Recording with the Bongo

[Runnerman]

Just got home from a session, our drummer was laying his tracks and my bass and the guitar were just fill tracks for him tonight. Had my Bongo totally flat eq and mid pickup blend and the recording engineer said right out of the box, "Wow that sounds good". Never asked me once in 3 hours to change anything. I fiddled myself a bit but just really enjoyed the tone through the headphones.

Anyways, I need to lay two of my tracks on Sunday. I may put on some new strings on tomorrow but really just looking for any tips from others that have recorded with the Bongo. We play pretty much classic rock/funk style. Thanks guys!

 

[rizzo9247]

Just finishing up a "rock" album myself, I used my bongo set completely flat on all songs. Producer/engineer loved the tone of the HH bongo, and same as you, did not try to change a thing during the whole process. Ill provide links to some tracks when I am legally allowed...

I swear these things just need a volume knob

 

[TheAntMan]

hmmmm....it sounded really great and the sound guy and everyone was happy with the tone...so you are asking what to do to make it sound good?!?....am I missing something?

Just play and enjoy.

--Ant

 

[Runnerman]

hmmmm....it sounded really great and the sound guy and everyone was happy with the tone...so you are asking what to do to make it sound good?!?....am I missing something?

Just play and enjoy.

--Ant

I re-read my post and I didn't see where I asked "what to do to make it sound good". So maybe I'm missing something. I was looking for any experiences/feedback of those that had recorded with the instrument...at least that's what I thought I said. Rizzo's response was of that flavor and appreciated. Cheers, Chris.

 

[cellkirk74]

I recorded a little with the Bongo and everybody was happy. No special tricks so far besides the average. Don't turn the volume up all the way. I had nice rsults by recording two tracks at once, one clean and one through a sansamp bddi for a little dirt.

 

[bassmonkeee]

I love the way my Bongos sit in the mix. And, every engineer who has recorded us has been really complimentary of the tone.

I wouldn't recommend putting new strings on the bass right before going into the studio, but that's just me. Of course, I use flats so I wouldn't recommend putting new strings on the bass any other time after replacing the old ones with flats, either.

 

[Runnerman]

Thanks guys. I held off changing the strings which I think was a good move as you say bassmonkeee. I was really iffy about it anyways. Spent almost 4 hours in the studio yesterday, mainly on one track. I ran the volume about 8 (cellkirk, you are right on) and everything else flat as before except just a little pickup bias to the neck. Sounded great and engineer complimentary as before.

I had really hoped to get two tracks in but with my sloppy playing had to do too many fixes on the first one. Which means back in again today or tomorrow when I can find the time.

Just an intro from the newb....should have done so sooner but couldn't find the right spot. I have been playing bass for about 5 years, but playing music all my life. Currently playing bass in one steady band and drums in an on again-off again group. My original instrument was the guitar, then learned drums and then bass, originally just so I could record my own music. I also love to run hence my Username. Love the EBMM basses and there seems to be a great bunch of folks here. Thanks for all the input. Hope to hang around for a while.

 

[cellkirk74]

You are welcome! It's nice and warm over here.

 

[J Romano]

In the short time that I have been here, I have learned a lot. Everybody is very helpful and especially knowledgeable. Humor is over flowing, a great place to hang!

 

[Grga]

I swear these things just need a volume knob

yep, I put flatwounds on it.. amazing powerfull and warm tone, the eq is a nice to have gimmick, flat with flatwounds is my prefered set with my Bongo HH