Having trouble getting a great sound from your bass recording? Read these recoding tips for recording bass and you’re sure to maximize the end result you’re looking for.DIRECT RECORDING FOR BASS

The preferred way to record bass guitar is direct and specifically through a direct box. This approach usually gives you the best sound and if you use an active direct box you also get the advantage of the possibility of more low end punch. Types of direct boxes The 2 types of direct boxes are the more common passive direct box which transforms the high-impedance output into a low-impedance signal which can be run through the mic input (XLR) of the mixer.

The second type is the active direct box that contains signal enhancing circuitry and matches impedance. Active direct boxes usually have more low end punch.

Line input of mixer

One big advantage of recording bass directly into the line input of the mixer is that you can eliminate a circuit. The theory being that the more circuits you add to a signal, potentially, the more noise and more distortion. You should always attempt to use the fewest number of circuits in the signal path while still achieving the sound you’re looking for. The problem with going direct is you lose some control over the volume level which could be a problem if you have a bass with weak pickups. A stock bass pickup is likely to produce a weak signal as are many older model basses. When you are running a bass with a low-level signal direct you may run into an insufficient line level if you’re mixer operates at +4 dBm. Then again the same bass may work fine in a mixer with an operation level of -10 dBV.

Final Tips *

If you have a stock early model bass it’s a good idea to try a passive or active direct box with the volume on the bass set at maximum. * If the bass you’re recording has active pickups (EMG, Seymour Duncan, etc) you may want to try going right into the input of the mixer. You may still want to try using a DI box, passive or active, but you may have to paly with the volume levels to avoid overdriving the signal.

FOR MORE RECORDING TIPS, VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.kompressorstudios.com

Paul is the owner/operator of Kompressor Studios, located just outside of Columbus, OH and has over 25 years experience in the music industry.
Visit our website http://www.kompressorstudios.com