Recording Electric Bass -- straight into Ultraite-mk4 or use a DI before?

[rp88.2]

Hi:

Moving into some territory that is new for me. Planning to record some electric bass riffs for a project.

What is the general consensus if I am adding effects/sculpting the sound 'in the box' -- should I record the bass plugged directly into the Ultralite-mk4 or should I use a DI designed for bass (like the SansAmp) before?

This may be a 'preference issue', but I am looking for some insight/recommendations from those that have done/do this on a more regular basis. Thank you!

Best regards,

Rich

[mikehalloran]

Try both. I did a lot of studio work over the years.

If an active bass, I always went direct and still do through the CombiJack. I liked DI boxes with passive basses but there’s no hard rule. Try it both ways — if it sounds good, it is good.

[bayswater]

Trying both is good, but recording both at once is better. Then you can decide later, or mix the two. I never found one of them always better than the other.

[mhschmieder]

As someone who stopped using active basses 6-8 years ago or more, I can only speak to passive basses (though I find straight-into-the-interface fine for active basses), but my own opinions are quite in opposition to current norms, as I have recently moved to room mics only (mid-distance and far-distance), no on-the-cabinet mics, and DI only for emergency re-amping (though maybe I'll use a touch of it in the mix).

Having said that, I strongly recommend ACTIVE DI only (not Passive DI) for passive basses, as there's way more headroom. Preferably off the mains vs. 48V phantom or 500-series racks. I recently upgraded from the Radial PZ-DI (48V phantom) to their new (and huge!) JDV Mk V. A gigantic upgrade, which I didn't expect as the feature set is similar. But even so, I get better sound still from the DI on my Mesa Prodigy bass amp head.

[mikehalloran]

As someone who stopped using active basses 6-8 years ago or more, I can only speak to passive basses (though I find straight-into-the-interface fine for active basses), but my own opinions are quite in opposition to current norms, as I have recently moved to room mics only (mid-distance and far-distance), no on-the-cabinet mics, and DI only for emergency re-amping (though maybe I'll use a touch of it in the mix).

Having said that, I strongly recommend ACTIVE DI only (not Passive DI) for passive basses, as there's way more headroom. Preferably off the mains vs. 48V phantom or 500-series racks. I recently upgraded from the Radial PZ-DI (48V phantom) to their new (and huge!) JDV Mk V. A gigantic upgrade, which I didn't expect as the feature set is similar. But even so, I get better sound still from the DI on my Mesa Prodigy bass amp head.

I have no problem with any of that.

The only way I like to record an upright bass is in a small church with a ribbon 10’–15’ away. Everyone else can do that up-close multi-mic sound that doesn’t sound like any bass I’ve ever heard live. No thanks!

[mhschmieder]

Good point on the upright! I'll keep that in mind once I get my upright bass to the east coast (or buy a new one that is fully carved vs. hybrid).

[stubbsonic]

It might be useful to give a heads up about what to listen for, in the comparison.

As far as the tonal shape, I listen for what that low-mid and low sounds like-- is it muddy? or clear? How much top is there, and whether or not it is "useful" top?

Do you lose some dynamic response with the DI vs straight in?

[rp88.2]

Thank you all very much for the replies!!

I have some good places to start and what to listen for-- very helpful!

FYI, ordered a Radial JDI and will compare to straight in. I wanted to avoid a combo DI and effects box, for now.

Thank you all again!!

Rich

[bayswater]

FYI, ordered a Radial JDI and will compare to straight in.

That's what I've had for years. You can use the Thru to record other paths at the same time, but I've usually ended up just recording the JDI output.

[mhschmieder]

Good choice, great bang-for-buck, and a nice starting point for learning about bass guitar recording, even if you mate it to a passive bass.

One thing I failed to mention is that these boxes change the sound of the bass in most circumstances, when splitting the signal, which is why I stopped using them in the studio. Even the expensive JDV Mk V, which has an adjustment to try to get back closer to the original input impedance before going out to the amp. The problem is that there are other factors, cable length, etc. I'm not sure it's possible to get EXACTLY the same sound from the through jack of a DI compared to plugging directly into an amp.

This is likely why I get better DI sound from my Mesa Prodigy head (preferably before the pre-amp stage; both options are available) than from a carefully adjusted Radial JDV. VERY few bass amps have good enough DI's to use for critical applications. SWR's were the worst I ever used. Mesa puts extra effort into theirs. The ones on their guitar amps are also quite good.

You are not likely to run into the level of critical listening and refinement that I am talking about though, as a relative newbie. Your main focus is going to be learning how to make room for the kick drums when shaping the sound, whether and how to apply compression (perhaps side-chain parallel compression) in the mix, achieving the best low-mid punch (often related to playing technique and choice of strings), etc.

For live purposes, the passive JDI is a safer bet anyway than the JDV; fewer things for FOH or other "not under your command" people to mess up.

[rp88.2]

Thanks again for all tips!

Good information, if I end up recording bass in a more 'critical mode' where the 'natural' bass sound takes center stage. For now, it is for some creative production projects.

Y'all have a great week!