adamlutley
08-06-2007, 10:48 AM
I thought I'd start a conversation about different methods of reinforcing Double Bass in a Jazz setting.
Alot of what I'm about to discuss is my own opinion and is shaped by my stylistic preference for Acoustic Double Bass sound.
Firstly, I have come to sound engineering after being a working jazz pianist for about 11 years. One of the main reasons for studying sound,etc.. was that the sound at so many gigs I went to was terrible!
Anyway.. my personal preferred "Acoustic" double bass sound is warm, woody and bassy.. I hate the twangy mid and toppy sound that some players get.
I have found that the best jazz bass players have studied the instrument correctly and have strived to produce a strong acoustic sound without the support of an amplifier.
The problem that I find with alot of Double players is that they have virtually no acoustic sound and rely on the sound of their pickup and amplifier for their sound.
The best sound of a Double Bass for me (in a jazz setting) is very supportive and percussive and fills out the bottom end with a warm, round sound that does not intrude into the spectrum of the other instruments. It seems to me that when pick-ups and amplifiers are relied upon, the sound has more middle and top and lacks the supportive, warm bass.
Which leads me to sound reinforcement....
I'm very interested in people's experiences with miking double bass in a jazz setting. What do you use ? SM57, RE20, M88,?? small diaphram, large diaphram.. dynamic or condenser?
What EQing do you use if any?
I would also like to know if anyone has has success with clip-on bug mics.
Adam
Alot of what I'm about to discuss is my own opinion and is shaped by my stylistic preference for Acoustic Double Bass sound.
Firstly, I have come to sound engineering after being a working jazz pianist for about 11 years. One of the main reasons for studying sound,etc.. was that the sound at so many gigs I went to was terrible!
Anyway.. my personal preferred "Acoustic" double bass sound is warm, woody and bassy.. I hate the twangy mid and toppy sound that some players get.
I have found that the best jazz bass players have studied the instrument correctly and have strived to produce a strong acoustic sound without the support of an amplifier.
The problem that I find with alot of Double players is that they have virtually no acoustic sound and rely on the sound of their pickup and amplifier for their sound.
The best sound of a Double Bass for me (in a jazz setting) is very supportive and percussive and fills out the bottom end with a warm, round sound that does not intrude into the spectrum of the other instruments. It seems to me that when pick-ups and amplifiers are relied upon, the sound has more middle and top and lacks the supportive, warm bass.
Which leads me to sound reinforcement....
I'm very interested in people's experiences with miking double bass in a jazz setting. What do you use ? SM57, RE20, M88,?? small diaphram, large diaphram.. dynamic or condenser?
What EQing do you use if any?
I would also like to know if anyone has has success with clip-on bug mics.
Adam