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Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2021 14:14:06 GMT -6
So, I'm going to be changing my core genre for a demo to alt / acoustic / pop rock and a bit of dance thrown in there. I have NI Komplete 11 for the synth stuff, a 12 string, 6 string, new ATV A-drums kit, Engl Retrotube + 2X12 custom so far.
However where possible I'm looking to avoid vst's if possible, so I'm looking at an acoustic bass and a bass cab. Seen as I've blown most of my budget on completely re-building my studio from the ground up I'm left with fumes at this point but any suggestions welcome. Also any other instruments useful for these genre's?
This is new ground for me, I've never done anything sorta mainstream before so in humble terms any support is very welcome.
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Post by svart on Nov 15, 2021 13:51:18 GMT -6
P-bass and Ampeg SVT rig. Nothing else works as well for rock/pop/alt. I find I like the Squire P-basses better than Fenders because the neck is thinner and the frets aren't so bulbous. A squire P with some Duncan Quarter Pounder pickups or Duncan SPB-2 HOT pickups are just about a perfect setup. Always use new strings to record, or at least boil the set to clean them up before you play. That brilliance is part of the harmonic tone you want. The high end will be toned down by the rig but the harmonics will shine through.
Fender american pickups are a great setup too but you get a bit less of the midrange snarl you need in pop/alt. You can find a lot of fender pickups on ebay as people pull them to put other things in their place.
Unfortunately SVTs have gone crazy in prices lately so to get that roundish thump you're going to be stuck with VSTs. Plus, the SVT head weighs something like 70lbs and the 4x10's weigh just as much, so it'll save your back too.
Right now I can suggest the ML SVT plugin for that mojo. It sounds a whole lot like my SVT classic for very little $. Certainly close enough. Also, grab the free TSE BOD plugin while you're at it. It gives a great impression of the Sansamp pedal as you'll need a little more grit than you're probably used to.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2021 17:13:19 GMT -6
P-bass and Ampeg SVT rig. Nothing else works as well for rock/pop/alt. I find I like the Squire P-basses better than Fenders because the neck is thinner and the frets aren't so bulbous. A squire P with some Duncan Quarter Pounder pickups or Duncan SPB-2 HOT pickups are just about a perfect setup. Always use new strings to record, or at least boil the set to clean them up before you play. That brilliance is part of the harmonic tone you want. The high end will be toned down by the rig but the harmonics will shine through. Fender american pickups are a great setup too but you get a bit less of the midrange snarl you need in pop/alt. You can find a lot of fender pickups on ebay as people pull them to put other things in their place. Unfortunately SVTs have gone crazy in prices lately so to get that roundish thump you're going to be stuck with VSTs. Plus, the SVT head weighs something like 70lbs and the 4x10's weigh just as much, so it'll save your back too. Right now I can suggest the ML SVT plugin for that mojo. It sounds a whole lot like my SVT classic for very little $. Certainly close enough. Also, grab the free TSE BOD plugin while you're at it. It gives a great impression of the Sansamp pedal as you'll need a little more grit than you're probably used to. Thanks for that Svart, I picked the UA Ampeg SVT as part of their sale. Didn't really know what I was looking for, it just sounded pretty good.. I'll grab the TSE plug.. I'm sorta just trying to figure out what instruments they use in pop / alt music, in metal it's rather obvious but in any given song there's a lot of random sounds going on. I guess most of is just variations of synths but I've heard anything from Taiko drums to Gadulka's.. Seems a bit everything and the kitchen sink on some songs. |
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Post by phdamage on Nov 16, 2021 9:33:21 GMT -6
I own two 70s SVTs and an old SVT2 (not the newer, "Pro" model) and I think the UA plug gets awfully damn close - close enough I rarely bother micing up a cab if someone sends me a DI for a mix.
if you must have an amp and a real SVT is out of your budget, GK 400/800RB is a really solid workhorse for a lot less money. I think with a pedal with some distortion on the way in, you can get a damn good bass tone. I prefer an OG Rat pedal barely adding much. It's also a lot easier to move!
if you're patient, you can buy a used 8x10 for not much - people often unload them cheap cuz they're so damn huge. but failing that, a 1x15 with an EV15L will do a great job (lots of custom versions of this, as well as the old Mesa Diesel cabs). just be careful with amp power - i've blown a ton of 15Ls over the years
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Post by srb on Nov 16, 2021 12:37:43 GMT -6
The newer Portaflex design from Ampeg is really good, I think. There are two head options: a solid state and tube. I have both. I prefer the tube head on the 15" cabinet. It's 2 X 6L6 for ~50 watts. Real nice tone and response.
