TwoTimesBass

Part of why Steely Dan recordings in particular are so well regarded is that there is minimal processing between what was recorded and what you hear. Essentially Point 2 above, plus great musicianship and engineering.

This is generally good advice for any recording session. Taking time to experiment with mic combinations and placement saves a ton of work trying to rescue a great performance when it comes to mixdown. Phase is especially important if you also mic the underside of the snare.

Agree with all that's been posted so far... Price being relative, i'd also recommend the Audix DP4 set of 4 mics. The D6 kick mic can make a sheet of cardboard sound like a convincing bass drum 😂 If 4 mics are an option i'd personally go for Kick, snare and a matched pair of stereo overheads arranged a big lower and in front of the kit. You can bias the overheads closer to the HH if it's important to the sound you're looking for. As Dad3353 mentioned above (and paraphrasing a bit), a good room is worth more than the number of mics you have...

About music and managing hangovers at least... Never got into the religious side 😀

I reckon I only got an A in Music because I was asked to play bass guitar for a church where my music teacher led the band. Stuck it out every Sunday morning for 9 months, and although it was tough given it was also the age I discovered drinking, I did learn a lot...

Hi folks, Desperately need a new set of strings, but as I haven't changed them in the 8 years I've had the bass (and not enough experience of different strings) I'm not sure where to go. Logic suggests I just put Spiros on so i've got a benchmark feel for the bass with an industry standard string, but i think I've got a very old set of Innovation Honey's at the moment and i'm also interested in trying the Super Silvers or Silver Slaps based on nothing more than Youtube really. Anyone got anything to trade so I can try some options before I buy? £50ish for a used but not knackered set of Spiro Light, Super Silver or Silver Slaps/Honeys etc? Happy to sell them back, posted with an extra £10 for your trouble if they don't work for me? Bass also needs to go in for a setup, but I'd like an idea of where i'm going string-wise before it goes to the menders and I commit to a new set. I'm playing mostly folk/cajun/americana/early blues/light jazz, but slap-ablility isn't something I need, solid roots and fifths rather than soaring sustain if that makes sense. Thanks guys, what you got?

If they came frosted it might improve the image of me gurning into a mic...

Good thread... Was taught 'classical' Double Bass from 8-16, hated the individual lessons, could never be arsed to practice, but loved playing in youth orchestras and being part of the bigger sound playing with others. Didn't touch a DB from 16 y/o until I was 32, and love the instrument now. Was never exposed to what jazz/folk/blues could be on the bass... In retrospect the only reason i'm vaguely competent these days is the technique and theory i learned at school. Same with piano, had lessons but my parents were informed I was "unteachable". Teacher love Haydn, I wanted to be Ben Folds/Elton John/Victoria Wood/Les Dawson... Still play to a reasonable standard, can busk along with most things, and still love the piano. Great music dept at school though, they turned a blind eye to me skipping classes to hang out in the music dept, messing around with multitrack tapes/early computer programs/PA/mics, which is essentially my career 20 years later 😫

Mmm... feedback...

Latency is subjective below 10ms generally. If you take the speed of sound as roughly 1 foot per m/s in air, in a typical gig situation you're usually not more than 10 feet from your amp so it's not something you should notice?

Yes, delivery is pricey if you're only buying on-off cables, it's the same price for up to 30kg. They supply some of the big PA companies, i was recommended them as an alternative to VDC when we were doing a big cable order.

Agreed! I was able to wind mine down from 'Rockabilly' when I got my bass 😁

Could be the 2.4ghz band is congested in your area at the times when it isn't working? It's a busy part of the RF spectrum these days with WiFi/smart home devices etc. That's the downside of the cheaper technology relative to pro RF solutions. The Ammoon website does say it only works with passive or piezo instruments, but an active bass still shouldn't cause damage .

+1 for this. Plus: Steely Dan - Everything Must Go John Martyn's cover of Glory Box James Taylor - Line 'Em Up

Choice is ultimately what you prefer but I second the M-Audio Keystation suggestion plus either Air DB-33 or Native Instruments Vintage Organs plugins. Much more versatility for less money...

I've had a similar conversation with a friend recently who is replacing the bridge on an old Selmer DB with an adjustable bridge he's ordered. Have you done a bridge fitting before Jus? I mean no disrespect to your skill or experience on basses, but shaping a new bridge is a heluva job and I ran a mile when my mate asked for advice 😓

To drag us away from physics for a moment and give my 2 cents to @stewblack 's OP; no, I'd ignore the spec's. As we've seen here there's a lot of interpretation involved and no real ISO or BS standard test that manufacturers subscribe to for the published info. In the day job I've spec'd a lot of PA for hire and capital purchase clients, and it always comes down to three things. Can they afford it, can they lift it, do they like the way it sounds? Price, practicality and performance... And if you're not sure beg, borrow and steal to get all the contenders the same room, with you plugged in playing your bass, and then decide. And once you've purchased neither evangelize for, nor take any criticism against your choice 😁

Yes, both are balanced so you need TRS jacks and suitable cable, something like this https://directcablesystems.com/professional-stereo-jack-to-jack.html

Ditto jack-to-jack option, but the connections are likely to be balanced so you'd be better with TRS jacks and cable rather than a guitar lead if the input on the monitors are balaced too...

Oh man! I'm furloughed and I've left my accordion at work... 😫

Feels like Prohibition where there's a gig in every speakeasy for those willing to take the risk...

Yeah, i have no kids and i love my music and pubs... But enlightening and educating the next generation seems a fair trade at the moment

It's a very good point, and actually pushes the choice toward those who are looking at presenting gigs. Either the gig is conducted in a safe and secure way (as some folks have demonstrated on this thread) or it's someone taking a chance with all the consequences that brings. It's more about the professionalism of those running the venue (risk assessment/control measures etc) than the talent on stage assuming the band are all doing their bit and willing to comply.

Yes agreed Dad3353, I'm not sure at what point in my freelance career I became professional, but I know that I am in that role. That said it's never black and white, and for a lot of folks a well paid gig ever weekend isn't just pocket money, it makes a real difference.