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How to Get a Good Sound When Recording With an Acoustic Bass
Hi everyone, welcome back to this months issue! I thank you for your questions, but all the questions have been the same: “How do I get a good sound when recording my bass?”. I am going to give you a few very basic tips here today. I will start with an acoustic bass. We’ll talk about electric basses next time.
When recording an acoustic bass I generally will use a large diaphragm condenser mic. This will give you a nice and open high end, and a good low end response. There are many mics out there and they vary in price, from $59.00 to $20,000.00! Use what you can afford. The Shure KSM line is a very good one for the money. Try a Shure KSM32 or KSM44. I have made many great recordings using inexpensive mics. Yes, a $10,000.00 Neumann M49 would be a nice choice over a $99.00 Marshall XL2003, but the Marshall will work great too. What is most important is that you have a good sounding bass as a sound source. Remember, if there are ‘problems’ with your instrument, the mic will most likely hear these and will reproduce them in your recording.
I usually place the mic about 12″ to 14″ away from the bridge looking directly at the body of the bass. Just a few inches under where your plucking fingers are. If you find the sound a bit ‘boomy’, then move the mic back a few inches until you get a reduction of the ‘boom’. You will find that the closer you are to the sound source, the more the bottom end will build up. I have noticed in my experience that a high end mic preamp can make a difference in bass recording. I must say that my favorite is a Massenberg/GML mic pre, it does wonders with recording low frequencies.
When recording John Pattatuci a few years back, we used the GML mic pre with a Neumann TLM49 and got a fantastic sound! Don’t worry about ‘finger noise’. That is part of the sound. Also, I would advice against recording with EQ or compression, you can add it later. If you record with it, you are stuck with it.
Have fun! Remember… bottom line, it is about the music!
Bass Videos
Artist Update With Bassist Derek Frank
Bassist Derek Frank…
Many of you will remember the last time I chatted with Derek Frank was back in 2017. The main thing that impressed me was how busy Derek was and how he juggled playing with many huge acts.
Now, I am happy to hear that Derek launched a new album last March titled “Origin Story” where he digs deep into his roots and pays homage to Pittsburg.
Join me as we get caught up after all these years and hear the details about the new album, how Derek gets his sound, and his plans for the future.
Photo, Stephen Bradley
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Visit Online:
www.derekfrank.com
www.instagram.com/derekfrankbass
www.youtube.com/derekfrankbass
www.facebook.com/derekfrankbass
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This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
Check out our top 10 favorite basses on Instagram this week…
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Gear News
New Gear: Alberto Rigoni Signature Bass, the VPR5 by Gaetano Costanzo!
Alberto Rigoni Signature Bass, the VPR5 by Gaetano Costanzo!
Internationally renowned bassist ALBERTO RIGONI (soloist, BAD AS, Vivaldi Metal Project, TwinSpirits, etc.) is proud to announce the release of his signature bass VPR5 made by renowned Italian luthier Gaetano Costanzo!
The bass is entirely handmade in Italy, without the use of CNC or other machinery, and has rather special features. The VPR is a 5-string bass (but also available as a 4-string) with 30 frets, Seymour Duncan pickups, Music Man Alnico style, passive electronics (volume, tone and a switch to select series/parallel/single-coil mode), alder body, and American maple neck and fingerboard. Gotoh tuners that ensure perfect intonation. The bass is totally painted white (nitro finish) but other colors can be requested. The VPR has a weight of about 2.9 kg and suitable for any genre.
For more information contact Gaetanobass77@gmail.com or visit online at www.instagram.com/gaetanocostanzoluthier or www.facebook.com/GaetanoCostanzoLuthier
Bass Videos
Interview With Bassist Graham Stanush
Bassist Graham Stanush…
Return to Dust is keeping Grunge alive and well! They have a new self-titled album that went out on May 3rd, 2024 and will be super busy promoting this project in the near future.
Graham Stanush is the bass powerhouse driving their sound and adding vocals to the mix. Join me as we hear all about Graham’s musical journey, details about the new album, how he gets his sound and their plans for the future.
Featured Videos:
Visit Online:
linktr.ee/returntodust
instagram.com/returntodustband/
twitter.com/Returntodustbnd
youtube.com/@returntodustband
tiktok.com/@returntodustband
Bass Videos
Review: CrystalBright Rombo Picks
CrystalBright Rombo Picks
PR SamplePlaying bass with a pick is still a touchy subject in our community. I believe you should be able to use whatever you need to get your sound. Even though I mostly play with my fingers, I like to check out innovative new picks that might have something new to offer, sonically speaking.
Judith and Carlos from Rombo recently contacted me about a new material called CrystalBright that they have been researching for the last 12 months and offered to send some prototype picks. After trying them out, I put together this video with my findings.
For more info check out @rombopicks
Artist Update With Bassist Derek Frank
String Instrument Humidifiers
Interview With Bassist Graham Stanush
Review: CrystalBright Rombo Picks
