Tips for D.Iing bass?

  • Thread starter Thread starter TelePaul
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TelePaul

TelePaul

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Has anyone got any tips for recording bass straight-in? I don't have a bass amp modeller or anything fancy, just a plain old 1/4" into the line level of my Alesis interface.
 
At least get a DI box. I got a DOD DI at a pawn shop fer next to nothing. Now we have a Sansamp Bass DI.
 
Three things
1/ Get a DI box
2/ Remember! Shit in = Shit out. Always try and get a good clean and clear signal.
3/ Trust your ears
 
i do bass by d.i.'ing in and running a free bass amp modeler i found at kvr called halion. it's pretty cool and does a decent enough job for me (especially for free) i run the compression up, add a little drive to grit things up and e.q. to taste.

i'm sure there will be those that think it sucks, but these are my opinions only.

ymmv, blah,blah,blah

later...

p.s. i might end up with a sansamp before it's all said and done. i've heard some really good tracks using those.

p.s.s. - if you try the halion plug, don't depend on the presets they suck. work with the e.q. and compressor and you'll get a decent tone.
 
DI bass is good, because usually bass cabs and amps don't color the signal too much, they do add natural compression though, so you will find yourself applying heavier compression on the bass tracks.

Bass amp modeling seems like a waste of time, as it sounds great just dry.
 
Seafroggys said:
DI bass is good, because usually bass cabs and amps don't color the signal too much, they do add natural compression though, so you will find yourself applying heavier compression on the bass tracks.

Bass amp modeling seems like a waste of time, as it sounds great just dry.
Click to expand...


i disagree that bass amp modeling is a waste of time. bass amps can have a lot of different flavors to them from the modern clean and crispy sound to a vintage fat ampeg type sound.

while it is true that a lot of times a straight DI bass tone can work well i find it to be true that i am often left wanting more. I use the AmpegSVX plugin pretty often when all i have is a DI bass track. otherwise i'll run DI as well as putting a mic on the amp.

and yes a good solid DI is necessary. i've been using the DI input on my DMP3 preamp lately and it's working pretty well for me although if the bass amp has a good DI built into it i'll often use that out of convenience.
 
I use a Hartke vxl pedal. Not much more or about the same as a decent di box. Works great for me.
 
I had a DBX 163x for a very long time and always used it as a DI. Then I read somewhere on this forum that that's a good box for DIing. Some are listed on EBay.

peace
 
Crank the input and play softer for a more consistent performance.
Sansamp is recommended.
 
Seems like A D.I is the way to go so. I was thinking about Tangerine's GIGO post...I'm not a bass player, I prefer guitar...and the bass I have is kinda shit. I might try borrow a friends (he has a decent enough short-scale Epi) because I can't get any clarity from what I have. It's just so muddy.
 
Speaking as a bass player on a budget of near nought DON'T SHOOT ME but the Behri vtone Bass Di is really very good and VERY cheap. solid too.
Personally I like the DI coupled with a mic'd cab to blend & play but the Vtaon Bass DI has some very simple knobs that do good things.
Apart from that the Yamaha FX500 from the late 80's has some nice treatment for a DI bass.
It may also sound stupid but a bass straight into a 1/2 reasonable Preamp can do wonderful things too.
 
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