Sean Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 Hi folks, I'm going into the studio in two weeks and I'm wondering if anyone's got any tips on recording a 400+. I'm using my 2024 plugged in to it with no effects and it'll be sitting atop a Big Twin 2. So far the plan is to hook it up to a BF Big Twin 2, drive the power section as hard as possible and mic it with an SM57. This came from the guy recording us, he doesn't like DI or sims just real rigs. Anyone got any handy hints? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassman Steve Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 Much as though your man might hate it, I always like to mix a mic and DI so I would ask to do the same - it's about what you want and you might be pleasantly surprised at what you get. I have to say (looking at your sig) I'd be tempted to mic and DI the Walkabout. You have a 12" version of my rig (15" Walkabout and 2x15 cab) and I got superb sounds with the Walkabout mic'd and DI'd - and less to carry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 [quote name='Bassman Steve' timestamp='1394400803' post='2391089'] Much as though your man might hate it, I always like to mix a mic and DI so I would ask to do the same [/quote] Yep, you don't have to print it to the final mix but it makes sense to track the DI. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tayste_2000 Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 Yeah don't just use a sm57, if you do use it grab a DI signal as well as you'll be lacking in the low end with just a 57. Electro voice re-20 is the best I've heard a bass amp recorded, else Heil PR-40 so see if he's got one of them knocking around (unlikely if he's opting for a 57) Also remember it's your bass sound not the producers, I say this because it sounds you're recording your band and not sessioning. He might know best, but then again he might just be a guy who bought some software and is now an expert, I leave it up to you to make that assessment of him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myke Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 [quote name='tayste_2000' timestamp='1394401539' post='2391104'] Electro voice re-20 is the best I've heard a bass amp recorded [/quote] My favourite! And I agree with everyone else. Go with DI aswell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted March 10, 2014 Author Share Posted March 10, 2014 [quote name='Bassman Steve' timestamp='1394400803' post='2391089'] Much as though your man might hate it, I always like to mix a mic and DI so I would ask to do the same - it's about what you want and you might be pleasantly surprised at what you get. I have to say (looking at your sig) I'd be tempted to mic and DI the Walkabout. You have a 12" version of my rig (15" Walkabout and 2x15 cab) and I got superb sounds with the Walkabout mic'd and DI'd - and less to carry. [/quote] Hmmm, I might have to try this on one track just to see how good it is; I've got lots of time. Carrying gear's not an issue so there's no restriction other than how much I can put in the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted March 10, 2014 Author Share Posted March 10, 2014 (edited) [quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1394401416' post='2391099'] Yep, you don't have to print it to the final mix but it makes sense to track the DI. [/quote] [quote name='tayste_2000' timestamp='1394401539' post='2391104'] Yeah don't just use a sm57, if you do use it grab a DI signal as well as you'll be lacking in the low end with just a 57. Electro voice re-20 is the best I've heard a bass amp recorded, else Heil PR-40 so see if he's got one of them knocking around (unlikely if he's opting for a 57) Also remember it's your bass sound not the producers, I say this because it sounds you're recording your band and not sessioning. He might know best, but then again he might just be a guy who bought some software and is now an expert, I leave it up to you to make that assessment of him. [/quote] Thanks, guys. Apparently the mics are Rode NT1A. I'll do the mic + DI and see what it comes out like and as Chris says, it may or may not make it to the final mix. Either way, I'll post to Soundcloud so you can hear. The guy's been recording for years and I've recorded there before albeit a very rushed job with a DI box. When I spoke to him, he had a "whatever you want to do..." attitude and he's a very helpful chap. [url="https://www.facebook.com/pages/RedRock-Studios/102248616530910"]https://www.facebook...102248616530910[/url] I'm quite excited as it's the first time I've been in the studio with an originals band for twenty years Edited March 10, 2014 by Sean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tayste_2000 Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 It can be very enjoyable recording however you want I just always take a better safe than sorry approach to it all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HotelEcho Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 Recording big scary valve amps? Why not go straight to one of the masters: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dr7BjkogoMw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted March 14, 2014 Author Share Posted March 14, 2014 Interesting discussion with Alex C the other night about recording my 400+ and he covered a couple of points that I'd not thought of. With many of the BF cabs they're completely transparent and don't colour the sound so micing the cab won't be dissimilar from DI-ing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted March 14, 2014 Author Share Posted March 14, 2014 I'm going to take my Matamp 212 with me and mic that to see what the difference is. It's loaded with a pair of Eminence Delta Pro 12A drivers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassman Steve Posted March 15, 2014 Share Posted March 15, 2014 There's a Polish Queen site where you can download the 24 track multi's for many Queen tracks. Have a listen to Bohemian Rhapsody where you have a DI, a mic'd Acoustic 301 (presumably through an Acoustic 370) and a mic'd 4x12 (presumably through a 100w Hiwatt). You can solo these in any combination and you'll see exactly what we're saying. The difference between DI and cab is startling. It certainly leads me to raise a single eyebrow (if I could) at Alex's suggestion regarding the BF cab. I wonder if he has evidence of this any more than I can prove that I just don't see that at all. Taking the feed straight off the bass won't have the amp colouration for a start, so I have to respectfully dismiss what he's saying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassman Steve Posted March 15, 2014 Share Posted March 15, 2014 Here's the link - [url="http://wewillrockyou.pl/download/queen-multitracks/"]http://wewillrockyou.pl/download/queen-multitracks/[/url] Some very intersting stuff there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted March 15, 2014 Author Share Posted March 15, 2014 [quote name='Bassman Steve' timestamp='1394876617' post='2396147'] Here's the link - [url="http://wewillrockyou.pl/download/queen-multitracks/"]http://wewillrockyou.pl/download/queen-multitracks/[/url] Some very intersting stuff there. [/quote] I'll have a look at those when I get home. What file format and what do you need to play them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassman Steve Posted March 15, 2014 Share Posted March 15, 2014 Not sure of the format but they recommend Audacity, which is free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted March 22, 2014 Author Share Posted March 22, 2014 So, we recorded today and what we did was to put a mic on each speaker of the Matamp 2x12 and also run a line out of the DI. It sounds really hefty and you can easily hear that it's a big valve amp but the power section isn't as hot as I'd have liked. The problem was that the Boogie is so powerful that at anything past 7 through the cab it was interfering with the fabric of the building and causing all sorts of sympathetic vibrations. I used my Valenti with flats on one song and my 2024 with half-wounds on the other two. I'll post the recordings when they come back from mixing and mastering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 [quote name='Bassman Steve' timestamp='1394875072' post='2396134'] There's a Polish Queen site where you can download the 24 track multi's for many Queen tracks. Have a listen to Bohemian Rhapsody where you have a DI, a mic'd Acoustic 301 (presumably through an Acoustic 370) and a mic'd 4x12 (presumably through a 100w Hiwatt). You can solo these in any combination and you'll see exactly what we're saying. The difference between DI and cab is startling. It certainly leads me to raise a single eyebrow (if I could) at Alex's suggestion regarding the BF cab. I wonder if he has evidence of this any more than I can prove that I just don't see that at all. Taking the feed straight off the bass won't have the amp colouration for a start, so I have to respectfully dismiss what he's saying. [/quote] I'd assume he meant a post-EQ DI off the amp rather than a DI straight from the bass to the desk. Still, not convinced even Barefaced would be [i]that[/i] transparent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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