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Post by donmcbass on Sept 25, 2007 18:25:50 GMT 1
looking for tips on recording bass,
I'm a live bassist, but am experimenting recording on my PC based Studio and find that although the direct tone of my bass (expensive 5-string Yamaha brute with Piezo bridge) is awesome, I find fret noise a real pain. (Not the usual when action too low- Its raised just above comfort- but more of an HF fizzy noise when fretting) Obvious solution is to bring my Trace GP12SMX home (ultimate processor) but I wonder if other (smaller) gadgetsor tips are out there.
Yes guys, I need to alter the way I play due to the more sensitive media. A note for non-bassists recording us would-be musos, watch out for them over pulling the strings. I tend to pull too hard- a bad live rockin' habit. We really can't hear ourselves clearly- the price of using typcally long-throw bass cabs I suppose.
;D
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Phil
Senior Engineer
Posts: 178
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Post by Phil on Sept 25, 2007 18:44:19 GMT 1
what software you using. Cubase?
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Post by donmcbass on Sept 25, 2007 18:45:42 GMT 1
Not that rich yet,
Cubasis (same engine I suppose)
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Phil
Senior Engineer
Posts: 178
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Post by Phil on Sept 25, 2007 20:01:43 GMT 1
Does it have no effects in etc?
I know cubase sx3's effects are spot on.
Tried taking a DI out from your bass head or micing amp or the neck of bass?
You could try using a graphic in or something and notching out the crud like the fret noise etc.
Take it its an acoustic bass yeh?
I find when I record bass into my tracks I dont need much effects, just minor eq adjustment. I find the active pickups work wonders on my music man - I know thats not an acoustic but it might help.
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Post by donmcbass on Sept 26, 2007 0:15:38 GMT 1
Thanks Phil,
I'm just being lazy as I had been hoping to avoid bringing the amp into house (studio in living room!)
My plan however for a serious project is to take the DI out of the Trace Elliot GP12 SMX (has valve and 12 band EQ with a parametric shift plus separate high &low compressors) on one channel, Mic my Ashdown mini 4x8 with a C1000S (unbelievable bottom end for 4 8" drivers (with dual rear ports)) for that extra high-mid tightness.
The Bass is a (SOLID- weighs a tonne) Yamaha TRB5P (original) with P&J+ 5 piezos in bridge.
Cubasis only has two EQ on each channel, but I could always pull the track into Wavelab Light (awesome editor for price- came free with SoundBlaster) (wat a lazee boy I am)
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Post by donmcbass on Sept 26, 2007 0:17:46 GMT 1
Hey!
wots with the Tea boy bit!! I can make coffee too!!
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Post by ian hasell on Sept 26, 2007 7:21:44 GMT 1
I only drink tea (milk no sugar) I hope you can also fetch biscuits  Ian |
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Phil
Senior Engineer
Posts: 178
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Post by Phil on Sept 26, 2007 22:47:30 GMT 1
Just looked the bass up, nice!
So what project are doing at the moment? All around musican and multitracking everything in?
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Post by donmcbass on Oct 1, 2007 20:57:23 GMT 1
Hi Phil,
My projects at the mo are my own compositions, I was taught Piano originally but bought a guitar when 18, bought Bass at 19 with some remarks relating guitar to a game of soldiers. Have since upped my guitar skills and recorded a piece where I did th "Prince" and recorded all the instruments (oops, just managed to blow my own horn, but forgot to press "record").
The recording studio is my latest instrument and I enjoy mucking about 'til I find what works. As I am a jack-of -all-trades instrumentally, I want to use my ideas on masters of theirs.
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Post by donmcbass on Oct 1, 2007 20:59:13 GMT 1
ps,
the Bass is awesome if a bit chunky to handle. Its weight is its strength!!
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lx3
Just looking
Posts: 3
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Post by lx3 on Oct 2, 2007 1:50:30 GMT 1
DI'd bass is usually workable with some compression, and a LPF gently rolling off the high end (above about 4k maybe - adjust to taste). You can do those on playback with plugins. Most people are used to hearing bass thru a 15" driver which reproduces nothing much above 6k. All that buzz and zing can sound nice on its own, but isn't always appropriate "in the track".
You may also find an HPF set down low useful to get rid of any close-to-DC sub-bass stuff that can creep in when DI-ing.
Any remaining rattle is generally down to instrument set up and playing technique. Some people want to hit it like Flea to get as much of that rattle as possible, others want to play clean. Half of Mark King's sound was all about fret buzz!
Beyond eq and compression, some of the amp emulators are good and can inject a bit of reality and grunge into an over-clean bass sound. People rave about the Ampeg SVT plugin from IK Multimedia... I'm not that knocked out by it, but YMMV. NI's Guitar Rig seems more versatile to me and has a couple of bass amp simulations in it. You can download trial versions of both.
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Post by donmcbass on Jan 2, 2008 18:38:53 GMT 1
Update,
Long time in replying, the last post (LX3) fabulous.
I've since acquired an ART Tube MP3 for Christmas which I'm looking forward to playing with (also if I can wrestle my BOSS 4-band para EQ back off my mate, we use it on his VERY dodgy TAKAMINE. That's what he gets for buying the cheap £400 one).
I've lifted the action slightly above comfort and that helps. I think I'll save up for an outboard compressor.
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Post by John Bell on Apr 14, 2008 13:41:07 GMT 1
Hi Donmcbass, I have just recently purchased a LINE 6 Low Down LD300Pro 300w bass combo, for use in my rehearsal studio. It's a superb combo, with some great modeling and a DI output to match.
I recorded Handle With Care's rehearsal on Saturday and they were so impressed with it, they are going to get one to replace their Trace Elliot 715 SMC 150w combo, for live use at their smaller gigs.
My bass player also has the same Trace Elliot model and both our bands have used both, stacked-up at bigger gigs. Looks cool and cruises great.
John.
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