MMSR Equalizing

[cassius987]

What are some of your EQ reccomendations for the Stingray models? I have a 2000 model that, apparently, is not very far off from what former Tool bassist Paul D'Amour played when recording Opiate and Undertow. I've always admired Paul's interesting bass sound, but I can't "achieve" it with much ease yet. I've never been good at very fine EQ set-ups on my own because I tend to be impatient. But does anyone have any advice--either about EQ in general for the Stingray, including active and pre-amp specifics, or perhaps about how to sound like Paul (if there are any people in this forum who know what I'm talking about--he had a unique bass sound). Thanks, everyone.

 

[Samingo]

Hello Cassius, I'm a fellow Tool/Stingray fan so I'll try what I can.

Firstly, as I recall(and I may be wrong) but I do beleieve that Paul used a Rickenbacker on Opiate and Undertow. Again though, I may be wrong. In either case, it's a very trebly sound that he had. Very thin, and definately played with a pick.

Using the Stingray, I'd suggest Definatelly rolling off the Mid on your Bass, Increasing the treble a bit and maybe even rolling off the Low. Though of course this depends on your amp/room, etc. There are many variables.

What I can tell you though, is that you're looking for less mids, slightly more highs, and a solid, but not overpowering foundation of lows.

Again, I'm not particularily an expert, and hopefully somebody else that knows what you're talking about will chime in, even if just for varrying oppinions. Good luck and stick around.

 

[Randracula]

I think he was also playing an all tube SVT head.If you can't get that try the Sansamp BDDI,here's a clip....
Sansamp Tool Style

 

[cassius987]

That soundclip is close... but no cigar. I don't know, I'm kind of picky just because I listen to Tool so much and pay a lot of attention to both Paul's and Justin's bass tones.

Either way thanks for the advice and support, I'll keep trying... and I'll definitely see if a Rickenbacker is what he was using instead, I could have been quite wrong.

 

[Golem]

That soundclip [Sansamp BDDI] is close... but no cigar. I don't know, I'm kind of picky just because I listen to Tool so much and pay a lot of attention to both Paul's and Justin's bass tones.

Either way thanks for the advice and support, I'll keep trying... and I'll definitely see if a Rickenbacker is what he was using instead, I could have been quite wrong.

The BDDI is quite adjustable, and the new model holds 3 setups for instant recall [at only a tiny price increase, too]. If the sound clip was pretty close to your goal, it's really worth going to a dealer to mess with a BDDI.

 

[cassius987]

That's a preamp? The name, sansamp, is it supposed to imply that this replaces something (an amp) somehow? That doesn't make loads of sense to me unless they're suggesting your run through a sound system. Either way thanks for the reccomendation.

 

[Golem]

That's a preamp? The name, sansamp, is it supposed to imply that this replaces something (an amp) somehow? That doesn't make loads of sense to me unless they're suggesting your run through a sound system. Either way thanks for the reccomendation.

Sansamp means DI box. The particular device is Tech21NYC's SansAmp Bass Driver Direct Input box. It's not really a preamp since the DI provides only very minor input gain, but the "Bass Driver" part is a quality overdrive effect.

Small doses just add a sprinkling of dirt to tone. Middle doses sound a lot like my MusicMan HD130 head [4 power tubes, SS preamp], and major doses sound like a BassMan or other all-tube basshead driven to extremes. There are no tubes in the BDDI, and Tech21 says it's analog, totally non-digital. Beats me how they do it, but it really works. Most of the OD range is sweet and rich, not screachy.

 

[TheAntMan]

Hi there

I am not sure that the issue is only on the instrument side of the EQ. Different amps/boards and effects will shape the tone. You would have to find out all the equipment an artist used on a particular track/performance to be able to exactly match the tone. Not to mention the sound of the hands which also affect the tone/sound.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[bass thumper]

Hi there

I am not sure that the issue is only on the instrument side of the EQ. Different amps/boards and effects will shape the tone. You would have to find out all the equipment an artist used on a particular track/performance to be able to exactly match the tone. Not to mention the sound of the hands which also affect the tone/sound.

Just my 2 cents.

I can't commint. I haven't got paid yet, I don't have 2 cents.

 

[JB1]

FWIW, I think to reach that Nirvana of sounds replication, you'll need the same

1 Bass
2 EQ settings
3 Amp
4 Cabs
5 Effects (if applicable)
6 Desk
6 Rroom
7 Engineer
8 Producer

..... to be there 100%, but at least 1-5 to get near that sound you're looking for.

Oh and don't for get the strings (and the age of them). And possibly a good understanding of the style you're after.

It's all a lot to consider my friend.

Bon chance
J