The Easiest Way To Record Your Bass Guitar | Reverb

How can bass guitarists, producers, engineers, etc. get great, full-sounding bass recordings right at home? Jake's in the studio with a trio of ideas to make your low-key bass brilliance shine.
Read More on Reverb: goo.gl/RXvUPV
Bass Lessons from Jake: goo.gl/GCFx7s
Tips on Recording Synth: goo.gl/sGFqAp
Tips on Recording Acoustic Guitar: goo.gl/1r81xK
Tips on Recording Electric Guitar: goo.gl/kBgZ1x
Tips on Recording Podcasts: goo.gl/Rbb23u
Tips on Setting up a PA System: goo.gl/cb4ZwP
0:00 - Intro
1:08 - Direct
2:46 - Mic The Amp
5:02 - DI
5:48 - Blend DI & Microphone

[@Breakbeats92.5]

Aspiring producers, don't spend 10 years trying to figure out what setup is best for you. Get a laptop, get an interface and start recording, period. I don't care if it sounds like crap. Hendrix didn't didn't come up with "Purple Haze" the day after he picked up a guitar. RUN DMC didn't write "Sucker MC's" an hour after they figured out how to rap. It's a process, and time will arm you with everything you need. Just keep doing it. Every pro was once a beginner and every veteran was once a rookie.

[@patrickr12342]

Wise words. It depends on place, money, etc... I agree with you.

[@PanoramaUnion]

[@vinisasso]

True, but we don't want our recordings to sound like crap, right?

[@klutchdn]

Writing music as a beginner is writing Shakespeare as a monkey with a typewriter

[@StamatisStabos]

give that man a glass of water :b

[@nigelroman6867]

i was hoping someone would have something funny to read in the comments and this was perfect...lol

[@marcelomendesvfx]

looks like he want to burp

[@arissp4950]

he looks like he drunk his ass off the previous night

[@mateocasanovas8505]

I thought I was the only one! every time he swallows I can hear it twice as loud and he always smacks after, so annoying.

[@EoMarcos]

EXACTLY hahahaha!

[@carloszagal1934]

just what I needed! Thanks reverb and Jake you are a fantastic bassist!

[@Breakbeats92.5]

Look at how big the wave forms are when he plugs in the direct interface versus the other times he plays. The wave forms are much bigger. It's always good to make sure your wave forms are big, not so big that they are clipping (giving the recording device more information than they can handle) because if they are small, the space around them that is not occupied represents un wanted noise. Remember: it's easy to turn a loud signal down, it's difficult to make a weaker sound, sound loud.

[@sn1ffy85]

thats why im here!!! always a question of "the wave form big enough?"

[@bassimprovjams3772]

Jake i really enjoy the way you talk into the camera and the pace you speak at, you don't talk to fast, and you speak as if you truly want people to understand what you are trying to say. I've watched some of your other videos and I really enjoy listening to you, thanks for the great bass recording tips. And thanks for using that anniversary stinger!

[@danielbatista449]

Congratulations on the bass videos. Excellent production and content.

[@MrLucasArias4]

This was an awesome video. Thorough yet concise.

[@SoctheBASStard]

awesome video, exactly what I was looking for (I now record directly into the bass, on the SD card, with an integrated kaoss pad, and I'm not hearing the bass when I do - playing it unplugged). Just got an amp and have a Shure SM57 on the way. So glad to see the mic is good for this. Thank you for your videos!

[@HiggsMusicOfficial]

Really helpful for a low-key beginner on bass like myself. Thank you!

[@lens3973]

Wonderful video! Very informative and easy to follow

[@bassimprovjams3772]

I'm trying to get into this and you are helping so much I definitely love the amp and DI especially with the stingray

[@ClydeneBalkeMusic]

Great info!!! thank you for sharing your expertise and knowledge. This was very clear and concise.

