Bass Not Cutting Through The Mix

[Al Krow]

On 26/12/2025 at 12:30, chris_b said:

Lots of good ideas for working with your current gear. . . . but, how about buying a better bass, or a good preamp pedal to add more clarity and definition to your sound.

 

Agreed that a good pre-amp pedal, whether as a standalone or as part of a multifx, could make a positive difference, particularly if it also has decent EQ options that aren't available on the bass, amp, or desk.

 

A "better bass" is a can of worms though! Could potentially be money very poorly spent, particularly if the OP is already happy with his current bass.

[TimR]

41 minutes ago, Bill Fitzmaurice said:

That applies to bass players as well. Full lows and moderate mids sounds great, be it at home or when playing alone on stage. But it's not always that way when the full band kicks in, nor when you go out into the room. 

 

It applies to all instruments. 

 

Keyboard players who insist on being in stereo and drummers who expect their kick drum to knock down tall buildings. 

[Al Krow]

28 minutes ago, TimR said:

 

It applies to all instruments. 

 

Keyboard players who insist on being in stereo and drummers who expect their kick drum to knock down tall buildings. 

 

One of the massive advantages of having everything going through the desk & FoH? And if the venue says can you turn it down a bit / take it up you can oblige at the push of a slider.

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

Keyboard players who lean heavily on the lower keys are the worst. It turns everything to mud. They're supremely guilty of playing what sounds best when they're alone. 

[Owen]

I did a choir gig recently. Two keys players, one kit and me on bass. 

 

The conductor wanted the pianist to just play a rhythmic pattern above middle C. The kit/bass section were laying down a solid groove. She tried 3 times, but was still playing something an octave + below middle C to give her something to syncopate against. The conductor said 3 times "no, just the rhythmic thing". Eventually, I put my bass down, walked over and told her to play it again. I held her left hand and lifted it away from the keyboard and the magic happened. To make it EVEN sweeter, I have been waiting 42 years to do this with this specific player.

 

Keyboard players are clueless. Ones who actually understand a band dynamic/make up are like gold dust.