What kind of mic to record the bass
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Posted on Sep 28, 2004 05:56 pm
Bruno
The Quiet Minded
Member Since: Jan 01, 2003
I am going to record bass direct in but want to mic the instrument too. Do I use a 57 or a small diaphragm condeser?
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Sep 28, 2004 06:21 pm A 57 will work for you. A Sennheiser 421 would be a better choice.... but I have had good results with a 57 and a DI. It's just my personal preference... but I like a lot of attack so I mic it close. I would never shove one of my good condesor mics a couple of inches from the speaker. I would be afraid of damaging the mic. But, Engineer's do use them to mic bass... just not this one. I'll stick with a dynamic.
WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Sep 28, 2004 09:56 pm Micing a bass cab is a challange. The 57 is a good choice. A condenser will do a nice job but the constraints get numerous. Gotta watch the SPL for protection of the mic, to aviod movement saturation of the diaphram, and proximity effect. Along with that as you move the mic back you quickly get beyond critical distance (distance where reverberated sound equals projected sound) in most rooms. I have successfully used an NT1 with a lot of sound conditioning work in a very large room. There are a few other mics that have a more specific response to bass that I would like to try at some point, but that is a ways down the road. Many other mics I would like to purchase first for other more pressing specialized needs.
el musicoFreeleance Producer/Engineer/GtrMember
Since: Aug 11, 2002
Sep 29, 2004 12:10 am there's really not "the one" mic but these do it better than most. if you have access try them all and decide which is best for the sound you want. i suggest any of these: AKG d112, Sennheiser e602, Shure beta52, Beyerdynamic m88. I sometimes use a combo, like a D112 for the bottom and an EV-PL6 to pick up the slap or click...
of course a 57 would be good too but someone already recommended that.
BrunoThe Quiet MindedMember
Since: Jan 01, 2003
Sep 29, 2004 08:40 am I am not miking the cab, but the instrument itself.
MinkusMazBane of All ExistenceMember
Since: Mar 27, 2003
Sep 29, 2004 09:53 am condenser, but don't be surprised if you have phase issues between the two signals. it's pretty rare that you'll get a direct and a mic right on. if they sound terrible together, run one through a simple delay, turn the dry all the way off, turn the wet to 0.0, and play with the time values between .01 seconds and .39 seconds (even finer if you can). that'll give you a rough way to bring it back into phase.
el musicoFreeleance Producer/Engineer/GtrMember
Since: Aug 11, 2002
Sep 29, 2004 03:20 pm double post... sorry
el musicoFreeleance Producer/Engineer/GtrMember
Since: Aug 11, 2002
Sep 29, 2004 03:23 pm oh, you're micing the instrument itself... i didn't read the post well, sorry. as far as phase problems anther option is to phase align them visually after recording it by lining up the first peak of the mic signal with the direct signal.
flame...bringing sexy backMember
Since: Jul 01, 2002
Sep 29, 2004 05:22 pm what kinda sound ya going for, out of interest? what youre describing either makes me think of a nirvana type grungy bass or a double bass jazzy type thing...
BrunoThe Quiet MindedMember
Since: Jan 01, 2003
Sep 30, 2004 12:45 pm i dont have in mind what i am going for. my plan is to record an then experiment some different sounds. I have never miked the bass itself, but I always notice and like when i hear it. so, i am open to experimentation.
WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Sep 30, 2004 09:33 pm Personaly, I'd start with one or two small diaphram condensers and toy around with the neck and bridge. On an upright target spots are center string or around 12th fret, end of the fingerboard, bridge, and "f" hole. Obviously if your base is a hard body there is no "f" hole. Usually off axis and verticaly parallel with the fingerboard, although now with a bass guitar that would be horozontaly. A small condenser will give you more directionality and sensitivity, although if the room is very quiet an LD would be fine. I hate mouse farts in my recordings.
