techniques and hints for recording a bass

[ryan_p]

Hello. I am in the process of recording a demo for my band. I have read up a lot on recording guitars, vocals, and drums, but I have not found much on bass recording techniques. If some one could give me the basic breakdown of how to record a bass I would really appreciate it. Should I record direct, mic an amp, or both? Also, I have heard that compression is a big part of a good bass sound. What compression techniques are generaly used?

Thanks a lot, this place is a HUGE help.

Ryan

 

[Track Rat]

I generally save compression for mix time and try not to track with it. Here's a few things I've tried that worked out OK.
If you can get a hold of either a bass preamp of some kind (I use a Hughs & Kettner B.A.T.T.) or a DI of some kind like a Countryman will serve you well. I sometimes mic the cab as well but it seems I always end up using the direct signal.
If your bass amp has a line output, that'll work nicely as a direct send.

 

[Roel]

If you got enough tracks, record both the direct signal and the miked cab. As far as my experience goes, I like the miked sound best. Or a blend of the 2.

Compression is not always necessary, experiment while mixing...

There's also a difference with the placement of the cab. If you place it on the ground, and mic it from below you might get a sound with more bass... Again, experiment.......

There's not really that much to say about recording a bass, I guess... See what sound fits the band best...

 

[twist]

I always record bass direct, and have found compression to be a must. At least for me. I'm not a skilled bass player, and technique can play a large role in your sound . Also the type of bass you're using will affect your decision. You have to experiment A LOT.

Try recording direct through a preamp or mixer with a compressor.


Twist

 

[blipndub]

I've found the combination of both direct and miced works well. I have a GK RCB200 which has a direct out and that runs into the mixer and then I mic the cab with a 57, straight on center of the cone. The micing gives it body, the direct gives it clarity. I either compress it a little at the mixer or afterwards in cakewalk.

I've also found that running a gain boost into the miced cab is nice, no distortion just a good solid punch. tubescreamer or a Rat work well b/c you can get a lot of boost without much distortion.

I think compression is more imporatant for direct recording as it helps smooth out the "poing" sound that tends to happen.

Then again, it all seems to change on the weather or something, I find it really hard to get consistent tones day to day.

 

[Tekker]

If you have the mics (and inputs) try recording both the DI and miced cab and also try micing the strings of the bass itself. Of course you'd have to have the bass player in a separate room from the amp otherwise you'd get to much bleed from the amp and wouldn't get much of the string noises.

-tkr

 

[Uladine]

Although I havent yet delved into bass recording very deeply yet, I've got some pretty good sounds by actually running the bass direct through a guitar POD with no efects, then to the mixer for a bit of EQ.

 

[ryan_p]

I'll try all that out, Thanks for the help!

 

[Scooter B]

Ryan P,

If you are able to mix a direct and Mic'd signal you have to be carefull (as with all two or more source inputs) for phase cancelations with your mic placement. If your preamp has a phase reversal switch one neat way to handle this is to listen to both signals with equally mixed and volume and vary the mic position to cause the most phase cancelation and then reverse the phase. You can tell when you are getting the most phase cancelation when the bass sounds the thinest and "washed out".

If you have enough tracks record both seperately (as Roel recomended) and mix/adjust the two signals when you mix down.