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Choosing the Best Mic for Upright Bass – with Sound Samples
Description
There are lots of instruments that are challenging to mic and record. For me, the upright bass (or double bass) is right up near the top of that list. Part of the reason it’s so challenging to capture is due to the low-frequency range of the instrument. Then, there’s the real estate that the instrument covers (six feet tall and two feet wide). There are so many mic placements possible across the body and making even tiny changes in the mic position (as small as a quarter of an inch) can drasticaFirsthand experiences
Comments from forums and Reddit
Discussed in Teach an old dog how to record upright bass? in the TalkBass community
Hallic
For upright a large condenser or large ribbon microphone sounds best. there is an overwhelming amount of different mics. The Rode NT2a is a nice one, low noise, Very detailed an articulate(more of a modern sound). Then there are ribbons than can give a less dynamic but really pleasant 'vintage sound'. THe goldenage R1 mk3 ... ... more
Discussed in Ribbon Mic for Recording? in the TalkBass community
BassiklyAC
Been doing a fair amount of recording at home since the pandemic has arrived. While the electric is fairly straightforward; plug in, get a sound, go...the upright has some interesting ... ... more
Jared Houseman
When i did my album I had a fathead ribbon out infront of the f-hole 12-18in away and a sdc pointed at the fingerboard ... more
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