bass guitar from “burning down the house” by talking heads | ToneDB

burning down the house

talking heads

bass guitar

75% ai confidence

Tone Profile

A clean and punchy bass sound with a slightly compressed and articulate character. It provides a solid foundation for the song's rhythmic drive.

Production Credits

Producer: David Byrne

Engineer: Butch Jones

Recorded at: Sigma Sound Studios (NYC)

Signal Chain

Instrument: Fender Precision Bass

Amp: Ampeg SVT

Microphone: Neumann U47

Processing: Urei 1176

Recording Notes

  • The bass was likely recorded with a combination of a direct input signal and a mic'd amplifier.
  • Compression was used to even out the dynamics and add punch to the bass.
  • The Neumann U47 was positioned to capture the full sound of the Ampeg SVT.
  • The Urei 1176 probably to add punch and control the dynamics of the bass signal

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a Fender Precision Bass and play with a pick for a similar attack.
  • Use an Ampeg SVT model (plugin or amp) for the fundamental tone.
  • Apply compression using a Urei 1176-style plugin to achieve the desired punch and sustain.
  • Blend a direct input signal with the amp signal for added clarity and definition.
  • Experiment with microphone placement on the amp to find the sweet spot.

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