[@jkees6751]

The best purchase I've ever made was the Tech 21 SansAmp programmable bass driver DI. I've been using it for just over 10 years now and I don't have any complaints. I highly recommend it. It has controls for drive, bass, treble, presence, blend and level. It has 3 programmable presets that can be saved and switched instantly with 3 metal foot switches, more like toe-pedals, and it's built in a metal case, so it's essentially a programmable DI foot pedal. You can split the signal since it has 1/4" output (with 1/4" boost button) and XLR output (with XLR out pad button). Built very sturdy, no problems even after 10 years of use.

[@ThrashRebel]

I just use my Jamvox with Garageband or Audacity. Jamvox is made for guitar, but I just turn off all effects & adjust the amp settings. Anything that might sound odd I can fix in mixing. Note: for anyone who isn’t familiar with mic placement. Near center gets you more highs & high mids. Toward the outer portion of a cone you are going to get more low tones. I always put my mics in between the center & edge.

[@m.jorquera]

Great video Jake 💯🙏🏾

[@GaryDGuitar]

Just let your soul glo, baby! Feelin' oh so silky smooth!

[@patriciadc]

Great video. Thank you!

[@carlmontney7916]

The old reliable standards still work great. SM57 for instruments. SM58 for vocals. Priced right, plentiful on the used market, and pretty much bulletproof. My 57 and 58 were bought back in the 70's and have seen decades of use in all types of environments and still work as good as the day I opened the boxes. Don't underestimate an old Shure.

[@JakeStrange66]

☝️ This!! ☝️ I'm also tired of everything about recording music is using DAWs. Try making good sounding music without a DAW. I did it for years & still do. So when I tried, even for the first time, to record on a computer, using Audacity of all things, it was super easy to get a good sounding recording. I couldn't get any other DAWs to work, so I can only imagine it's super simple to record great sounding music effortlessly. I still don't like using computers though. I guess it just a personal thing...I like a more hands on process.

[@jockojohn3294]

What works best for me is I write the bass part, I send or take the music over to my friends place, he plays & records it. Somehow it always comes out real nice ....... :)

[@ZachScruggs]

Good advice.

[@RockWeller]

Great tips!

[@GearOfDarkness]

Cool explanation, espacially for beginners / people who want to start home recording in general actually. I don't get some of the negativ comments. The video is understandable, has basically no unnecessary sentences and shows examples. Sure it's a bit of advertisement, but that's okay imo. Soundwise everybody likes different things and this isn't supposed to be an in-depth recording and mixing/mastering tutorial. It's just how to record easily and it hit's the spot.

[@ilpatongi]

The negative feedback is mainly because none of the methods result in a good bass tone, at least not in this case.

[@VEGAN-X]

VERY CONCISE THANKS KEEP IT UP

[@DavidSollows]

What about Reaper for a DAW option? Super powerful, and a great deal!

[@JustusVidyo]

great deal of 0€

[@Ben59910]

Cakewalk is free

[@louie8604]

Audacity

[@giuliano8031]

Justus Bacon It costs 60$, the trial version only lasts 1440 hours, or 60 days (it only counts when the program is opened, not how long you have it on your computer, which is excellent).

[@Geissson]

@@giuliano8031 Even after the trial period you can keep using it for free, Reaper is WinRAR of DAW-softwares

[@karatepanda1]

Very useful and informative video! Thanks for the tips! Keep up the good work!

[@detlevgebers]

Very good Video!

[@nikolaikitanov9996]

Thanu you very much!

[@VeraB4ss]

awesome!

[@patrickcarroll1754]

Reverb, you are lucky to have Jake on your team.

[@McDoinky]

Patrick Carroll Really? I kind of wish they’d get a better bassist who doesn’t talk like a text-to-speech program

[@electorize]

Cakewalk by Bandlab as a DAW is the best option, professional and free!

[@barahkaafi]

When you directly plug in the bass into the interface. Does the volume knob in the bass have to be full?

[@dos_mas_805]

That Ernie Ball Stingray 5 white with tort shell p-guard looks great!

[@marike1100]

I'd say of the low cost audio interfaces mentioned, the Steinberg UR22 is significantly nicer to use than those mentioned. Also, Logic ships with a bass amp plugin.

