportunity to have many mics. Here's a list of what I've used for live sound purposes:

Shure SM57, 58, Beta 98HC, Beta 58
Beyer M88, M201, M160, M130, MC930
EV RE20
Oktava 319, MC012
AKG D112
Naiant MSH1

And probably a few more. I favor dynamics over condensers for sure. The sound of the bass will affect which mic works best, but I usually use the Beyer M88. A close second is the RE20 or the SM58. The Beyer ribbons were nice, but too expensive/fragile for gigs. The M201 was interesting - didn't work on my bass, but I can see it working on a darker, wolfy bass. I have a flatback with lots of midrange punch.

Edit: I just mount it on a stand in front. I really work on having a big, loud sound. It's harder to mic a bass successfully if you don't produce a big sound from the instrument.

 

[Thurgood]

Thanks for the reply. I bump the ORTF. Oh btw Harvey, Terra Nova Mastering. no spam intended.