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What the hell is going on?
1) I’ve sold some basses, including the active jazz (Cliff Bordwell) that I’ve used for many a demo on here. I’m going to grab another jazz style bass for demos, but moving down-market a bit since I really only use the Jazz for demos on here. I may go with a passive instrument (I personally prefer them) and active bass stuff will be covered with the MTD that has been seen in recent videos.
2) I’m going to use some cash to buy a mic better suited for recording amplified bass since these are now a consistent part of the video features, feel free to hit me with recommendations. I will make a decision in the coming weeks. I’ve been using an SM58 that I bought for recording vocals.
3) I’m considering selling my sovtek/schroeder and moving to something a little more small and light. I found that in my last band (of which I am no longer in), I wouldn’t take it to practice because it was too damn heavy. What’s the point of having an amp I’m not willing to haul to practice? Much of core of bass amplification has moved on to smaller solid state equipment, so in some ways I think demos will actually benefit from using something a little more standard. I’m thinking of a newer neo combo from GK. No movement or actual decisions on this yet though.
4) I’ll update my equipment pages when all that gets settled down.
5) I’m backing off of general dirt and filter reviews for now, and I just plan on doing demonstration videos for that stuff. Fuzz reviews will continue as usual with full photo logs, opinions, and scores.
6) Smoke if you got ‘em
I would not use an amp/cab/mic setup.
This will only add a fixed “colour” to the tone…no matter what the combination.
Stay the direct to computer route.
Any good audio Interface will be quite neutral.
Comment by Normand Dionne — September 24, 2009 @ 1:29 pm
No worries, direct isn’t going away. It’s not an either/or situation. I just want to improve the quality of the mic work that I’m current doing.
Comment by grygrx — September 24, 2009 @ 1:31 pm
A “middle of the road” test rig would probably be best for most of your readers, but I’ll still only listen to the amplified tests with a grain of salt.
I carry a Shure Beta 52 (kick drum mic) with me for shows, that way I don’t get stuck with a SM57 or something. Although…I actually like the way they sound for some bass applications. I vary my cabinets so much live that I can’t really say what I use. On any night it could be a 4×10″, an 8×10″, a 2×15″ (or two), a 1×15″, a 2×10″+1×18″, or some combination thereof. I use a couple of Mesa Bass 400s, which sound a little bit different than some micro solid-state deal.
I’m a believer in your DI test rig, myself. It’s about as color-free as you can hope for in an internet audio sample setup. I picked up a Radial box after hearing your clean samples.
Comment by the non-rapping JZ — September 24, 2009 @ 4:35 pm
The Shure Beta 52
Comment by Anonymous — September 24, 2009 @ 9:29 pm
Try an EV RE-20 or a Heil PR-40 for mic’ing a bass speaker. I wouldn’t recommend kick drum mics, they just get too muddy for my taste, they definitely colour the sound. Have a look for a really good quality dynamic mic (like the EV or Heil).
I’d still like to see dirt/filter demos, even if they don’t have a full write up review to go with them.
Comment by AJ — September 25, 2009 @ 2:37 am
I’d not go for a GK, their cabs sound super harsh with too much distortion I find.
that is my opinion, take/leave it. Markbass has some good offerings. little pricey, but there are definite balls.
Comment by the humanity — September 28, 2009 @ 11:34 pm
After doing a bunch of reading I ordered a Heil Sound PR-40 today.
Comment by grygrx — September 29, 2009 @ 2:42 pm