[@khalim12]

sorry for my ignorance - what does 'ship' mean in this context?

[@JaberLaser]

@@khalim12 In this context, it means that the bass amp plugin is included in Logic.

[@EC2727]

Did the bass tone sound really...bad? Or am I the only one thinking that? Never once have I heard a bass tone like that in any of their other videos haha it sounds exactly like he said you want to avoid, like it’s clipping or something.

[@cornerliston]

Sounds as what we hear is a recording of their monitors so there's quite a lot of the room sound in the video. And yes there seems to be a distortion somewhere in the chain. The signal doesn't clip in Logic so it must be somewhere before that... Weird.

[@BullHorn7]

It sounds like he's using flatwound strings and/or cut the highs on the bass' EQ completely.

[@ThePickledOnions]

Yes sounded shite.

[@morioh6505]

It sounded like when you use a digital octave pedal on a guitar to make it one octave down

[@MojoGil]

OMG yes, the DI + Amp setup WTFFFF, awful sound, worst in the vid omg

[@chicharones9640]

When you talk about investing in some plugins, what are those? are those like emulated sounds (pedals)??? i see that you name a few, do they work with the programs you mentionned like garage band, logic pro or Ableton?

[@onzkicg]

Aahh beautiful bass! I already own a Jazz bass, Ibanez atk 5 string- but that one: the colour, proportions is just sexy! Thanks for recording tips! I’m surprised that I like the DI recording better.

[@adityarao5721]

what model of stingray bass is that? can i get it on sweet water? i want that same colour

[@andijepunk8223]

SO Great!!! Whats Ampli used ?

[@SeverinoSE]

You completely demystified bass recording for me and everyone, thanks! Just one question, please. Can I use the line out from my tube amp for a direct signal? There's the tube preamp in the amp which I'd like to use. Thanks!

[@GregConquest]

If the passthrough from your amp is still instrument level, then yeah. You could put it directly into an interface that has an instrument level input (the XLR/TRS combo input he used in this video). You could also still use your amp going out to an active DI box after the amp to get a mic-level signal over a balanced cable, with the ground lift ability to break any ground loops. If your amp's passthrough is line level, then you'll need to confirm your interface has a line level input -- or use a DI box that can accept line level.

[@kioumarssaffary6189]

I have a Question. I really don't like the direct recording from interface alone. specially when it's come to playing some slaps and pops now, i like to know, can i get a bass cab and get the output to the cab and mic for recording? (plug in guitar to interface, and and record out of the cab with mic) because you know i compare some budget amp, with interface preamp and honestly i couldn't find any different.

[@sathyanarayanan9997]

Hi, at present I have an iRIG2 that I connect on the one side to my bass guitar and on the other side to MAC/garageband. However I do have a good Laney RB2 that has a DI output. I also have a XLR to USB cable. Can I connect the DI output of the Laney RB2 to the MAC/garageband and record?

[@grandentrance7270]

Wait, so i unplug the xlr out from the DI and do what? Line to input of di, then how does the di connevt to the interface?

[@enriquecienfuegos6677]

Does this Interface work for Active Bass? I just got the Scarlett 2i2 Gen3 and it works fine with a Passive bass but I can’t make it to work with an Active bass, Any advice?

[@NoCoverCharge]

I use that same di into my Scarlett focusrite interface and get a great sound every time

[@swee2140]

What volume do you have your instrument at? The knob on the bass itself?

[@Not_Lewis]

I have had issues with the gain on my focusrite almost off, a little bit more towards 8-9oclock and still having bad clipping issues. Any tips?

[@YouSeeSorrows]

For DAWs, see also Reaper. Free trial, only $50 for a license.

[@josegsoy]

Can I create drums on it?

[@380stroker]

@@josegsoy Hell no. Reaper sucks dude.

[@kingdeedee]

380stroker it's a good option if all you're doing is recording. But you can just as well use Audacity for that

[@Noone-of-your-Business]

Actually, that price is more like in Euros. In dollars, it is 60.

[@christophervaca7116]

@@josegsoy yes.

