Recording Bass Through a Mixer
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Posted on Nov 02, 2008 01:33 am
PeacefulBurnings
Member Since: Feb 15, 2008
I'm recording bass plugged directly into my mixer and out into the computer. What is the best way to get deeper, more true bass sound. Any suggestions besides a DI box?
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Nov 02, 2008 01:38 am Honestly, the best sound is with the fewest electronics in the way. My opinion: for electric bass guitar, plug that thing directly in.
Other schools of thought: Mic the bass cabinet too. You can blend the direct signal with the cabinet mic to achieve a certain sound as well.
I prefer the "direct in" sound. Seems truer to me.
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Nov 02, 2008 01:51 am our bass player uses his amp head which has a DI xlr. works good.
Nov 02, 2008 02:29 am I've previously tried running directly in and miced the cab, but the bass still sounds flat, which I guess is the best choice of words. What would be the best direction to take to mixing the bass? Here's one of the songs I'm having this problem on www.myspace.com/butterflyandspacyjensen
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Nov 02, 2008 04:52 am sounds like you need to pull out some mid range on the bass.
also if you compress it, about 4:1 ratio wise should make it sound thicker.
maybe even put a really short delay on it to take the edge off and get a smoother feel.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Nov 02, 2008 06:52 am Sounds like, that with that song, it could use some dirty-ing up. Like a tube overdrive. Not a lot, but just a bit to give it some grit.
There's some tube emulators on the net.
Ruby Tube
www.silverspike.com/?Products:RubyTube
Here's one I've not seen before:
www.spacenoah.com/audio/2...lator-download/
Dirthead:
www.ndzeit.org/guitar/dirthead.html
Drop one of those before your other effects, and start tweaking.
It may also be advantageous to put a cabinet impulse after your plugins, to give it some body and depth back. I've not done this much, but many have with good results.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Nov 02, 2008 01:11 pm Yep, if your recording it direct through the mixer then applying some processing with a VST would give it back a bit of life. Compression and EQ in the ranges suggested above will help a great deal. pjk's idea of adding a little overdrive as well for that piece is very good. It would really give it it's own place in the mix then.
Nov 02, 2008 03:11 pm Thanks everybody, I compressed the track, pulled down the high mid, and added some overdrive with the Rudy Tube. It sounds much better, but what do you mean by adding a cabinet impulse? Is it usally a good idea to add a little bit of overdrive to bass track for all heavier songs like punk songs?
Nov 02, 2008 03:16 pm I just recently, last nigt actually, came across a spectrum analyzer and was wondering, what are the proper frequencies a bass track should range in?
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Nov 02, 2008 07:48 pm concerntrate on the bass sound that you like firstly and that fits with the mix you are currently working with.
then make sure that you dont have any frequencies competing with each other.
you can check these against say the kick drum and other instruments in your mix that the bass could possibly be competing with.
if your bottom end of the kick sits at around 60hz then make sure the bass isnt smothering it on the same frequency.
same goes for anything else in your mix.
you'll get more defintion from your instruments if you break them up like this.
i usually, at the time, cant tell too much when i do this at first, coz its so suttle but once youre done its the difference between a mushy mix to a nice clean one.
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Nov 02, 2008 07:51 pm but if you have a spectral analyzer, then you can see using this.
i would go by that and by ear.
your eyes can deceive you a bit, its all about the ears in the end.
