#1682793 - 07/07/05 07:34 AM
Recording bass guitar
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chords
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Registered: 09/27/04
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Do most people record bass guitar directly thru the imputs of the
Zoom? Are they pleased with the sound? Does anybody use a DI box to
record bass thru and are they neccessary to get the bass sounding its
best? Does anybody record bass with microphone on an amplifier? Does
anybody use amplifier and di box simultanulesly? Does anybody use the
Zoom built in bass? I'm planning on getting a bass guitar for my rock
songs and would like to know the best way to record it. Anybody
reccomend a good beginning bass?
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#1682794 - 07/07/05 09:44 AM
Re: Recording bass guitar
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d gauss
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Originally posted by chords:
Do most people record bass guitar directly thru the imputs of the Zoom?
-d. gauss
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#1682795 - 07/07/05 09:51 AM
Re: Recording bass guitar
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jackcheez
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Registered: 06/27/05
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Loc: Long Beach CA
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Yes, yes, yes, yes and yes. You've got to try stuff. There are tons of good beginning basses out there. Try some of them. Personally, when I'm working on a project, I'll take every bass I have and plug them into every preamp I have until something sweet stops me. I can't emphasize this enough...there is no substitute for trying stuff. If anybody tells you what to do, try it. Then you be the judge.
_________________________
Institute Of Musical Misbehavior
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#1682796 - 07/07/05 03:29 PM
Re: Recording bass guitar
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Funkwave
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If you want a fat, thick sound before it hits your zoom pre's, try the SansAmp bass driver. It looks like a pedal but is really a sweet DI.
Go XLR out of the driver to XLR in on your Zoom.
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#1682797 - 07/07/05 03:57 PM
Re: Recording bass guitar
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Philip O'Keefe
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I've had several clients come in with the SansAmp bass rigs, and I was generally pleased with their sound. A good DI box is also an option ( Radial Engineering makes some very good ones), as is a mic on the bass amp cabinet, or a combo of the two (mixed to one track, or better yet, each printed to seperate tracks... although that might not be a wise option if you're using a Zoom HDR with a limited track count). You can also use a mic pre with a DI input and print that. Lots of options... but none of them will "rawk your world" if the bass itself (and the player) isn't "happening". 
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#1682798 - 07/07/05 07:52 PM
Re: Recording bass guitar
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where02190
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Typically I record bass direct through a tube pre (usually an HHB Radius 10) and a distressor> when mixodwn time comes, using a reamp interface , I dial in then record a mic'd amp sound, through a 62 Ampeg B-15, usually with an AKG C-4000B in omni, or a Rode NTK. I then nudge the mic'd track back to time align with the DI. Often I then mute the DI and never use it, but occaisionally I'll belend it with the mic'd track, it really depends on the music. Sometimes it's the other way round, and I skip the mic track.
The key to using mic and DI is making sure both are in proper phase AND time alignment.
_________________________
Hope this is helpful. NP Recording Studios Analog approach to digital recording.
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#1682799 - 07/08/05 03:15 AM
Re: Recording bass guitar
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Zand
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Registered: 07/04/05
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I record my basses usually through a TLA tube channel. But I have to say that recording directly into the Hi-Z input of my AW4416 gives excellent results as well. So if your Zoom has a Hi-Z guitar/bass input, give it a try. On the other hand, especially for less than experienced bassists and slappers, a bit of compression might be advicable on the way in.
If you still have to get a bass: a Fender Jazz or Precision will always work for recording!
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#1682800 - 07/08/05 06:40 AM
Re: Recording bass guitar
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Sp3nc3r
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My typical electric bass recording set-up looks like this:
Bass -> Avalon U5 -> Focurite Octopre (if the Neve 1073 is unavailable). This works well for direct recording.
If I'm able to rig an amp, I come out of the "thru" on the U5 -> killer bass rig of choice (often, for me, it's the Mesa Boogie 400+ we have at the studio) -> 15" cab that's mic'd with an e602 or an e609 Sennheiser. The mic feeds whatever pre I've decided to use.
Cheers!
Spencer
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"I prefer to beat my opponents the old-fashioned way....BRUTALLY!!!!"
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#1682801 - 07/08/05 07:55 AM
Re: Recording bass guitar
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miroslav
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The last few tunes, I've been using pretty much the same signal path.
I have a couple of these 2-channel LA Audio pre-amps/DIs...and the bass just sounds FANTASTIC using the DIs.
I either go Bass-DI-tape...or I may also throw a Comp in the path, if the Bass lines happen to have erratic dynamics, as can happen sometimes if you are moving all over the neck, low/hi strings.
I only have two Bass guitars that I personally use when I record...an Ibanez Blazer from the late 70s...and an Epi Thunderbird.
The Ibanez has a single PU about middle of the way...and I have some heavier flatwounds on it.
The Epi is a 2-PU rig, and that has med-heavy roundwounds.
With the signal path I am using...the Bass guitars come through in all their glory, and I can get just about any kind of Bass sound I want.
I've found no reason to play the Bass through a cab and mic it.
