recording bass guitar/amp

The bass in almost all music acts as the fundamental section that supports the song. The bass guitar can be recorded through Direct Injection or miking up the bass amp. In a nutshell, DI receives signals that are dry, directly right from the guitar itself (clean sound), making it useful for avoiding bleeding and allow more flexibility in the mix. However, the outcome will lack the drive and body that is produced by a bass amp. Therefore, another alternative includes using both DI and miking of bass amp (the DI box will be connected into the input of bass amp, then using mics to record the sound from the amp). So under what circumstances do we need to use a DI? Bass guitars typically have passive pickups, which means they have rather low output signals to be directly plugged into the mixer/interface. DI comes in handy by boosting its low-level signal. There are two variations of DI boxes, one being active and the other being a passive one. An active DI requires an external power source and tend to provide a richer low-end tone while a passive DI would sound more within the mid-range. (Reference: https://reverb.com/news/essential-tips-recording-bass-guitar)

A reference to the range of frequencies to aim for according to different qualities aimed.

Here is a list of ways to record bass guitar:

1) Using only DI box which connects the guitar to the interface -> DAW

- Advantage: Directly receives the clean and dry sound of the bass, more flexibility in mixing stage

2) Miking up the bass amp

- Experimentation with selection of mics & mic placement in order to get the aimed tone and range

- Typically uses dynamic mics (M421 & SM57)

3) DI + Bass amp

- Basically uses DI to help boosting the signal and remaining it authentic and clean

- Recording from the amp on the other hand will give out the edge and bass sound

- One channel required

4) Re-amp

- By recording the clean bass performance using DI with interface first

- Then, use a passive DI connecting it to the amp

- The amp will then be miked up to record the performance

- Mic signals will then be sent back to the mix channel

- 2 tracks recorded in total

EXPERIMENT PLAN

Aim: To test out using the combo of using DI and bass amp with different selection of mics in aim of a tone that stays within the low range.

DI box preference: Radial JDI (Passive Direction Box) because the bass guitar which will be used is an active bass, therefore, no boost of signal is required (active DI).

Mic selection: Sennheiser M421 & SM57