The key to a good bass track starts off with two critical components - a reasonable quality instrument and skill. Once you know you have those two ready, you can begin with the next important choice: do you go amp to mic or DI?

Going DI - The Basics

For those of you unfamiliar with the term, DI stands for “direct input” or “direct Injection,” which essentially means plugging in directly into a board. For most bass players, this is the preferred method for both live situations and recording, the main reason being the amount of control it offers their sound. For one, a bass plugged directly into a console responds really well to compression and EQ. It’s also the best way to get the “pure” sound of the bass, without any added tonal changes and variations added by an amplifier or mic.

DI Box

Speaking of going direct, there’s a little tool out there that goes hand in hand with the DI method - the aptly named DI Box (aka Direct Box). A DI box is a device plugged between the instrument and the board that creates electrical ground isolation between the two, matching the impedance of the bass signal and the board. What this means for bass players is that it gets rid of pesky line noise which makes the signal easier to control. A personal favorite of mine is the Pro D2 Stereo DI from Radial Engineering. There are plenty of other great choices out there. Head on over to our DI page for a good look at some killer choices. It’s easy to use and offers great signal handling without saturation, not to mention extremely low phase distortion in the all-important bass and mid regions. What that means for your signal is exceptional clarity and definition, all at a price point that makes them among the best value around for DI boxes.
prod2RADIAL Pro D2 Passive 2 Channel DI The Radial ProDI's are high-quality, full-range passive direct boxes equipped with custom made audio transformers for exceptional signal handling without saturation and with extremely low phase distortion in the critical bass and mid regions. Available in single-channel (ProDI) or dual-channel (ProD2) stereo, these exceptional direct boxes offer performance superior to any other DI's in their price range and are ideally suited for use with acoustic guitar, bass and keyboards.
 

Mic And Amp

While DI will remain king when it comes to recording bass tracks, there’s no rule that says you can’t lay down a killer track with a mic and amp. Obviously, this will come at a price, namely signal control and your bass’s natural sound. But if you’re feeling a little experimental or in need of some quick inspiration, recording a bass track with a mic and amp is a great way to change things up. Recording with this method will add the natural tonal characteristics of both the mic and amp to the sound of your bass. Placement is also important as where the mic is placed in relation to the bass amp will make a huge difference in sound. For example, moving the receiving end of the mic directly at the center of a speaker will give you brighter tones while a bit more to the side gives warmer, more subtle sounds. Whatever you decide, the key is to start with a proper microphone that is able to handle low-frequency sounds. The Heil Sound PR40 is a popular choice, as is the AKG D112 MK II.
pr40 (1)Heil Sound PR40 The Heil PR 40 represents completely new dynamic microphone technology designed for a wide range of professional applications such as sophisticated recording, live sound, and commercial broadcast. Producing the widest frequency range available in a dynamic microphone, the PR 40 outperforms most condenser microphones and can withstand huge amounts of SPL. At the same time, it maintains the 25 year Heil Sound tradition of superbly natural voice articulation.
 

The Right Choice?

Like so many other things when it comes to music, there are no rules that say you can't do one or the other (or a little of both) and end up with a great track. Personally, I would suggest newer players stick with the DI route as that offers the best control and a solid sound without too much effort. Those out there with a bit of experience recording and are willing to sacrifice a clean, untouched signal for the unique tonal characteristics that a good mic and bass combo can offer should certainly give it a shot. In the end, all that really matters is ... that it rocks!