My favorite placing the bass in the mix technique is using the Sontius Surround Plug-in. When you select this plug in, you are able to place the bass sound in a 3-dimensional manner. There's always a spot in the mix where the bass will sound best. Try it!

I'm sure some bassists already know this, but if you can't afford buying new strings often, take them off and boil them in ether (do this OUTSIDE and be careful, LONG extension cord, plug it in when it's far away, let boil, turn it off, let cool at least 30 min. before retrieving them) 

Enjoy your old set of strings sounding like you just put a new set on.

Years back when I played with a perpetually broke jazz band the bassist used to do this once a week.

If you blow yourself up doing this you didn't hear this from me (Jedi wave...)

Kenneth


I'm sure some bassists already know this, but if you can't afford buying new strings often, take them off and boil them in ether (do this OUTSIDE and be careful, LONG extension cord, plug it in when it's far away, let boil, turn it off, let cool at least 30 min. before retrieving them) 

Enjoy your old set of strings sounding like you just put a new set on.

Years back when I played with a perpetually broke jazz band the bassist used to do this once a week.

If you blow yourself up doing this you didn't hear this from me (Jedi wave...)

I cannot hear the word "ether" without also hearing the words "Hunter S. Thompson" and "Las Vegas." 

tunekicker


For those that like pictures, I go through the complimentary EQ using the Pro Channel on my blog: http://mezzaninefloorstudios.com/blog/?p=62

Thanks tunekicker, there is some nice information on your blog site! Thanks!

A good P Bass is not midrangey.....the one's I've played are fat, round, and still retain the clarity........BTW, I picked up a MIM Fender P Bass Active Deluxe and it sounds great. P Bass body, Jazz neck, and a split configuration....P bass pickup in front and jazz pickup in the rear with plenty of onboard eq....highly recommended....got it for $600 new

Without going into eq for the kick drum (since I don't know what your kick sounds like), if you add 800 hz to the bass track, it will bring out the articulation of the notes...depending on what else is going on in the song, a little bit of 3 khz would also help

I'm trying to fathom the idea of boiling your strings outside. What's wrong with a pot of water on the stove? People have been boiling water on the stove for since we've had stoves. Call me silly but why all the extra work just to boil your strings?

jamesyoyo


After you follow everyone else's fine advice, try using this

Thanks James!

his can net you that old-school Chris Squire, Geddy Lee type bass tone.

 

Of course, playing a Rickenbacker 4002 helps with that too!

dlesaux


This month's Sound on Sound magazine has a great article on mixing the low end..

+1

Guitarpima


 Call me silly but why all the extra work just to boil your strings?

+1  I always boil the strings while they are still attached to my MIM Jazz.  I get a much fatter sound that way.