UberGawkman
New member
We're going to be recording bass pretty soon, and we're mapping out a battle plan.
The facts: our bass player does lots of "slap and pop" stuff (think Incubus S.C.I.E.N.C.E.), likes to have a moderate mid scoop between 300-900hz, and we have a lot of room to work with in the between 500hz - 3khz midrange-wise in getting them to mix with the guitar tracks (that's where the "hole" in the guitars is).
We plan on three (four?) tracks:
-Direct for consistent low end
-Micing the bass cab
-Micing the bass itself (the cabs are gonna be in the other room for slap and pop definition.
Now, it's a matter of micing the bass cab in a way that captures good-sounding midrange (if that makes sense). Midrange harmonics that sounds good and smooth, without that honky-quality.
We have two speaker cabinets to choose from, also. A 4x10 cab, and a 2 x 15 cab.
I'm experienced with micing guitar cabs, but not bass. So, with that in mind:
-Which would probably be better suited for getting a present, clear, cutting midrange... the 4 x 10, or the 2 x 15? Or we could do both at the same time if we wanted to... would that make it sound thicker, or just muddy up the sound?
-What micing positions for each do you recommend? How close should I be getting for close-micing on the 4 x 10? The 2 x 15?
-Any specific mic considerations? If we're not trying to get a lot of bottom (since the direct is doing that), would any certain mics sound better? Would a shure sm57 do? Large diaphragm condensor?
I did a search on micing bass cabs, but really didn't find anything that helpful....
Thanks!
The facts: our bass player does lots of "slap and pop" stuff (think Incubus S.C.I.E.N.C.E.), likes to have a moderate mid scoop between 300-900hz, and we have a lot of room to work with in the between 500hz - 3khz midrange-wise in getting them to mix with the guitar tracks (that's where the "hole" in the guitars is).
We plan on three (four?) tracks:
-Direct for consistent low end
-Micing the bass cab
-Micing the bass itself (the cabs are gonna be in the other room for slap and pop definition.
Now, it's a matter of micing the bass cab in a way that captures good-sounding midrange (if that makes sense). Midrange harmonics that sounds good and smooth, without that honky-quality.
We have two speaker cabinets to choose from, also. A 4x10 cab, and a 2 x 15 cab.
I'm experienced with micing guitar cabs, but not bass. So, with that in mind:
-Which would probably be better suited for getting a present, clear, cutting midrange... the 4 x 10, or the 2 x 15? Or we could do both at the same time if we wanted to... would that make it sound thicker, or just muddy up the sound?
-What micing positions for each do you recommend? How close should I be getting for close-micing on the 4 x 10? The 2 x 15?
-Any specific mic considerations? If we're not trying to get a lot of bottom (since the direct is doing that), would any certain mics sound better? Would a shure sm57 do? Large diaphragm condensor?
I did a search on micing bass cabs, but really didn't find anything that helpful....
Thanks!
