the string hitting the ebony fingerboard . The miked bass amp provided easy control on the analog console of the low-end part of the bass sound , while the piezo pickup on another channel contained most of this more direct and present attack . Here ’ s how the two elements came together :
While this example was more of a studio setting with a DI and a bass cabinet on an upright bass , the same approach could be useful in live situations where a DI and an amp output or miked cabinet on an electric is in place . Rather than have to spend time and energy to carve out complex EQ settings on a single input , let each source live closer to where it likely comes into the desk , with the DI input generally being the brighter of the two . Balancing the two sources accordingly can give you a quick way to bump up some definition or bring more overall body to the sound with just two faders . Of course , you can also utilize different compression settings on each component as needed and end up with a bass sound that works just right for the musical setting .
FOCUSING ON THE FUNDAMENTALS : Going in the opposite direction and pushing the low-end characteristics while just hinting at fret noise and attack , here ’ s a track from the same band with an old Fender Precision bass :
As the style of this track is much more up-tempo and funky , the bass energy is dropped down into the root fundamental tone and falls much more closely to the range of the bass drum . Keeping the full-range bass complete with high-frequency attack and fret noise started to compete too much with the lower range of the electric guitar and keyboard parts . Rather than start cutting highs out of a single bass input , the DI channel dipped down a bit while the bass cabinet channel provided the necessary energy and forward momentum . In the solo section of the track , as the bass part popped up an octave and became more complex , the DI channel was slightly brought forward to add a new flavor and some sonic interest .
PUSHING THE MIDS FORWARD : Of course , miked bass cabinets aren ’ t always
July 2023 Subscribe for Free ... 107