miking up bass cabs

[soundmanjim]

hi all

question.

live, i mike the bass players cab and di it (the internal di in the head is very naff) and send both to the desk on seperate channels; use the di signal for lows and some mid and the mike to grab the clank and highs.
Ive tried several different tactics here - even inverting the signals against each other but i still get varying results - some times i get a really beautiful thick edgy bass sound and other times a horrible honk which takes a bit of eq'ing to get rid of; any suggestions to get a more consistently good sound?

[John Bell]

Hi Jim, I normally just use the amp DI output direct to the desk and have got great results, as the bass rigs have been top notch.

The bigger bass rigs are normally well up for a big sound on their own and just need a light touch from the FOH.

The smaller combo's need more from the PA (except my Line 6 LownDown Pro 300, that's some piece of kit).
They tend to be overdriven by the bass guitarist, so I let them monitor through the drum-fill subs so they can back off a bit and still hear and feel the power.

When there is no amp DI output, I use a Sure Beta 52, aimed directly at the voice coil, almost touching the cab grill. This gives a good punch and good presence.

John.

[soundmanjim]

Hi John

The bass player can get very loud onstage so i tend to mike him and di him so that the mix i get is such that he doesnt get carried away and blow away the drummers ears!

He uses Biffy Clyro's old Ashdown ABM 900 evo 2 and a 8 x 10 cab - so if he cranks it he wipes everything out!!

Ive been using a Sennheiser 602 mk 2 on the cab and that sounds really nice - then i feed the di to the monitors to avoid squeal.

I guess its just a case of trying stuff out i suppose - but i really like getting a mike on him as he's using a very old rickenbacker with custom pickups and its really edgy and i like to get that in the mix.

i've tried a shure 52 on the bass and wasnt convinced - but i really liked an old D112 on there, an in house guy lent me one in Germany and it sounded quite tight.