Help with Bass DI?

TelePaul

Hey guys,

I'm using the line-in on my cheap firewire interface to record a bass (Danelectro '63 re-issue). I'm looking a less sterile bass sound, as it sounds a bit tinny as is. I have some T-Racks plug-ins, and I use their Classic EQ with with either a cheap outboard comp or the T Racks Fairchild knock off....but I'm wondering if I should maybe use the line out from my bass amp instead or even mic the amp?

The DI sound is just too sterile sounding and I would like to give it a boost. I have a huge number of guitar pedals and I was thinking of using a guitar OD to just give the bass some grit. I know this question is lacking in specifics but any observations or suggestions would be really welcome.

ZV Yoda

Have you tried using amp sims? I use Amplitube. While I'm sure there's better stuff out there, I find it does a great job bringing a DI bass to life. I think they have some free demos available on their site.

Only thing I'd say about IK's stuff is that it seems to be fairly CPU intensive.

SeanHurley

I have been using Softube's Bass Amp Room http://softube.se/bass_amp_room.php a lot lately and getting good results. I have this ages and while I liked it at first I never was able to make it work for me. But I took a bit of time learning the plugin and really is quite useful.

Do try recording a DI and mic your amp then bled the two (keeping an eye on phase issues).

I also find if you duplicate you DI and send it to the sans amp plugin you get free with Pro Tools its great for adding a bit of grit (good for rockier sort of stuff).

Compressor wise, I use either Waves CLA-76, UAD dbx 160, UAD Neve 33609 or if I really want to pin it down Massey L2007.

madtheory

Check the specifications of the line input you're using. If it's less than 1M ohm input impedance, it's too low. That would be the cause of the thin bass sound. Are you sure the bass amp has an actual line ouput? I don't know of any that do- usually there's a headphone output and a DI output (which is intended to feed a mic input).

You should be able to get the sound you want using a good DI and an amp sim. The Amplitube Ampeg is very good.

TelePaul

madtheory wrote: »

Check the specifications of the line input you're using. If it's less than 1M ohm input impedance, it's too low. That would be the cause of the thin bass sound. Are you sure the bass amp has an actual line ouput? I don't know of any that do- usually there's a headphone output and a DI output (which is intended to feed a mic input).

You should be able to get the sound you want using a good DI and an amp sim. The Amplitube Ampeg is very good.

Oooh good points, I guess I need to brush up on my terminology. It's a DI output. That's good to know, I'd have fed that to a line-level input. Good points all round, maybe I'll try a sim or download a trial.

Thanks guys!

TelePaul

madtheory wrote: »

if it's less than 1M ohm input impedance, it's too low.

Just checked - the guitar input has an impedance of 1Mega OHM. Thanks!