Experience Recording Acoustic Bass?
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Posted on Jan 24, 2003 11:55 am
bmeador
Member Since: Nov 03, 2002
I spent about six hours laying down tracks with my acoustic bass last night. Listening this morning, I can't say I'm completely happy with the results.
Do any of you have experience recording an upright string bass? Any tips/recommendations on getting the best sound? I use the bow sometimes, and pluck a lot. It's the plucking that sounds horrible.
I did realize belatedly that I was too close to the mic at first and the proximity effect was killing my sound. That helped some.
I suspect that I'll need to compress to plucked parts to fix some of the percussive aspects of the sound - do you guys have any advice on how to set up the compressor to get the best sound here?
Thanks for the advice. Check my profile to see my gear.
Brad.
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juesContributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002
Jan 24, 2003 09:00 pm Hey!
Okay, first off, what mic are you using - to get a nice acoustic bass sound you WILL need a high quality condensor like an AKG-C414 - I would personally try positioning it pointing at the first few high frets (the ones near the bridge) (sorry, that was explained awfuly, but hopefully you will understand!)
As for compressor settings - try setting a Medium-Fast Attack (about 25-35ms) and a relitivly long release (about 100-120ms) then play about with the threshold level until the sound becomes 'tight' (you'll know when you start tinkering). You may also want to try using a Low Filter Roll Off (if you have a good mic it will be on there, if not, you should have one on your mixing console - if not - hey ho....) and then adding a bit of Low EQ upon mixdown rather than capturing such low frequencies at the source.
Hope that helps in some way.
jues.
WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Jan 25, 2003 01:00 am I like using two mics on mine. I put one pointing slightly down at the bottom of the fingerboard and another pointed around one f hole. Play with the distances and direction for sound preference. I also like either a very large room or a lot of baffles as bass wave lengths are so huge and most rooms become a very big resonator. I use two Oktava 012 mics. If your playing style is linear ie if you are used to backing off the bottom and hitting the top a little harder to even out your broadcast you will probably not need compression. My biggest problem with Pizz was getting a large enough or dampened enough room to capture the instrument and not the whole room, but then too sometimes the whole room sounds good on some recordings. Your sound, your chioce. Have fun!
Jan 25, 2003 01:44 pm Thanks for the advice. My options are limited to the mics in my profile (a C1 condenser and an AT Dynamic) and my cramped apartment bedroom, which has concrete walls and venetian blinds. Maybe I'll hang some blankets up and see how that effects the sound.
WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Jan 25, 2003 11:48 pm Cool! Sometimes just diffusers such as foot square ribbed foam or whatever at odd angles will also help break up the standing waves.
flame...bringing sexy backMember
Since: Jul 01, 2002
Jan 26, 2003 09:19 am failing that, do what i do when i cant get a decent sound...
stick shedloads of effects over it and make a whole new sound!