[@ZvikaDror]

Banjolele in the back? Thanks for the video, my Son will use the same direct setup as you did - cheers!

[@shawnm.4020]

If u want to mic the amp do you plug into a computer or interface?

[@derodepaprika4574]

so you put approx. 40%-45% gain on the input on the interface. But i think, what you're not saying is at what level you have the gain-knob on the base guitar itself?

[@NICUofficial]

with all these options, the #1 thing I need to do first is thoughtfully consider the emotional goals of the track. For example, I'm currently producing a song called "Forgiveness" for NICU's first album. Like the title, it's all about the pain and redemption of trying to apologize and hoping to be forgiven. So at first instead of thinking "DI-this, Preamp-that" I'm thinking "heavy heart, fear of rejection, guilt, sorrow" - how can I produce a bass tone that SOUNDS like those feelings? And then from there, trying to find the correct tools in my kit to help achieve that. If you're a songwriter/producer/true player, you know what I mean. Otherwise I probably sound ridiculous :) thanks for these tips to help me on my way

[@jasphermontifar615]

can you directly plug the di to the computer without an amp?

[@jsj8835]

Beginner here... can i just use a 1/4 cable from the di to the audio interface?or shoud i use an xlr cable? Im using a scarlett solo so my option is to use 1/4 cable cause the xlr input is showing mic use only i guess :-( thanks in advance!!

[@drewjonespdx]

can you show me a side by side comparison of the $159 interface vs the $900?

[@EMB75]

What about these xlr2usb cables (described as microphone cables)?

[@LRayWilliams]

Can you record directly into your DAW using FX pedals?

[@LaBiblia802]

I just want to keep it simple and record from bass to amp, DI and laptop. Do you think would be a good way? My bass is cheap and want to use my amp to EQ output

[@gemarendrahadi2147]

its enough from my experience.. maybe i would recomend you to buy some bass compressor pedal to make your bass not peak

[@jayb684]

Do I need an amp? Or can I just hear the sound through my headphones with the Scarlett? Not trying to wake my neighbors up :/

[@F4ncySu1tan]

Is it possible to use an amp as a middleman between the bass and the interface? Or am I just dumb and that's exactly what he did in the first place?

[@estrabinsqui]

When will be a new episode of Potent Pairings?

[@BassSouthwest]

what cable are you using to plug in?

[@gerryk9]

Where is the phase correction on garage band? Pro tools? Logic? Etc. Thx

[@waitomo1996]

How about a tutorial on how to deal with the latency problem? That would be helpful. If I run my backing track and bass through the DI, there is major lag. There a hundreds of videos on KZbin but nobody is actually giving a tutorial on how to deal with this.

[@necurrence1776]

I've read on some active bass reviews that they don't work with the interface. Something something signal too hot bla bla, is this true? Can't you just roll back the interface gain?

[@vladimirbustamante3692]

Very useful, thanks a lot! I Wonder if you can record it by using a multi effect pedal, let's say Zoom B3n?

[@jasoncarraway966]

vladimir bustamante yes you can. I got some pretty decent results from using my Zoom pedal. It’s nice to be able to load up some pedal sims with the Zoom then be able to record that tone.

[@carlomolina576]

3:25 thank you!

[@elvisfabricio9765]

Hi! What cable jack do you use for connect the bass into the audio interface?

[@alanglasgowbassist]

Elvis Fabricio Standard 1/4 inch instrument cable

[@TimeWobblers]

Does it really make any difference to switch a guitar to a pc like guitar -> amp -> interface? Or adding an amp doesn't make a difference there?

[@inexternalrecords]

The amp provides a different sound. The way they are built, each amp adds it's own signature to the tone. You don't need the amp, all that matters is that you like the sound of your instrument. I input my bass directly to my interface but would like the option to have a mic'd amp setup, too.

