Recording a Bass Guitar Through an Amplifier
Connect a quarter-inch instrument cable to the cable input on the bass guitar. Connect the other end to the input on the bass amplifier. Turn the volume knobs of the bass guitar and amp until the bass can be heard at a reasonable frequency.
Place a microphone 6 to 12 inches in front of the amplifier. Listen to the amp as the bass is played and find the best-sounding speaker. Place the mic in front of it.
Point the mic directly at the speaker for the brightest-sounding tone. Angle it slightly to one side for a warmer tone.
Connect a mic cable to the microphone. Connect the other end of the cable to your recording interface's input.
Turn the volume or fader on your recording interface until the bass guitar can be heard through headphones or recording monitors.
Set the equalization function on the recording interface or computer software program to get the bass tone that sounds best.
Play a few notes on the bass guitar to ensure the sound registers at a proper level on the recording interface. Too much volume will cause the sound to distort (also known as clipping). Too little volume will make it difficult to hear the bass guitar.
Press "record" on the recording interface or program.
Recording a Bass Guitar by Direct Input
Connect a quarter-inch instrument cable to the cable input on the bass guitar. Connect the other end of the cable to the input on a direct input (DI) box. Connect a second cable (1/4 inch or XLR cable, depending on the model) from the output jack on the DI box. Connect the other end to the input on your recording interface.
Turn the volume knobs on the bass guitar, DI box, and recording interface until the bass can be reasonably heard through headphones or recording monitor speakers.
Set the equalization function on the recording interface or computer software program to get the bass tone that sounds best.
Play a few notes on the bass guitar ensure the sound registers at a proper level on the recording interface. Too much volume will cause the sound to distort (also known as clipping). Too little volume will make it difficult to hear the bass guitar.
Press "record" on the recording interface or program.