That said, I haven't mic'd a bass cab in years. I used to, but I used it infrequently. These days I go DI with a Teegarden FatBoy or a REDDI. But the amp is there if I need it, and it's great for band rehearsal.
For in-house basses I have Mexican Fenders: a Jazz Deluxe and a Precision. Both are eminently playable and sound great.
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Post by notneeson on Nov 16, 2021 12:37:44 GMT -6
I would just add that for some stuff you actually need more of a DI and/or solid state head sound. It’s a different, but useful thing.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2021 21:43:44 GMT -6
Yeah it does seem that bass cabs are a thing of the past at this point, I have a DI in both the Shelford / 6176 so plenty of options there. I also have a Fender Jazz Deluxe so I'll give it a try.. Mainly used that on Maiden style tracks, worked pretty well.
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Post by Ward on Nov 17, 2021 15:06:37 GMT -6
Yeah it does seem that bass cabs are a thing of the past at this point, I have a DI in both the Shelford / 6176 so plenty of options there. I also have a Fender Jazz Deluxe so I'll give it a try.. Mainly used that on Maiden style tracks, worked pretty well. I have different experiences. When tracking a live band, I almost always resort to using both channels of a Drawmer 1960, preamp BAndax EQ and comp. Channel 1, bass into a countryman 85, Channel 2, mic'ing up an old Lab series L4 or Acoustic 370 with a Neumann U47FET. So I phase match and level match, and record each to separate paths and mix as needed for playback and later in the mix. Sounds glorious. |
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magma
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Post by magma on Nov 27, 2021 16:09:37 GMT -6
Yeah... can't go wrong with a P-bass.
Anyone try one of the newer Fender P/J basses? They have an 'American Performer' model and a 'Player Plus', which has active electronics.
If Squier had a good P/J bass on par with stuff in their classic vibe line, I'd go that route probably.
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Post by Ward on Nov 27, 2021 16:55:28 GMT -6
oh darn it . . . it posted twice.
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Post by Ward on Nov 27, 2021 16:55:44 GMT -6
Yeah... can't go wrong with a P-bass. Anyone try one of the newer Fender P/J basses? They have an 'American Performer' model and a 'Player Plus', which has active electronics. If Squier had a good P/J bass on par with stuff in their classic vibe line, I'd go that route probably. Once upon a time I thought the PJ was the greatest thing in the bass universe. But for the past 20 years, I just can't get on with them. The precision single pup might be a one sound bass, but it's the greatest sound of all. It always sits perfectly. When you start dialing in the J pickup on a PJ it starts to lose the magic. |
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magma
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Post by magma on Nov 27, 2021 18:12:13 GMT -6
Yeah... can't go wrong with a P-bass. Anyone try one of the newer Fender P/J basses? They have an 'American Performer' model and a 'Player Plus', which has active electronics. If Squier had a good P/J bass on par with stuff in their classic vibe line, I'd go that route probably. Once upon a time I thought the PJ was the greatest thing in the bass universe. But for the past 20 years, I just can't get on with them. The precision single pup might be a one sound bass, but it's the greatest sound of all. It always sits perfectly. When you start dialing in the J pickup on a PJ it starts to lose the magic. I've heard this said before. From the sounds I've heard they sound pretty good, but I don't have any experience recording and mixing with them. I'd like to try the G&L tribute basses next to the Squier P-basses as well. |
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Post by gwlee7 on Nov 28, 2021 17:19:25 GMT -6
I have one of the short scale Mustang PJ basses that is pretty cool.
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