[@heartslimes1825]

I think the straight up 57 blew the other options out of the water

[@evandijk1983]

Thats one hell of a nice bass guitar

[@artemmedvedev8409]

Native Instruments Guitar Rig - the best one☝️

[@AndreaBaggio]

ever tried the Positive Grid software? Bias FX? Bias Amps? I used to use Guitar Rig, but I think Bias FX is a little better

[@fredm661]

Do DAWs come with plug ins????..sorry I'm new to this and I'm trying to educate myself

[@ALBERTOGARCIA-nk9bo]

Nice video! How can I check my latency settings?

[@jeremisahala1316]

pls ans this

[@Noone-of-your-Business]

Or, instead of blowing a minimum of $300 on software alone, you can use Cockos Reaper with free plugins like Native Instruments Supercharger or Nova EQ, amounting to a ridiculous total of $60. And yes, there are reasons why some professionals are switching from Pro Tools to Reaper.

[@gontran36]

Hello, i'm very new to all this an i'm considering getting Reaper, is it simple to us or would you say you need to have some kind of experience to get the hand on it ? Thank you very much.

[@LeeGee]

Cakewalk is free

[@ibrahimozkan9303]

is it possible connect amplifier to computer?

[@hgaubaul]

If I have a passive bass and a passive DI. Is it ok to use it with my audio interface along with my keyboard?

[@ZachScruggs]

It's typically recommended to use an active DI with passive pickups and vice versa, but it's not a strict rule. You can plug any instrument level signal into a DI and you will get a balanced signal out.

[@ianto3540]

Not sure if this is a dumb question, but would it be okay to use a pedal such as a sansamp before going into the DI?

[@DVVVDM]

Anything that would normally go into the front of an amp can go into a DI as well. The one thing you don’t ever want to do is to have the speaker out from an amp head go into a DI.

[@PseudoLlama]

Is there a budget option?

[@lexcrawford3839]

Is there any stock amp options in logic that sound good? or are they all so awful that they weren't worth mentioning?

[@darkskinwhite]

its said that a bass wave needs 11ft to fully develop so how does micing an amp right up next to it like that work? one of these things has to be untrue right? lol

[@jameslewis2635]

1) Purchase Rocksmith 2014 with realtone cable 2) Get a DAW package installed on your PC 3) Use the realtone cable to record into your DAW (using ASIO for all if required) 4) Use amp and effect simulations through your DAW software to get the tone you want.

[@zekeschriver1554]

James Lewis yeah but your sound is only limited to 48 kbs which is super low and meh sounding. I did the same thing you did for my cover over Beverly Hills by Weezer. It sounds alright but I’m a more lead role or you are getting paid to play bass, I would definitely use the money instead of buying $20 for rock smith and $30 for a cable and get a Behringer Uphoria UM2 and the Pyle-Pro PDMIC78 and use that and it sounds really goood.

[@beepbeep2446]

Is the Shure SM57 as good as people say? It’s really used for everything. The only person I haven’t seen hype it up is Steve Albini

[@abimaelmartell]

It is, it works on almost everything

[@turquoise997]

the 57 it's been more used in voice, snare drums and guitars

[@ZachScruggs]

It's worth it

[@AllisonSFelix]

Alternatively, if you already have an amp and no money, you could just buy a 6.35mm to 3.5mm cable then conect your instrument to the amp with a regular cable then the amp to computer via the aforementioned 6.35mm to 3.5mm cable. A cable is way cheaper than mics and many other things.

[@kathleenk5438]

You just saved me money. Thank you for this!

[@tleeaf8570]

CLA 76 or 3A?

[@0x00A5]

Great content, thank you! BTW, did he eat too much for lunch that day?

[@christopherrusch]

ah, king

[@justineanjellogragasin868]

When i record mine it doesnt have any sound

[@whiskeymike8010]

Great video. I wish it had more views. Maybe then everyone wouldn't be so uptight. If you are angry listening or making music, then change your tune. 🙃

[@dadsonanand5820]

There is always noise when I’m using audio inferface, directly into normal amp no noise,hiss... how can I take away the noise in recording? Bass is good, no problem with internals, (noise reduces when I touch bass strings while recording) probably ground issue with interface?

