Topic: Setting Bass Roll Off

[seekup40]

I also will attempt to tape moe. as well both nights. I'm not too familar with them, just a few songs ive downloaded, are they very bassy live?

[seekup40]

I'm still runnin' MD myself...

what is your setup?

[nickgregory]

Hey Nick, that's why I listen to Meshuggah! 'cept I don't know about their tpaing policy! HAHAHA
Armen

that I respect....too many damn bands that have a taping policy that people consider "good" because they are "cool with the scene"....amazing to me...

[zhianosatch]

I'm still runnin' MD myself...

what is your setup?

DPA 4061 > DPA MPS-6010 > Denecke AD-20 > Sony MZ-R700

[zhianosatch]

Hey Nick, that's why I listen to Meshuggah! 'cept I don't know about their tpaing policy! HAHAHA
Armen

that I respect....too many damn bands that have a taping policy that people consider "good" because they are "cool with the scene"....amazing to me...

You guys have a fucked-up scene, that's all there is to it.
Armen

[seekup40]

I'm still runnin' MD myself...

what is your setup?

DPA 4061 > DPA MPS-6010 > Denecke AD-20 > Sony MZ-R700

but you have quite a bit nicer setup in front of the md than i do

[zhianosatch]

True, but the DAT/MD difference isn't going to be -that- huge. Precisely why I bought new mics and pre/a/d instead of a DAT recorder...
Still, go for borrowing the DAT. Might as well!

[nickgregory]

You guys have a fucked-up scene, that's all there is to it.
Armen

Dont lump me into that "scene"  My musical interests are just a bit broader than hearing some tired hippie jam band try to play guitar like Trey....gotta enjoy alot of everything....otherwise it gets old....

[Marc Nutter]

Great post Marc.  I agree 100%.  HPF can be a great tool if used correctly.  I used a -6db/octave @ 75Hz HPF on the V2 most of the time with Neumann tlm170s and km140s.  I don't use the HPF with the ADK A51TL>V3 - the TL's have a natural rolloff, so adding a HPF makes them sound thin and takes that low end punch out of the recording.

Craig.

...And now we return to our regularly scheduled thread about...oh yeah, Bass Roll-off...

Hi Craig (and all),

I'm glad you mentioned the ADK's.  I haven't used them enough to know yet.  And that certainly compliments the point that use of HPF will relate directly to the equipment involved.

Happy Recording Everybody.

Marc

[F.O.Bean]

why risk something in the field, when it can be fixed post........not worth it to me either, and i own 480's.....

bean

[nickgregory]

why risk something in the field, when it can be fixed post........not worth it to me either, and i own 480's.....

bean

because the 853's cannot handle the same SPL level as most mics and you run the risk of distortion, which cant be fixed post.

[rustoleum]

why risk something in the field, when it can be fixed post........not worth it to me either, and i own 480's.....

bean

I love the bass of the 480s... have never used the rolloff, even in the sweet spot and have generally been pleased with the results.

[danmorgan]

why risk something in the field, when it can be fixed post........not worth it to me either, and i own 480's.....

bean

I love the bass of the 480s... have never used the rolloff, even in the sweet spot and have generally been pleased with the results.

I can agree with this due to the fact I ran my 480's with no rolloff ever.  I think the 853's are not able to handle the SPL's quite as well.  Obviously doe to the variety of rolloff settings available.

[Marc Nutter]

why risk something in the field, when it can be fixed post........not worth it to me either, and i own 480's.....

bean

Hi bean and All,

The ability to "fix in post" is compromised because you have already sacrificed the additional headroom, and more importantly, given up the resolution (ie. bits), due to the lower level of the mid and high content of the audio.  A rough examples follows.  I would appreciate hearing some further expansion/correction on this from anyone with a deeper understanding of digital audio:

Basically, each bit represents 6dB of dynamic range.  If you are using a 16-bit recorder then you achieve 16-bits only at 0dBfs.  From 0 to -6dBfs, you are only utilizing 15-bits.  This is where we typically let our levels peak.  Now, if the extreme Low Frequency 6-12dB hotter, and we plan to take it out in post, we should roll it off when recording so we optimize our levels (and resolution) based on the level from the mids and highs that we will be keeping.

A fun way to hear the impact of various HPF setting is by taking the line out of your playback deck into the input of your pre-amp.  Set the pre-amp at it's lowest gain setting and connect the outputs of the pre-amp to your receiver/pre-amp in your listening system. (Warning: initially keep levels low on your receiver/pre-amp as the level coming from the microphone pre-amp could be quite hot) Now, play a few different recordings, especially something that is quite bass heavy and something else that is already light on bass.  Switch through the various HPF settings on the pre-amp to observe their impact.

because the 853's cannot handle the same SPL level as most mics and you run the risk of distortion, which cant be fixed post.

However, depending on the design of the microphone and pad, this may not help.  If the pad/HPF is not between the capsule and the pre-amp section of the microphone, it will only reduce the LF going to tape.  If, on the other hand, it is between the capsule and pre-amp, and the pre-amp is clipping, then the use of a pad or HPF could help significantly.

Happy Recording Everybody,

Marc

[Nick in Edinboro]

I also will attempt to tape moe. as well both nights. I'm not too familar with them, just a few songs ive downloaded, are they very bassy live?

You could try and lump them with Mule perhaps.  Definately a harder tinged "jamband", I prefer to call them balls to the wall rock and roll.  Definately loud, definately not acoustic  Bassy as a whole?  Maybe not, but loud, agressive, and in your face.  I might consider running with the HPF depending on your setup.

Enjoy Rob on bass too, he's one hell of a player..

Take care,
Nick