Author Topic: Alembics in the studio (Read 216 times)

wfmandmusic · « **on:** January 01, 2015, 05:39:20 AM »

I was late in my my career to the Alembic family. Tuesday I had the pleasure of taking my Alembics into the studio for the first time. I'm mostly a live performer these days but did do some studio work for some singer song writers when I first moved to Philly 12 years ago. Tuesday I took my series 11 and series 1 fretless in. We were recording to analog tape. This is a roots rock sort of project. I brought my custom shop p bass just in case but never took it out of the case. I set up a Genz Benz shuttle max 12.2 and a Bergantino CN212 cab. We ran a direct out of the amp and set up a mic on the cab. Wow what a gorgeous sound! I was blown away and so was the engineer. He wouldn't stop talking about how great the bass sounded. It was amazing to me how accurately the bass transferred to tape. It was full, punchy, articulate, and set in the mix perfectly. And I really didn't even have any time to play around or experiment with settings or the recording set up. Listening back to tracks in the control room with the drums made me melt onto the floor. I can't wait to hear the final mix when the album is done. I even got to use the fretless on a track. My first experience in the studio with these basses has been awesome!

moongerm · « **Reply #1 on:** January 01, 2015, 06:59:46 AM »

Me too Ken (being late in your career to the Alembic family). You are the second person this week that has mentioned the GenzBenz Shuttle Max. Looking forward to hear if you get a chance to post any clips of what you laid down?

I am working on a 3rd album for an original prog rock group using a 5 String Spoiler (would have liked to use a 5 string Series or Anniversary in stereo instead ) and a Carl Thompson 5 string. Both of these instruments, each at a time, are going into an SF2 then an F1X using the direct output, no amps. So far so good with regards to the bass sitting in the mix well but will have to wait for the tracks to be mixed and mastered.

Is the Genz Benz ShuttleMax capable of achieving a wide range of tones (from a hi-fi Stanley Clarke type of clarity to pop to warm low volume jazz) without taking away from the Alembic's natural sounds?

I am looking to upgrade to either a PJB D-600 with 2 Compact 4 cabs, TecAmp Bonafide, Genz Benz Shuttle (9 or 12). Not sure about Eden. Looking for the best hi-fi amp that is the most versatile and great with bringing out the best of Alembic basses; 2 channels, good tone control but also , lightweight, warm/fat, and great in the studio (ultra quiet DI), with a headphone amp/output.

wfmandmusic · « **Reply #2 on:** January 01, 2015, 11:16:34 AM »

Hi Brian,
Amps are such a personal thing. My latest run started with a Genz Streamliner 900. It sounds great and I like that it has 3 pre-amp tubes. It is very small and light. I came to the conclusion that it might be best for a live situation playing some dirty, gritty rock and roll. Not the driving nails as my svt or mesa 400 but not articulate enough for the studio or non-rock situations. I have tried a few micro amps and basically hated them all. I have not tried the other amps you have listed. I got the shuttle max 12.2 about 2 months ago. The former owner said it had too many knobs and he did not know what to do with them. Any how, I find it has great tone control,lightweight, warm/fat, and great in the studio. The range of eq is really good.There are separate scoops for the lows, mids, and highs. It's two channel with a 4 maybe 5 switch foot pedal. One channel is a tube pre and the other just class D. What I like is the ability to blend the channels per taste. In my new gigging situation I might have to switch to my upright in the middle of a set. I can set one channel up for that sound then just step on a switch. I'm finding if I start off on this amp with it set completely flat, both my upright and Alembics come through really true to the sound. Even when I fire up the eq section the instrument keeps it's voice. I have not even ran it through my SF2 yet as I want to learn the amp really well before I do that. I really like this amp so far.
If you want to hear some old prog rock I made two albums in the late 80s early 90s. Send me your address and I'll drop some of it in the mail to you. Yes I know I should put it on the net but I haven't.

moongerm · « **Reply #3 on:** January 01, 2015, 07:18:32 PM »

Yes indeed they are. I scoured the Web for a 12.2 and they are tough to come by. Unless I can find one used that is a great price I am reluctant to pick one up. It looks like they are not making them any longer. I am going to look into the tecamp Bonafide which is the closest thing to a GB 12.2 with 2 channels and a foot switch.

(Message edited by moongerm on January 01, 2015)

wfmandmusic · « **Reply #4 on:** January 01, 2015, 08:25:32 PM »

Good luck! Here is an old track just for fun. Let me know where I can find your stuff as I'm a prog rock fan.

https://soundcloud.com/wfmandmusic/06-track-06

wfmandmusic · « **Reply #5 on:** January 02, 2015, 03:34:50 PM »

Wow, you guys are really good! I've seen some of your videos before and just watched some more. I'm going to try to get out and see you play.

moongerm · « **Reply #6 on:** January 02, 2015, 06:39:24 PM »

Excellent work! Good material and nice sepertion on the bass mix. Just picked up a PJB Compact 4 cabinet to at least continue on a path to a smaller rig option. Ah yes the videos of Piktor's Metatmorphosis is a fun classic fusion band with Neil NAIL Alexander on Moog-Synths. Only have one show booked for 2015 thus far June 13th in Union, NJ.

The prog band Advent that I have been recording with is having a record release show this spring hopefully.