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jack
Platinum Member
USA
1418 Posts |
 Posted - 06/20/2006 : 23:43:48
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Over the past few months, I have acquired enough equipment for my home studio (nothing fancy, just a place to put down ideas), with the exception of a bass guitar set up. So I was wondering if anyone can recommend an affordable yet decent sounding bass set up? I'd like to keep the bass budget at about $250, but the lesser the better. Also I have a few choices based on price that if anyone has any experience would be very helpful. I'm looking at a Dean 09 Edge Playmate, Epiphone EB-O reissue, and a Fender Bronco. The last 2 are a shorter scale bass, so if anyone knows how much of a difference between a regular scale and short scale is, that would be helpful too (mainly wondering if short scale basses sound okay tuned down 1-step). Any info on the previously mentioned basses or suggestions about other basses will be greatly appreciated.
My "studio" is a Tascam 414mkII 4 track, and I have a Shure SM57. I bring that up as a lead into my next question. With that set up, can anyone recommend whether to record bass with a mic or a DI/preamp box? If DI or preamp, any suggesttions? As I have looked a bit into the MXR M-80, Hartke Bass Attack, and Behringer MIC200 preamp, as SansAmp's bass DI is a bit out of my budget right now.
Any suggestions? Thanks. |
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StratoSphere
Double Platinum Member
Canada
2232 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2006 : 02:29:37
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hey jack.. i cant help you much with the gear, but i can give you a small piece of advise. if you play guitar mainly, a shorter scale bass will be easier for you to adapt to. i found the hardest part of going from the guitar to bass wasnt the four strings, but the width of the frets. hope it turns out well  |
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jack
Platinum Member
USA
1418 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2006 : 02:57:10
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| Thanks for the info Stratosphere. In fact at one point, I was thinking about looking into a 5-string because I thought maybe the strings would be closer together, but then I thought about short scale for some of the reasons you mention. Also because the times when I have messed around on basses, I get messed up trying to play the longer scale like a guitar. I guess I need to see how short scale basses handle being tuned down 1-step, as I heard someone say it doesn't sound too good, but I don't see how as Baritone guitars are 28" scale and tuned down massively, I figured its just a matter of finding the right string gauge...sorry, thinking out loud... |
Edited by - jack on 06/21/2006 02:58:38 |
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Dingus
Silver Member
USA
472 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2006 : 05:10:39
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my advice is to save up and get a better recorder, I used to have that same model Tascam, and man was it horrible. I dropped it once and it broke for good, which was one of the best things that ever happened to me, because then I had to get something else like a digital 8-track and life has never been better.
I'm telling you, don't waste your money on other crap right now, save up and get a better 8-track. I don't care if you are just trying to get your ideas down, it's silly to spend all the money that you are for something that's gonna sound bad, when you could save up for a while, spend a little more and get something that won't drive you nuts everytime you have to demagnetize it, or everytime it starts eating a tape, or when you are really disappointed by your recording results, when it's not you, its your gear.
As far as an actual answer that wasnt a rant, I'd get a DI Box for the Bass, I have a Whirlwind one, it works great, but honestly with that Tascam unit, I never got any Bass to sound good.
Good Luck!  |
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jack
Platinum Member
USA
1418 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2006 : 15:57:07
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Yeah, I realize its not the greatest recorder, and I am already looking into something with more tracks and possibly a CD burner. However, I just went ahead and bought this one cause I wanted to see how much home recording I would actually do so I wouldn't end up with a $1000+ paperweight. Any suggestions when it comes time to upgrade? I've been interested in the Korg D1200mkII digital 12track with a CD burner, but any recommendations for an 8-12 track recorder with a CD burner would be helpful.
And before anyone asks, yes, I've thought about recording on my computer, but I have preference for standalone units after doing so much computer based production at my old radio job, as it feels more hands-on and like I'm doing something other than clicking and typing.
And I will probably end up getting a bass soon anyways so when I have the good recorder, my bass chops will be up to speed. |
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Dingus
Silver Member
USA
472 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2006 : 19:05:59
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I've got a Boss BR-8, and it's pretty sweet. My only complaint was a lack of a native XLR input, but I got one of those little Rolls Phantom Power ones that works great anyway since it doesn't have built-in Phantom Power support.
I'll be upgrading to a ProTools setup soon enough though. I hear ya on keeping an 8-track around, I'll probably still keep mine around, I mean hey It's a Boss. Anyway I heard good things about the Korg ones, and my friend has a Roland one that is fairly nice. I'd stay away from Fostex and the cheaper Boss ones, and almost anything by Tascam.
I was gonna write a lot more but I have to get back to work, I may come back & edit this later. |
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lazzrath
Bronze Member
Canada
103 Posts |
Posted - 06/25/2006 : 10:24:22
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Regarding the 'bass' portion of this thread, I feel the urge to stress the idea that it's good to experiment with new things - particularily I'm poking at the short-scale-or-not debate. Personally, I'd go for a long scale (standard, I guess) bass, simply for the challenge. I wouldn't limit yourself with finding a new instrument that you don't have to learn something about. Especially for recording - developing a respect for the instrument being played as it should not be considered a hindrance to progress - while practicing it's bound to open up new doors, as you'll be working just that much harder (I'm big on self development) - I'm guessing it's just for your own amazement and ideas, so there shouldn't be any rush to get things done. Just like Dingus mentioned about the recorder, it's a good idea all around to save up and get something that you won't regret later, even if it's just for knocking around the house (or studio). You won't get frustrated and turned off that way.
And remember - shorter scale also means you'll need thicker strings to keep the proper tension (sometimes REALLY thick strings especially if you're tuning down) on the neck. Some necks on the cheaper shortscales don't truss adjust properly with downtuning, unless you use a massive set of strings. sometimes I've had to do extra work in the nut to file the grooves bigger; sometimes I've had to shim it - it just goes on and on. You'll still have to adjust your technique anyways to accomodate the string spacing. My advice is to try to find a bass guy at your local shop and ask some questions. With today's competition, there's lots of cheap good stuff out there.
As far as useful advice goes, I can't comment on the basses you mentioned, but if you reconsider your bass standpoint, take a look at some of the starter Peavey basses, like the Millennium 4 (or 5) or even the Grind series. They're a good bang for your buck, and shouldn't break the bank, especially the millennium ones. |
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martin martinez
Copper Member
Mexico
4 Posts |
Posted - 09/02/2006 : 01:54:57
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hi jack! i'll add my 2 cents:
everything goes...........?
yeah , you need a better recorder, and a long scale is maybe better, but...
try what you have and can get easily
many people gets good results with things none would admit near their setups.
as for recording your bass, i like a dibox, mixed with a miked amp, tubes please.adjust levels and eq to your taste.
dont let the equipment needs stand in yhe way, be creative try different settings etc.
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Bass guitar-Recording Bass Question...
