Any tips for taming a harsh bass sound?

[Warren Peace]

How can I reduce the harshness of a bass guitar that sounds "strident" in the mix? The bass sounds fine in a live situation, but it comes across as almost too aggressive on the recording. I have tried various plugins, but I am open to any suggestions you may have. The rest of the recording sounds good. The bass was recorded directly into a Focusrite Claret audio interface.

 

[MicDrop]

When mixing a bass, the primary focus should be on the low mids and high lows. Also, split anything below 150 Hz into mono.

 

[Wordplayr]

I tried using a de-esser and had some success.

 

[ExtraAF]

Use EQ or perhaps consider using multi-band compression.

 

[NeonLuxe]

Experiment with tone controls and playing technique. Consider using a high-quality DI box like the Neve RNDI or an amp preamp like the SansAmp. Split the bass into two tracks, one for the highs and one for the lows. You may also want to use a de-esser to reduce fret noise or other unwanted sounds. Additionally, try using good amp simulations.

 

[Warren Peace]

When mixing a bass, the primary focus should be on the low mids and high lows. Also, split anything below 150 Hz into mono.

Why?

 

[NightHawk]

Why?

Having low frequencies in stereo can usually do more harm than good for a mix. Some may argue that low frequency can be defined as under 100, 200, or 300 hertz. In my experience, a good starting point for a classic instrument setup is 150 hertz.

 

[Maverick]

I suggest checking the frequency range of 2 kHz - 4 kHz and lowering it to see if it helps. "Strident" means harsh on the ears, so lowering this range should help. If the harshness is due to the transients (attack), you can use a transient shaper to reduce the attack or a compressor with a fast attack time to push the bass into the background. I hope this advice helps.

 

[Cypher]

Find a good bass amp simulator and EQ the frequencies that trouble you. If that doesn't work, consider layering a synth bass or pitch-shifted analog dubbing.