screentan wrote:
I know it's unlikely to happen, but I would love to sit in on a
mixing
session with a top industry recording pro to try and learn how these
guys get that lovely, deep, full, warm, tight, well rounded and even
slighty spacious bass sound on so many contemporary albums these
days,
particularly dance music. It just sits in the mix perfectly with such
richness and doesn't overpower even modest PC speakers.

Before you get down on yourself, don't forget you're listening to a
mastered mix. Your bass tracks would probably sound a lot better after
they were mastered by Ted Jensen.

A great engineer can do wonders with crappy gear, but the best gear can
make a huge difference. I recorded a couple of bass players using
Fodera basses in the same week. They're not my ideal sound, but for a
fusion sound they are so easy to record. So first, start with the
instruement.

Second, transformers. Use a pre with a transformer and that will make a
big difference. Also distortion. I've like both the FATSO and the
Chandle EMI compressor in THD mode for adding a richeness to a DI'd
bass. I pretty much use a dual DI system now. One side is big and woofy
like and amp - SansAmp to tube pre. The other is a traditional DI. The
both go through the FATSO to tape and I compress the woofy side a bit.
Then I've got an simulated amp with DI, but no pahse issues.

From there you need to have good mix comrpession. you want to let the
transient though, and then squash the signa. So your attack time might
be a little slower than you think. Also, a fast acting comrpessto, like
a JFET on a slow setting will work well, so that you get a quick
squash, after you let the attack through. Then you need a quick release
to allow the compressor to open up for the next note.

EQ wise, you need lows, but not the low lows. High pass filter around
40hz or 50 if you've got a Neve. Play around with 100 hz cut or boost
and also 400hz (same). That's where you'll shape you body. The
definition and punch comes much higher. Sometimes 1k, sometimes 3k
sometimes 10k.

There aren't any rules, but try the EQ both before and after
compression. Or try cutting before compression and boosting after.
A few ideas to experiment with.....