2013/12/23 08:22:27
gswitz
Here is a different sample of the track before FX...
http://stabilitynetwork.blob.core.windows.net/g-tunes/Bass.mp3
 
Here is the same sample after applying
  • the BT Brick Wall limiter (The BT Mastering Limiter wasn't fast enough)
  • TH2 using the Brunetti Amp with the IR Cabinet
  • I split the track and put a hint of Softtube Saturation on freqs above 125
  • I joined it back together and put Waves RBass on where intensity=-13
  • I put I high shelf @1726 -8.7dB EType
This is the result...
http://stabilitynetwork.blob.core.windows.net/g-tunes/Bass_BT_BrickWall_TH2Brunetti_RBass.mp3
 
I like it better for sure. Feedback is of course still welcome.
2013/12/23 08:46:13
Leadfoot
I would venture to say that, judging by the pictures, as long as the clip-on mic wasn't loose, that the sound was completely made by the strings hitting the fingerboard, and most likely intentional. I've played with quite a few double bass players, and they all slapped the fingerboard like that.
2013/12/23 13:54:40
Starise
 I would seriously consider retracking that part if it were me. It doesn't sound like a hard part to track. It sounds like the instrument and the technique. You could replace it with something else, like a synth bass.
 
 
2013/12/23 14:31:46
Guitarhacker
gswitz
This was a bar-room recording where my phone dB meter was pegged at 130 dB. So it was REALLY loud.
 



 
Wow... above the threshold of pain... we're talking jet engine levels of sound... looking at the photo... I'm thinking the phone db meter isn't very accurate.... 130db with that band and PA setup, not very likely.
2013/12/23 14:56:43
Jeff Evans
The acoustic double bass can make slap sounds and it would have been happening in Jazz as well. Jazz players use it all the time all be in a much more interesting way.
 
What could make it boring if over used anywhere is when it is played in a not so interesting manner with poor time. How about use in an amazingly interesting way with great time. Then it could seen as invaluable. False notes of this type can be edited out completely.
 
Recording it has to be taken into consideration. Placing a mic pointing at the f hole will give you a good sound and augment that with the DI sound. That mic may have to be secured with some form of bracket attached to the instrument itself. Which f hole also depends a little too. One is bassier than the other for obvious reasons so you can choose to mic the preferred f hole. You can mic the f hole from a separate mic on a stand as long as the bass player is relatively still. The string being pulled out and let slap back onto the fret board sound is not so out of control at that position. PA guys can use the DI sound live for volume and a little of the mic sound for realism. The Jazz guys can use it for making themselves a little louder because some modern Jazz is getting pretty loud at times. The Jazz acoustic players need all the help they can get.
 
Getting a decent mic inside it too could be an alternative to the pickup sound. I wish more double bass players would go to the trouble of doing this. The sound is quite loud in there with minimal spill from the outside world too. I once recorded a (very soft and quiet) Vietnamese zither from inside it as well as outside of course. I was amazed how good it sounded inside and how little spill there was from quite a loud band.
 
I would be very surprised if that performance and recording reached 130 dB as well. That is seriously loud and a band would have to tbe playing as loud as it could through a pretty big PA in order to reach those sort of levels. I don't see that in the picture. Sounds like there is some form of distortion on that recording as well. Not sure what that is but it could have been recorded cleaner perhaps. Mechanical faults can create very distorted sounds. Like a screw loose in a FOH PA full range speaker or something rattling in a pickup situation.
 
Eventually a VST will come out that will restore the DI sound to a full acoustic miced up sound.  There are a few hardware things that attempt to do it now with varying degrees of success I believe.
2013/12/23 15:31:15
gswitz
Yes, I have not calibrated the Phone dB Meter. It says my car on the highway with windows down is @100dB (no stereo). I have nothing better to compare it to, so I don't know how accurate it is. I wouldn't say it was above the threshold of pain but it was screamingly loud. I had to lend the Drummer's GF earplugs for her to be able to stay.
2014/01/03 01:41:08
Danny Danzi
I know I'm late to the party here...but have you tried the Cakewalk Transient Shaper? Sounds like it would do a great job on this as it would soften the blow. Agree on the outboard comp...but if you didn't get a chance to use it, not much you can do. That TS is a good little plug with lots of potential and control. I made a video using it on various instruments. If you're interested G, let me know and I'll send a link your way.
 
-Danny
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