Best way to record direct bass with minimal gear?

After much experimenting, I have found that recording a direct bass in the following manner gives me the best resolution. Do you have any suggestions to improve upon this workflow?  

1. Bass guitar to direct box with 0 db pad.  

2. Direct box to Alesis MICTube Duo Stereo Preamp (sorry, it's all I own in a tube micpre).  

3. The Alesis MICTube is set to about 20% tube overdrive on it which seems to add a little warmth. 
I drive the output close to zero DB on the peaks.  

4. Alesis MICTube to Zoom R24 xlr in. The R24 is my DAW interface.  

5. R24 to an audio track. I drive the R24 at about 0 db on the peaks.  

6. I have setup an input EFX (so that they are recorded onto the t track) for:  
a. Gate  
b. Tuner  
c. Limiter (Limiter is set to -1 db threshold. 
I drive the limiter at about 8.4 db input level which slightly levels the peaks by about 4 db. 
I record the input level at -1 db which gives me a nice full waveform.  
d. On the mixer channel, I add an EQ and Low Cut at 60 hz and High Cut at 10K.  

I use an Ibanez Micro bass and play with my fingers.  

All in all, this setup works. 

How do you like to record direct bass?  

 Thanks. 

Rimshot

That is a rather long process but if it works for you why not.  Taste is not a matter of science - see New Coke.

I usually DI through a RND Portico channel strip, except if we are doing guitar etc. at the same time.  Then I've been using the Warm Audio preamp, which sounds good, too, w/o any effects.

Have you tried mic recording, or does the loudness factor preclude it?

@

Instrument in on my StealthPedal and Ampeg SVX for tone. Sometimes I'll use the Great River at the studio.

I commonly use an ElectroHarmonix BlackFinger tube based compressor pedal. It's actually a nice little widget for recording bass. It has a nice compressor in it for bass, and it has a pre-amp stage, so you can push it into a little breakup. It's about as low end as you can get, just out of there into a DI to get it into the DAW, but it works pretty nicely. It'll need some EQ probably as I think any direct in type bass recording probably does, either on the way in or after the fact or on the bass itself if it provides sufficient control.

I will also put a little reverb on it as well on the way in, which keeps it from sounding so much like a DI'd bass and gives it a little space. I just use an EH Cathedral Reverb pedal for that.

I am with Bats on this one. I run my bass into a Sans amp Bass driver DI. EQ & Compress in the box. Best tone I have found yet.

Warwick Rockstar 5 string > Di Box

Di Box 1 > Focusrite ISA One > Interface (Channel 1) > Sonar
Di Box 2 > Behringer Bass V-Amp (stereo) > Interface (Channels 2 & 3) > Sonar

Hey Rimshot,
 
There are quite a few ways to do this. To me, it depends on the bass as well as the player and the style of music. My bassist in my original band uses a Kubikki Factor, so we use a different front end for him. Drawmer 1968 MKII...sometimes a pre-amp or channel strip type deal. We just picked up a Manley TNT that's pretty incredible. One side is tube the other side solid state for the best of both worlds. So that's our GOOD front end for him or anyone else that can really play the bass.
 
Now here's the kicker....other times, as well as for myself, I get incredible results using a regular old charcoal colored, kidney bean Bass POD and I love it. It's fantastic for that "now" bass sound as well as just about anything else. It is seriously the best $299 I have ever spent and I definitely recommend it for anyone struggling with bass tones. You should be able to dial something in on that in about 5-10 minutes tops. God knows what improvements they've made to it now. I got mine about 7 years ago so it's old and outdated but man, it gets any tone I ever needed. It's not quite as elaborate sounding as the other rigs I mentioned, but it shouldn't be when you weigh the prices. LOL! See, if you have a guy that is a real bassist that has touch and feel on the instrument as well as a really nice bass that is set up right, new strings etc, you want to run him through the best stuff in your studio.
 
If you are working with a guy that is a middle of the road player that's a bit sloppy or is more of a "now" type bassist that likes a little drive in his tone and some sub low end...or maybe that 60's or 70's sound, the POD is fantastic for that. Don't get me wrong, if you plug a really nice bass into it with a guy that can really play, it sounds fantastic. But it's not quite the Drawmer or the Manley. LOL! :) Check it out sometime if you get a chance. If you've heard any of my productions, I just about always use the POD. Anything I put out with my band though has Joey or Wayne on bass so we use different high end gear for those guys because...well, they can play bass and I'm a hack. LOL! :) Good luck man.
 
-Danny

One of two ways.
 
Using a Line 6 XU1 interface and POD Farm 2.5.  Usually on the Eden amp.  Or, mic my Fender Bassman.

Rimshot,
 
It's not one of the coveted vintage models, LOL.  It is a newer, 2000-ish, 60w solid state, with a 15" cone; it leans back at an angle.  Not really powerful enough for much than practice or recording.  It gives off a really nice warm tone though.  Mic'd right, it can be really nice in a recording.

IK Obi

dcumpian
Either:

1) Bass into Digitech GSP-1101. Adjust tone to taste.

2) Bass into Radial DI -> Mackie Mixer (adjust tone a bit here) -> Ampeg SVX.

Regards,
Dan

I would normally be cool with this, but not for bass. The Mackie EQs usually don't play nice with bass.

It's usually not much of an adjustment. It depends on if I'm using a pick or not. Mostly, it is the raw sound of the bass with major tone adjustments occuring in the box. But I do hear what you're saying...
 
Regards,
Dan
 

Sorry, hit the damn thing twice.

http://www.tseaudio.com/software.html
Try the BOD. It's pretty good. I'll usually use Ampeg SVX.

In all seriousness, if you're looking for a quick/easy way to DI record electric bass (and you're looking for an "amped" type tone), check out the Zoom B3.
There's a Fender Bassman 300 model in there that's excellent.
Put a very light amount of compression of the D Compressor... running into the Bassman 300 model.
Like the results so much that I sold my Ampeg SVT Classic head.
 
 

ce1982
@Jim,
How does it compare with the Bass Pod? I have it but only use the direct out on it. I really don't care for the sounds or fx it. Worth it or go with SansAmp bass driver instead?
 

I've owned the POD HD500 (with the new Ampeg Flip-top model).
IMO, The Zoom B3 blows it out of the water.
 
For DI guitar, the Zoom G5 is also pretty good.