recording the bass guitar

noobieguitarist · #1 April 28th, 2006

ok just got my bass and an amp but i am curious...will it record like i did the acoustic or will the amp distort the sound to the mic? do i need any special connections to tie the guitar into the computer or do i need to wire it to the amp and then wire the amp to the computer HELP lol

Rockerbob · #2 April 28th, 2006

I record bass direct into the mixing board almost always. I like to get the raw sound of the bass so I can work with it when mixing, although the raw bass sound is frrequently good the way it is. I do usually add some compression to the bass tracks on mixdown, but I tend to have a compressor on every track, some more some less.

noobieguitarist · #3 April 28th, 2006

ok try that in english i am just using audacity to recrord from a headset mic just didn't know if i needed to plug the guitar into the computer is some way

Rockerbob · #4 April 28th, 2006

If you try to record with just a computer mic and a built in sound card, you are facing lots of frustration. It can work, but you are a lot better off if you get some type of audio input made for music recording. Then I would plug my bass right into one of the inputs on this device.

nocat · #5 April 28th, 2006

I agree with RB, although you can plug your instrument directly to the Line In on your
sound card, it's always a good idea to be able to control the signal before it gets there.
A cheap mixer is probably the most economical way to do this. Not only does it give you
the ability to control parameters like Trim, High and Low EQ, Pan and Fade, but also
makes it easy to switch instruments...!!!
As far as the bass. Using a condenser mic to record the sound from your bass amp will
probably yield poor results... Like RB said, record your bass directly into your PC, keeping
the sound as clean as possible, and then EQ it and compress it in Audacity to achieve
the sound you want...!!!

Cheers
Ben

noobieguitarist · #6 April 28th, 2006

i bought something similar to a dubbing cable that allows up to 2 instruments to connect to the computer or i can connect to the computer and an amp instead of head phones. it is a Proel RCA cable and seems to work wonderfully

737blues · #7 April 29th, 2006

I've been thinking about getting a Bass or a keyboard for making BT's and so I'll take that advice from you guys about getting a mixer too.. any major things to avoid when buying the mixer? Know zilch about them.

Lcjones · #8 April 30th, 2006

I'd really think about getting a small console. They can be had from about $50.00US and up from any number of places on the net.... or your local music shop. ( jmho

) Oh. And get a couple extra patch cables just to have handy.

lc

CanuckTodd · #9 May 1st, 2006

I found a helpful tip about adding a bass line in Audacity. The same trick might work with other recording software, I don't know.
I'm not sure how well it works, I tried it a couple of times and it sounded ok.

But if you record the bass line with your regular guitar, then go to the effects menu and use the pitch scaler to lower the pitch by 50%, it ends up sounding (kind of) like a bass guitar.
You'll never get a true bass sound, but for jazzing up a tune, it might suit your purposes.
The real musicians and recording experts here will likely wince reading that, but if you can't afford to buy a bass guitar... what the heck!

If you scroll down the link below you'll find the information.

http://www.agnula.org/documentation/...ials/audacity/

LADSPA Hint: If you have a guitar but no bass guitar, and you need to lay down a solid bass groove, just record the bass line from your guitar then use Steve Harris's excellent LADSPA pitch scaler to drop the guitar's pitch by 50%. Voila, instant bass ! This effect works particularly well with an acoustic guitar but can be used with an electric just as well.

fly135 · #10 May 4th, 2006

I have a Behringer mixer that is cheap and does a great job of getting your signals up to snuff for feeding into the computer. This is the cheapest at $50...

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...ers?sku=631238

I recommend spending the extra $10 and getting the 1002. It has a line in/out feature that makes it a bit more versatile.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...ers?sku=631237

The one I have is the 1002FX model and has the ability to add some effects like reverb into the mix. The FX is handy for the extra $20.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product?sku=631256

Finally if you wanna stay cheap and get 4 low level inputs then consider....

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...ers?sku=631236

The small price differences and the added features can nickle and dime you up, but that the fun of buying cool stuff cheap

.