Singer's comments about my bass tone...

[solo4652]

At our last rehearsal, I recorded some songs with my Line 6 Backtrack - the one with the on-board mic. I don't think I had the mic gain set up right and the result were some extremely distorted and, at times, pretty indistinct recordings. Because I said I would, I sent everybody in the band the recordings explaining why the recordings were so poor.

I've just had an email from the singer that included this comment: "The bass sounded a bit too clean. I think you should have some more reverb when we perform so there's more of a groove going."

I've asked her to tell me a bit more about what she feels isn't quite right. I don't use effects at all. Not sure whether reverb would give "more of a groove thing" anyway. Bass is a G&L L2000 generally on both pickups through a Barefaced Compact.

Any thoughts or comments, folks?

Steve

Edited November 24, 2013 by solo4652

[nottswarwick]

That sounds like b*llox to me. Reverb? Nah.

[Machines]

I bet she doesnt know her reverb from a phlanger.

[Dom in Dorset]

Probably just too punchy sounding in the recording for her, just tell you you'll turn up your pitch deviating ecto-phlanging phase disruptortonic doo dah pedal in future and carry on as before.

[bassist_lewis]

Reverb and groove are completely unrelated. Ignorant singer bulls@&t

[Dandelion]

Is not reverb the work of the devil in live work.

[Chrismanbass]

reverb on bass is generally a bad idea as it tends to add to the general muddiness of the sound unless your soloing when it can be a kinda cool effect i would steer well clear if it sounds good to you it might be time to engage your DFA switch

[solo4652]

[quote name='Dom in Somerset' timestamp='1385329361' post='2287071']
Probably just too punchy sounding in the recording for her, just tell you you'll turn up your pitch deviating ecto-phlanging phase disruptortonic doo dah pedal in future and carry on as before.
[/quote]

I've got a Behringer DDI thingy as an emergency back up in case I need to DI straight to the desk. perhaps I could take it along, not plug it in and make a bit of a show of activating the "trans-modulating tone pump".

[Myke]

She probably thinks that Reverb will achieve what she wants your bass to sound like but really it's something else but she doesn't realise it.

[AntLockyer]

Tell her to stop talking sh*t and concentrate on her bit.

[Dom in Dorset]

[quote name='solo4652' timestamp='1385329628' post='2287085']
I've got a Behringer DDI thingy as an emergency back up in case I need to DI straight to the desk. perhaps I could take it along, not plug it in and make a bit of a show of activating the "trans-modulating tone pump".
[/quote]
Be careful not to tear a hole in the space/time continuum.

Edited November 24, 2013 by Dom in Somerset

[discreet]

[quote name='AntLockyer' timestamp='1385329783' post='2287090']
Tell her to stop talking sh*t and concentrate on her bit.
[/quote]

[size=4] Best advice I've read in a long time.[/size]

[solo4652]

[quote name='Myke' timestamp='1385329767' post='2287089']
She probably thinks that Reverb will achieve what she wants your bass to sound like but really it's something else but she doesn't realise it.
[/quote]

Yes - I think you're right. Something about the bass tone on those awful recordings has prompted her to make the comment. I'd like to know why she thinks there's a need for "more of a groove thing" - it suggests that she feels I'm not keeping time or hitting the groove or something. I can ignore the reverb suggestion, but there's something bothering her.

[RhysP]

Does she want you to use Dobly as well?

[LukeFRC]

groove.... she want's more low end and less high mids from you..... in other words - Get your bass out of my vocal range!

[Myke]

[quote name='solo4652' timestamp='1385330060' post='2287099']
Yes - I think you're right. Something about the bass tone on those awful recordings has prompted her to make the comment. I'd like to know why she thinks there's a need for "more of a groove thing" - it suggests that she feels I'm not keeping time or hitting the groove or something. I can ignore the reverb suggestion, but there's something bothering her.
[/quote]

Best plan is to ask

[flyfisher]

If only 'groove' were so simple - we could all just buy the appropriate pedal.

[Ziphoblat]

If she think's that reverb on bass has anything to do with "groove" then she's definitely not qualified to judge what it is that's bothering her about the recording in the first place. She might think that it's the bass, but that doesn't mean that it is. It might just be the quality of the recording.

[Les]

Singers ! can't live with em', can't beat them to death with a piece of 3 be 2.

[Marvin]

note to self: buy a reverb pedal, it'll make me more groovy.

Phew, thank your singer, I didn't know where I was going wrong

Personally, and being slightly serious, reverb doesn't always work that well with bass. If used, use sparingly. However, it'll never make you groove more

Edited November 24, 2013 by Marvin

[ubassman]

[quote name='solo4652' timestamp='1385328315' post='2287043']
"The bass sounded a bit too clean. I think you should have some more reverb when we perform so there's more of a groove going."

[/quote]

Why not try it out? It would show willing to work with her ( even if she completely wrong!) . You may discover a setting that sounds half good or interesting ...or she might hear it and think actually the groove sounds tighter and punchier without the reverb

[solo4652]

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1385330795' post='2287116']
groove.... she want's more low end and less high mids from you..... in other words - Get your bass out of my vocal range!
[/quote]

I've asked her tell me a little more about what she's hearing and what she isn't happy with. Interestingly, the guitarist says he prefers my Fender P to my G&L L2000 because the Fender has "more clank". When I asked him what he meant he said; "The Fender has more presence - more depth". Maybe the singer's hearing something similar. I'll take both bases to next rehearsal and invite comments.

[Dingus]

It's a clear cut case of this :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAF1eELjxzM

[ubassman]

...or maybe a case of this? ! Enjoy !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXlz61gv1Us

Edited November 24, 2013 by ubassman

[3below]

Singer has given some of the best clob (mediaeval building material aka complete load of b****x) I have heard in ages. If you feel constructive / are good friend with singer / like singer / would like to know singer better, ask her to play a song/track where bass has the groove she wants. Otherwise construct suitable answer of own choice.