What are the pros and cons of direct input vs. mic'ing your bass amp?

1 What is direct input?

Direct input, or DI, is a way of recording your bass guitar by connecting it directly to your audio interface or mixer, without using an amp or a microphone. This means that you bypass the coloration and distortion that your amp and mic might add to your sound, and get a clean and consistent signal that you can process later with effects, EQ, or amp simulators. DI is a simple and convenient method that requires minimal equipment and setup, and avoids the problems of room acoustics, mic placement, and noise interference that can affect mic'ing your bass amp.

3 Pros of direct input

One of the main benefits of direct input is that it gives you a lot of flexibility and control over your sound in post-production. You can use plugins and software to shape your tone, add effects, simulate different amps and cabinets, and blend multiple DI tracks to create a rich and balanced sound. You can also easily edit, fix, or replace any mistakes or unwanted noises in your DI tracks, without affecting the rest of your mix. Another advantage of direct input is that it saves you time and money. You don't need to buy or rent an expensive amp or mic, or spend hours setting them up and finding the right sound. You can also record at any time and place, without worrying about disturbing your neighbors or getting unwanted sounds from your environment.

5 Pros of mic'ing your bass amp

One of the main benefits of mic'ing your bass amp is that it gives you a more authentic and lively sound, that reflects your personal tone and style. You can use your amp and speaker as an extension of your instrument, and adjust their settings and parameters to get the sound that you want. You can also use different types of mics and mic positions to capture different aspects and frequencies of your sound, and blend them together to create a full and balanced sound. Another advantage of mic'ing your bass amp is that it can inspire you and motivate you to play better. You might enjoy the feel and response of playing through your amp and speaker, and the natural ambiance and acoustics of your room. You might also discover new sounds and possibilities that you wouldn't get from direct input.

6 Cons of mic'ing your bass amp

One of the main drawbacks of mic'ing your bass amp is that it can be challenging and costly. You need to have a good quality amp, speaker, mic, and audio interface, and know how to set them up and connect them properly. You also need to have a suitable room or space to record in, that is quiet, isolated, and acoustically treated. You might have to deal with issues such as noise, feedback, phase cancellation, or clipping, that can ruin your recordings. Another disadvantage of mic'ing your bass amp is that it can limit your options and flexibility in post-production. You might not be able to change or improve your sound as much as you would with direct input, or fix or replace any errors or noises in your tracks. You might also have to commit to a specific sound and setup, and not be able to experiment with different ones later.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?