Recording: Dead E and the Clicks

[Compendium]

I've owned and enjoyed my Sting Ray for about a half a year. I've been doing a fair bit of studio work and have never quite been satified with the resulting sound.


The E-string (typically a 105) always seems to be a bit muffled and dead in comparision to the other strings. Is this typical? Anyone know what might cause this?

FYI -- I use a methyl-hydrate solution to clean my EBslinky strings and change them in rotation (3 packs) every 3-4weeks. My pick-up is set flat to factory specs. I've considered moving to a thicker (110 or 115) would this help?!?


The second problem is the clicking. It tends to be harsh and sharp as appose to the "soft, warm and energetic" click I hear on the many SR recordings I enjoy. (That is why we all buy these basses isn't it?!?) Any advise on how to acheive this aggressive soft click sound?

FYI -- I have tried the electrical tape/epoxy mod to the pickups I am planning on raising the action as advised on previous forum discussions. I generally record through an DI/Mic combo: MIC: Lrg Dia condenser or a Kick mic through a quality preamp DI: Eden/SWR or good pre DI.

I am an agressive player 99% of playing is without a pick. Put Flea, jonathan thatcher (delirious), Jim Creggan (BNL), Sting and pinch of old school funk, minus a lot of skill/amazingness in a benlder and you have my playing style.

In my next post....the rest of my life story. :0)

Thanks, in advance.

 

[Bassplyr]

Hey, even if you never make it as a bass player, I see standup comedy as a strong possibility for you.

 

[midopa]

I can't help you with the deadie problem - never had to deal with zombies myself.

About the harsh clicking you're talking about... I had that, too. The thing is, I think that harsh clickey sound is inevitable with the SR - it's one of the SR trademark sounds, no?

But I recall talking to a friend of mine who's more knowledgeable about sound systems, setups, acoustics, etc. and he told me that many times bassists are directly inputed into the mixer alongside a mic that records the bass in the room. I'm not sure if this is true, but I'm assuming that softened click sound you're referring to is due to this recording technique.

 

[bovinehost]

I have all kinds of EBMM basses and they're strung with either Thomastik Infeld jazz Flats or LaBella Flats; the action is medium low and I tend to dig in fingerstyle.

Homey don't get no clicks.

 

[Mantaray]

In several tunes, in order to get a rounder sound without clicking etc etc, the engineer tends to mike the bass cabinet.