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pclifton2004
Member
Username: pclifton2004

Post Number: 70
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - 1:23 am:   Edit Post

Anyone plug their bass straight into their computer? I only have USB or firewire inputs - what is the best way of 'hooking up' or will I never get reasonable quality?
darkstar01
Advanced Member
Username: darkstar01

Post Number: 356
Registered: 6-2005
Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - 1:50 am:   Edit Post

I used to use this thing called a Gio made by Apogee. It works really well, actually. It's listed at $400 on the apple website (that's where I bought mine). I had a lot of fun with it, though. I'd say it's well worth the money. Simple to use and it works through any USB port. You can use all the effects Garageband has, and kind of make up some of your own. I used it as an effects pedal for a few gigs with my laptop (and a bass).
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 2004
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - 2:31 am:   Edit Post

I use an older Protools TDM system with a direct box . If your computer has PCI slots a high end PCI sound card with a direct box in the signal chain will result in a quality recording . If you only have Fire Wire or USB then i suggest going with a firewire interface rather then USB . You can snag an Apogee DUET used or perhaps a Presonus FIREBOX or a Motu TRAVELER MK3 used . The Motu has 8 inputs . Make sure that you use a direct box (DI) in the signal chain . I like a Passive unit such as a Proco DB-1 .Don't get the cheapest model DI that you can find if you get the DI new.

Sonic Regards !

(Message edited by sonicus on August 23, 2011)
darkstar01
Advanced Member
Username: darkstar01

Post Number: 357
Registered: 6-2005
Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - 3:33 am:   Edit Post

yeah if you're running pro tools, don't use a gio. because that's something entirely different. if you're just running garageband, di's are pretty unnecessary.
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 2005
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - 7:06 am:   Edit Post

Garage Band will NOT correct a hardware impedance mismatch !
Use a DI for the optimum results !
fc_spoiler
Senior Member
Username: fc_spoiler

Post Number: 1301
Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - 8:00 am:   Edit Post

I use a Line 6 POD studio GX when recording with my Laptop (not Mac, but I think it works for Mac as well)
Love it, no latency and decent sound (some amp simulations for bass and lots of effects)
Tried it live once, that was no succes... :-)

Distorted (Ampeg) sound and clean with chorus sound: Youtube link and screenshots of settings used in vid
adriaan
Moderator
Username: adriaan

Post Number: 2846
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - 9:46 am:   Edit Post

I have the Line6 UX1 that I made some test recordings with (links in my post #2732 on this thread). You're hearing the dry signal out of the POD, into the standard Windows sound recorder.

From the standard line-up of amps available in that smart little box my favourite is the Marshall Super Lead head, especially for bass - and I'm not even trying to sound like Herman Deinum!
briant
Senior Member
Username: briant

Post Number: 596
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - 12:46 pm:   Edit Post

The simple "fix" for your situation is a DI of some sort with a USB interface. Like this thing.
darkstar01
Advanced Member
Username: darkstar01

Post Number: 358
Registered: 6-2005
Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - 1:55 pm:   Edit Post

yeah, that's exactly what the Gio is. just sayin'.
briant
Senior Member
Username: briant

Post Number: 597
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - 3:04 pm:   Edit Post

I dig.
terryc
Senior Member
Username: terryc

Post Number: 1674
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - 3:27 pm:   Edit Post

Zoom B1u..comes with Cubase LE, straight into PC via USB, although being an idiot on recording processes I haven't got around to using it.
I find recording a pain as I get sick of listening to the same stuff I recorded, prefer to play live, in one band we were doing a demo and I just told our guitarist(who was a whizz kid on recording) to put midi bass lines on, it was just to get gigs..I mean who listens to the bass player??
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 2010
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - 3:41 pm:   Edit Post

I realize how the GIO is marketed for consumers to interface into Apple's "Garage Band" however the question was what is the BEST way and my personnel opinion reflects my previous posts in this thread in order to obtain maximum performance and resolution . Garage Band being designed mainly as a consumer friendly DAW software has been vastly improved over the years so if you use really good hardware it can actually sound decent and that is where " I was coming from" so to speak.

Sonic Regards !
gtrguy
Advanced Member
Username: gtrguy

Post Number: 385
Registered: 9-2004
Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - 11:24 pm:   Edit Post

F1-X sounds very good plugged into my PC interface (M-Audio profire)
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 2014
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - 11:42 pm:   Edit Post

Yes, I think the DI on FI-X and rare IN-2 work really well .
pclifton2004
Member
Username: pclifton2004

Post Number: 71
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Wednesday, August 24, 2011 - 11:36 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks guys! On the lookout for a used Apogee Duet ;)

(Message edited by pclifton2004 on August 24, 2011)
worldfamousandy
Intermediate Member
Username: worldfamousandy

Post Number: 128
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Thursday, August 25, 2011 - 2:51 am:   Edit Post

M-Audio Fast Track is a great and inexpensive solution. It can take either 1/4" or XLR, so you can go straight in or use the F-1X. Sounds great, no latency, works with USB, $92 on Amazon.
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 2019
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Thursday, August 25, 2011 - 7:15 am:   Edit Post

pclifton2004______I think the Apogee Duet is a good HIGH QUALITY choice . Many critical "EARS" think that it has excellent sounding converters , perhaps the best in it's class. I would prefer the firewire over USB interface as well for your application.
hankster
Advanced Member
Username: hankster

Post Number: 262
Registered: 6-2004
Posted on Friday, August 26, 2011 - 6:24 am:   Edit Post

I agree about the Apogee. Great sound, great ease of use.

R.
rustyg61
Advanced Member
Username: rustyg61

Post Number: 298
Registered: 2-2011
Posted on Saturday, August 27, 2011 - 2:24 am:   Edit Post

I had the M-Audio Fast Track which comes with Pro Tools SE, & it sounded amazing just plugging my SCSD straight into the interface with no EQ on the recording. It's a great deal for around $100. I took it back because the interface quit working after I did some Windows updates on Windows 7 & I guess Avid wasn't up on the latest updates. Now I have a Presonus Audiobox USB & Pro Tools 9. I had to get a direct box for the interface because my Alembic was clipping on it with the gain turned all the way down, but it sounds amazing now!
pclifton2004
Member
Username: pclifton2004

Post Number: 72
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Sunday, August 28, 2011 - 10:52 am:   Edit Post

Apogee Jam? Too limited? The dinky size and price point appeal, but will it be the same quality as the other Apogee interfaces?
sonicus
Senior Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 2025
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Sunday, August 28, 2011 - 11:04 am:   Edit Post

NO the specs are 24 BIt /44.1 khz on the Jam.
on the DUET firewire they are 24Bit / 96khz
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/apogee-duet-firewire-interface#used

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