Low Budget Recording

[midopa]

Is a good sound even possible with my setup and budget?

Computer & Soundcard -> Cheap computer mic placed over -> Behringer BX600

My budget is at max $100 for extra equipment. I'm trying to get at least a decent, clear but well-rounded bass recorded, as a friend and I are trying to write some songs together.

Any suggestions? Keep in mind I'm a poor college student!

 

[Mantaray]

i don't wanna disappoint you, but....okay foget what I said.

Go out and buy a DI. Perhaps spend all the $100(and if you can add some more) on it. Then you can either
a) Plug it in your computer(if you are satisfied with the quality
b)Plug it in your stereo music system's auxiliary ports.

Only then you will have a decent quality.

 

[Disquieter]

Is a good sound even possible with my setup and budget?

Computer & Soundcard -> Cheap computer mic placed over -> Behringer BX600

My budget is at max $100 for extra equipment. I'm trying to get at least a decent, clear but well-rounded bass recorded, as a friend and I are trying to write some songs together.

Any suggestions? Keep in mind I'm a poor college student!

do yourself a favor, forgoe any recording for two weeks and work your ass off to make more money and buy something in the "alright" range.

your current setup: souncard, cheap computer mic, bx600.....

not gonna work. the frequency response for a computer mic doesn't allow for very good bass tones, if your desired effect is "distorted, farty, thin crap" then by all means, computermic away. Get yourself a sound card, a good one, if you don't have one, Creative Labs makes some bare bones sound cards for cheap, and you can find them used cheap as well. Next, get a preamp or DI of some sort. the better the preamp, the better the tone. If you play the game right you can get good stuff cheap. every few months or so, Guitar Center sells a Rolls tube preamp for 20 dollars (normally 100), try and score that, it does the trick to get your levels right while maintaining a good sound. Better yet, get a real bass preamp!

take your preamp, and run it into the line in of your sound card, then use a audio recording program and become famous, then send me money.

so this is what you need...
buy this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=23785&item=3723009560&rd=1

and buy this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41784&item=3722048034&rd=1


those are about 100 bucks together, then you spend a few duckets on cables and yer good to go.

enjoy
joel D.

 

[midopa]

I haven't had a chance to get a hold of some new equipment, but I'd like you guys to comment on the current quality of my sound ( note: quality of sound - not how good the sound sounds... I'm afraid that's something I'll have to work on for a while... )...

Here's the link:
http://home.socal.rr.com/plobukt/echo pulse.mp3

Again, this is my ESP B205 run through my Behringer BX600, recorded by a cheap mic.

Thanks for the tips so far. I'll look into them.

 

[spectorbassguy]

Please take this constructively. I think you've got some good ideas, but the little harmonic pop you're doing kind of sounds like someone hitting a tin can. I really do believe that a good D.I. box would do the trick. A friend of mine gets some good sounds out of a Behringer D.I. box that is less than $50.00. It should make your bass sound a LOT better.

 

[midopa]

Haha... I thank you for your input. Once you put it that way, it does sound a bit corny. Anyway, this Sunday I spotted an unused DI box in my church's praise team equipment box. I'm gonna borrow that sucker and try it out!

 

[spectorbassguy]

Haha... I thank you for your input. Once you put it that way, it does sound a bit corny. Anyway, this Sunday I spotted an unused DI box in my church's praise team equipment box. I'm gonna borrow that sucker and try it out!

Borrowing is a good plan!

 

[jubjub721]

pro tools free
i dont know how many are aquaaited with spykids 1 and 2
but all of the music was done with this program and its free
not sure of exact website
i would google it

 

[Psychicpet]

Any MM bass through a decent (Berhinger) DI is going to sound good. there have been a few times where I've plugged my SR5 straight into a ProTools Digi 002 rig with a Behringer DI and it sounds fine. Another thing that's going to give you a good recording tone is new strings, the "zing" won't necessarily come through the mix but the "zingy-ness" allows the bass to have some good upper harmonics and overtones which all reenforce the fundamental(lo-tones). But your set-up should be ok to get some happening bass to disk.

 

[Mantaray]

pro tools free
i dont know how many are aquaaited with spykids 1 and 2
but all of the music was done with this program and its free
not sure of exact website
i would google it

Don't get me wrong but I think that ProTools is not free at all. Digidesign takes good advantage of the program. Anyway, yeah the Behringer DI would do just fine. I remember my first ever recordings I wanted to do the same as midopa. I was almost discouraged in continuing bass playing. Today I am a total gear freak. I want the best possible sound.

I think Pshychicpet has a good taste in gear.

 

[jubjub721]

there is a program protools free
and yes its free and downloadabole

 

[Fuzzy Dustmite]

Which Behringer DI box is best for bass? I see a couple different models on Ebay right now.

 

[spectorbassguy]

Which Behringer DI box is best for bass? I see a couple different models on Ebay right now.

This is the one my friend used with good results. $35 at Musician's Fiend.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...g=rec/s=signal/search/detail/base_pid/182452/

 

[midopa]

How convenient! It just so happens that that's the exact DI box that's left unused at my church! Albiet, it's a bit banged up and such, but I'm sure it'll work fine. Expect some recordings next week! hax0r!!!