hi okcomputer -

if the bass sounds good on its own, i've used everything from a tlm193 to a shure ksm32 with great results - that shure was perfect on one bass i did a year or so back. just put it up in front of the bass, maybe 1.5 feet in a straight line back from the end of the fingerboard, perfect. of course that was in the studio...

the other thing i've seen in the studio is a u87 about 6" from the bridge and just above it, pointed off to one of the f-holes, which seemed to get a great balance and TONS of low end (since it was aimed at the f-hole).

don't know how much of that will translate live, but that's what i've seen and used.

good luck, and let us know what works for you.

=a=

I like a large diaphragm condensor or a ribbon mic right around or just below the bridge. I find near the f-holes gives much too much low frequency, which I end up having to eq out. Try 3-6" from the strings. Moving up or down above and below the bridge will change how much finger noise you are adding or subtracting from the sound - ideal position will vary according to playing style and the instrument itself.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ok computer:
[QB]hi,
im doing a live recording at some place for a band with double bass, im pretty sure its got a pickup but just wondering if i should mic maybe the fretboard or something as ive never miced a double bass.
any1 got good mic techniques for a double bass?

I've heard miking the fingerboard sound pretty good, with a KM 184. Sticking a small dia OMNI condensor in betweeen the feet of the bridge, wrapped in foam, sounds good and you won't have the player wandering away from it, like you might if it's on a stand.

But what kind of music? If it's loud rock or rockabilly, you might want to mic the AMP, not the bass. Use a 421 or RE 20 or similar.

If it's quiet jazz all the other responses are good ones. Or mic the fingerboard. Or between the feet of the bridge.

Basically, take the mics available and use one that sounds good in a place that sounds good.

thanx for the help guys,

due to the splitter box having problems, we only had enough channels to record the bass DI. came out pretty good though except the low notes he plays really stand out and the higher notes are really thin. any mixing tips for this welcome.

thanx again!

not sure what style you were recording, but i find when doing jazz or similar styles, given a choice between the DI and a mic, i would take the mic every time. Unless you really need the isolation because the pianist, etc. is going to want to redo all his/her parts. Most bass pickups don't sound nearly as natural and pretty as the instrument itself.
But, too late for that, anyway. If you are really unhappy with the sound, try sending the track back out to a speaker and recording the speaker output with a mic back to another track. By getting some of the room, you may give it some life.