This setup I have is just too easy...it takes me about 2 minutes to set up when I record Bass guitar! 
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miroslav - miroslavmusic.com"Just because it happened to you, it doesn't mean it's important."
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#1682802 - 07/08/05 08:33 AM
Re: Recording bass guitar
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Funkwave
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Miroslav, What type of flats would you recommend for my Fender active jazz?? I'm trying to get some Motown thump on a few tunes and the rounds just can't compare. Also, would I have to re-setup the action? Since I don't have 2 basses, I would like to be able to switch strings back and fourth if possible.
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#1682803 - 07/08/05 08:58 AM
Re: Recording bass guitar
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miroslav
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I honestly can't remember which brand of flats are on it now...?
But I'm going to say that they are Fender strings.
The gauges are: 55-70-90-105
When I put the flatwounds on...I did do a basic bridge/intonation adjustment...that's all.
As far as going back and forth between flat and round...
Even though I have two Bass guitars with different kinds of stings...5 out of 7 times...I will use the Ibanez with the flatwounds...and I just change my right-hand position...either above, over or below the PU...and I can get all kinds of great tones.
Also...I generally prefer the flatwound sound for Bass...and not just for funk/jazz.
I do mostly rock/pop stuff, with a 60's/70's flavor.
Straightforward guitar sounds...nice punchy and beefy drums...and that big fat "thhhhhump" kind of bass. 
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miroslav - miroslavmusic.com"Just because it happened to you, it doesn't mean it's important."
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#1682804 - 07/08/05 09:16 AM
Re: Recording bass guitar
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Funkwave
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Sounds cool.. I would probably have to still switch strings considering I have many tunes with slap bass. I'm assuming the flats wouldn't cut through for that.
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#1682805 - 07/08/05 09:22 AM
Re: Recording bass guitar
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Philip O'Keefe
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Funkwave, IMO swapping between strings on one bass all the time is too much of a hassle... you need a second bass. I can make you a great deal on a used Ibanez SR300... Looks good, plays great - it would be a good bass to dedicate to flatwounds.  I bought a used SR1100 that I really love, and I want to get a Hofner copy, so I'm looking to sell the other Ibanez. Spam? Yeah, I know it is... maybe I should have the moderator ban me. 
Seriously, if you're interested in hearing more, drop me a PM. 
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#1682806 - 07/08/05 09:35 AM
Re: Recording bass guitar
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d gauss
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i have both flatwounds and roundwounds on my bass at the same time (and set of gut strings just for good measure). saves a lot of time, but it's a bitch to play.....
-d. gauss
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#1682807 - 07/08/05 09:46 AM
Re: Recording bass guitar
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Funkwave
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#1682808 - 07/08/05 09:51 AM
Re: Recording bass guitar
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Funkwave
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Shame on you Phil, you spammer
Seriously, I will research that bass and get back to you if interested. I know a used P bass will cost me some bucks but would sound sweeeeeet with flats for that THUMP.
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#1682809 - 07/08/05 09:59 AM
Re: Recording bass guitar
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Funkwave
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BTW Phil I once did a demo on an SR series bass (don't remember if it was SR 100 or 200). What a lightning fast neck!!
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#1682811 - 07/09/05 12:27 AM
Re: Recording bass guitar
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where02190
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Originally posted by RicBassGuy: Originally posted by where02190: Typically I record bass direct through a tube pre (usually an HHB Radius 10) and a distressor> when mixodwn time comes, using a reamp interface , I dial in then record a mic'd amp sound, through a 62 Ampeg B-15, usually with an AKG C-4000B in omni, or a Rode NTK.
(a) you prefer the mic'd rig sound,
(b) you don't have a good amp sim, or
(c) there is no such thing as a good amp sim?
(I gave chords my advice on the Lowdown, where he double-posted.)
However to answer all 3 questions, Yes I prefer the real deal, no I don't have a simulator and never will because no I do not like the sound of any of them. Give em a DI right off the bass, and through the reamp when mixing to the ampeg, and I'll get any bass sound I or the client wants.
_________________________
Hope this is helpful. NP Recording Studios Analog approach to digital recording.
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#1682812 - 07/09/05 07:19 AM
Re: Recording bass guitar
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Bill@Welcome Home Studios
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Yeah, I finally got rid of my 60s Ampeg fliptop and the Danelectro/Silvertone single 15 inch 60s bass amp. Why? My brother the bass player took over the studio, and he has more amps and basses than Guitar Center.
People can get real nuts about minutae, but I like a good bass, taken direct, mixed with the sound of a good rig (and which rig depends upon the type of music being recorded) miced with a good mic. (at LEAST a Sennheiser 421 EV RE-20, or like that....)
I've, in a pinch, used MIDI triggered sample player basses, and found that the way to get them to sound something close to a real bass was to send them through one of my bass amps and mic them.
None of this matters if the bass or the player sucks. As one semi-famous fellow said at a seminar last year about this time....." ...and a bass guitar has four strings, and says 'Fender' on the headstock....")
Bill
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"...it's easier than hitting the kids, and almost as much fun..."
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