How have you guys recorded your bass in the past?

Do you go directly in- bass to mixer, through preamps to the mixer, line out from the amp head, through everything and miced up, or some combination?

I usually go direct (through the amp head if I can), but there's no reason to not play around with combining the two (mic-ing). It's all about what kind of sound you want to get. That probably doesn't help much, but its all about playing around and seeing what works for you.

Playing around is the key. I like to run a DI and mic a speaker. I find that if you have an isolation room and a speaker set up in there yuou don't need much volume. This allows a better dymbnamics cause you don't have to push so much. The DI sound, eith from the amp or not is real nice to. One trick you might try...I sometime use the FX out from the amp instead of the balanced Di. I have found on some amps its less hot and it allows for a better more balanced tone to record with which one can then take and ,mess with. Its better to get an even tone, not too bassy not to treble and then futz with the EQ etc. afterward. But if if you get a nice singal with no peaks or nothin', you'll do alright. The problem is that some studio people will spend hours miking a guitar, but think bass should take five min! fuck um. Only once have a agreed to make a record with a bass sound I didn't like and it still bugs me to this day. Remember that the recording will be around FOREVER. Get the tone right, it doesn't take that long.
groovy
Wj

When I record bass it all really depends on the sound they are going for and what their rig looks like.

I agree that most studio guys think it should take no time to get the bass set-up. That is total BS, it can often take longer than guitar.

Anyway, it all depends and even based on that there may be some better way. You have to experiment.

My rule of thumb/or first try is: if the sound is clean, go straight in through a compressor. If the sound is distorted or has FX or depends greatly on the amp/speakers, then mic or run DI.

For a good sound that cuts through but doesn't overpower or keep things boomy I have done some weird stuff. Like use condensors for symbols to mic the cab and mix it with DI bass. Or sometimes convince them to "buy" one from GC and return it

a large diaphram mic on the speaker, on the outer rim, about 6-10 inches away (depending on volume of signal) AND a DI signal.

this is pretty standard, BUT, you will need to adjust the time of the mic signal to match the DI (or vice versa). in other words, sound travels at about 1100 mph...so if you mic is 6-10 inches away, you'll need to move the track so that you dont get a canceling effect because on the DI track, there is no actual sound, only a signal.

It's track intensive, but I use a DI off the bass, a mic off the cab, a line out (thru a DI) out of the amp, and if you really want to get crazy, mic up the strings at the bridge also. Then, blend, blend, blend!!!

I think that it's okay to go straight through but only if you have a good bass. Last time that I recorded like that it turned out kick ass. Next time I want to mic the cabinet and go from the head to the board. Maybe I'll like that better. Like wilbertjones and kronikrob said, you just have to play around and it depends on what kind of sound and tone that you are looking for.

It depends on how much you like your preamp and the sound you're getting from your cab.

I've recorded direct through both preamps I have, an old ADA MB-1 and a Raven Labs acoustic preamp. The MB gave me a good direct sound, but the Raven Labs didn't.

If you like the sound you get from your cab, then mic it! Make sure you put the mic far enough away to pick up your speaker(s) and the tweeter. I did a recording miced a while back but put the mic too close to one of the tens and didn't get any brightness from the tweeter.

Also, playing through your cab will add a certain level of compression. This can be a VERY good thing! The bass is extremely dynamic and you will want to compress it some anyway, but the miced signal will have a very natural sounding evenness to it. All those dynamics you like live will be amplified 10x on a recording!

If your recorded sound is a little too bright, then it's just bright enough; you can always take a little out but it's tough to add back in. Besides it will help you cut through.