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Old 09-04-2014, 01:01 PM
kchandlermusic kchandlermusic is offline
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Default Best way to mic an upright bass...

Title says it all. Curious what mics y'all use and how you mic the upright when recording. Is there any difference to how you approach arco vs. pizz?

What about soft players vs. heavy players? Are a combo of mics better?

Thanks!
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Old 09-04-2014, 04:14 PM
shtik shtik is offline
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Default Re: Best way to mic an upright bass...

Actually, there are so many variables on this... Depends on the style, taste and what you have available...

Generally, miking closer to the body or f holes yields a bit of a hyped up low end, while miking close to the upper area i.e. neck will reveal more clicks and fingering noises.

Miking from a little bit further or somewhat above the instrument will give you a more natural and balanced result, with more room sound.

You can use LDC's, SDC or ribbons or any combination of them with success - as long as you know which sound you would like to capture. Take your time and experiment.

With multi mic setup, making sure the phase relationship between the mics is as best as you can, double check polarity as you're adding them, otherwise you'll get thin and lifeless sounding instrument.

Hope that helps
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Old 09-05-2014, 08:37 PM
GregV GregV is offline
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Default Re: Best way to mic an upright bass...

Many players have installed piezo elements on the bridge of their bass. If the player has one I would listen to that first and then add a mic that provides the opposite.
For example - If the piezo is bright, use a dynamic mic on the f holes. But if the piezo is warm, use a condenser closer to the neck.
Combining the two should yield a nice result.
I hope that helps.
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Old 09-05-2014, 09:09 PM
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Eric Seaberg Eric Seaberg is offline
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Default Re: Best way to mic an upright bass...

As a bass player, and someone who has watched MASTERS do this over the last 50-years of my playing, try a good ribbon mic just over the bridge of the bass.

In my first days of playing sessions (at 13-years of age), the engineer had an RCA 44DX sitting at the bridge.

If you can't spend the $$$ for a 44DX, try one of the newer ribbons. Look at AEA ($$$) or Royer (almost as much), even a Sennheiser MD421 would sound really good at the same spot. Just watch for leakage from other instruments in the room.
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Old 09-06-2014, 03:05 PM
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Bob Olhsson Bob Olhsson is offline
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Default Re: Best way to mic an upright bass...

Nice thing about a 44 is that you can put the bass right next to the drummer and aim the mike's null at the drums. The bleed makes the drums sound absolutely wonderful.
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Old 09-09-2014, 08:39 AM
kchandlermusic kchandlermusic is offline
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Default Re: Best way to mic an upright bass...

Thanks everyone for the help and suggestions. I will see if I can score a ribbon from someplace and try some things out. Thanks!!
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Old 09-09-2014, 12:52 PM
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groundcontrol groundcontrol is offline
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Default Best way to mic an upright bass...

Can you rent in your area?
Check out the AEA line if available.

As much as I love a 44 on an upright, I've used anything from a KM84 squeezed under the bridge to a 47 alone or in combination with something else to an SM7. Always depending on context and desired tonality.

Listen and have fun!
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