[@apaulsopaul]

No audio interface should produce noise unless its broken. Are your pickups single coils or humbucker? If it's single coil, you might want to us a gate or just have the volume of both the neck and bridge pickup the same so they act as a humbucker.

[@dadsonanand5820]

@@apaulsopaul thanks, there is no problem when direct recording acoustic guitar, even mic, noise is there only using bass guitar. And if i keep my fingers over the strings or over the interface itself, the noise reduces.. it's a Yamaha bass, , i guess it's a humbucker

[@jesseobeneta7390]

First you need to make a tutorial on how to make money to buy this equipment

[@zekeschriver1554]

Um get a job just like everyone else??

[@aristianagunawan5998]

Hahaaahaha

[@subscribetobanbasstabs2599]

this is all cheap gear...

[@joshuavelazquez8303]

Jesse Obeñeta 😂😂

[@reidgowan2670]

Garage band is free with apple products, and you can get a $99 interface and that’s all you really need

[@jadonx]

I didn't think you would need a DI box in front of a focusrite scarlet interface?

[@crux6331]

theres no sound when i connect with a m audio interface

[@ArvelJoffi]

Cruxes Go to Settings > Sound and make sure the USB interface is selected for both the input and output. And for best computer performance, make sure the interface is plugged in before you start tour computer, and try not to run any other programs or apps other than your DAW.

[@JonahCBR]

" you can plug straight into the D.I of your interface, or use a D.I. and plug it into your interface..." To this day, I still don't understand why I would want to use an external D.I. when my Apollo twin and virtually every single interface already has one built-in.

[@GregConquest]

It can eliminate a ground loop, and it allows you to run a balanced cable for longer distances, giving you a mic-level end to plug into your interface. An unbalanced cable, like a regular guitar cable, can pick up interference from other cables nearby. Your interface can't do anything about those problems. And having all mic-level inputs keeps your interface/mixer simple, and using balanced cables keeps RF noise away. One important thing not mentioned in this video: you should use an *active* DI box for an electric guitar or bass, not a passive DI box. The power comes from a 9V battery in the DI box or from phantom power in your audio interface. Passive DI boxes are used with electric keyboards, electric drum kits, or any other powered instrument that puts out line level (electric acoustic guitars, I think, would also use an active DI box, though I am not sure).

[@canaanlawrence7351]

Is this Ted Mosby from college???

[@nasserhajiah]

Canaan Lawrence he’s •doctor.X• the bass player

[@shoguLIVE]

Is audicity for recording also okay?

[@user-fo3yt1jq6n]

not really, it is not optimized for music recording and can be hard to work with i reccomend reaper or cakewalk, both free daw

[@shoguLIVE]

@@user-fo3yt1jq6n Thanks a lot dude i tried it and it works very well !

[@WeZte]

tech21 has amp sim

[@fart_cannon]

soo you're saying I shouldn't use my amp phone out as an interface and record through audacity like a borderline hobo? aw

[@ChuyitoChams]

Lol that's exactly what I do. That's why I'm here!

[@keps_ksk]

Haha basically me

[@Ben59910]

Amp phone out is better than going straight in to an interface without a DI box

[@LeeGee]

@@Ben59910 Unless your interface has a half-decent preamp, as do the Focusrites when used well

[@Ben59910]

@@LeeGee yeah, it seems it's best to just use both a direct interface and a mic

[@skateborg]

Good practical tips for a basic start on understanding how to record an electric bass into a computer DAW. Never mind the #shadethrowers below. They're all jealous of your job. ;-)

[@bassimprovjams3772]

I see a stingray i click!!

[@ImTooAbstract]

My waveforms are nowhere that big when I play directly into my Scarlett, what gives? I have my gain set to almost the maximum on the interface 😭

[@techmiter6299]

Sounds like the signal is being degraded somewhere before reaching your interface, which could be caused by a number of things.

[@fabianbence5289]

Battalion is recommended but Sansamp is not?...

[@McDoinky]

Fábián Bence Guess they had to plug it

[@astabaker9421]

If anyone's looking for an affordable DAW, I recommend Reaper