Processing a bass track.

Hi Rob

With bass guitar you will definitely give yourself fewer problems in the mixing stage if you record with a reasonable amount of compression - in other words, try and get as level an average signal as possible.

I use the word 'average' deliberately - you need to use just enough compression so that the recorded sound doesn't even up the sound so much that the dynamics of the performance are lost.

Once you've got this 'decent' recorded signal to work with, what you do with it effects-wise really depends on what you want in the particular song. EQ is probably the most used tool for bass guitar and often it's what you cut that makes more of a difference than what you boost.

The best advice I can give is to experiment Rob - but to start off, working with a good, well compressed mono, centre-panned bass signal is a good place to start.

Steve

First thing is make sure that bass is set up correctly ie big low end notes sound as loud as an equal note on another string. Make sure it has new strings. The only way you are going to get a great well rounded sound is through performance, if your playing isnt up to standard then keep practising or try changing technique.
I too have been trying for along time to get a kick arse bass track happening and I have thrown every plugin I have at it and couldnt get it right. A guy I know came round to do a radio jingle and played the track once on his ernie ball and I didnt even need to touch it after that it was that good. Had to do slight eq changes at mixdown but it was all playing.