Topic: Bass Roll Off on STC-9000; What's it do?

[MSTaper]

My inexperience is showing again. Would having the bass roll off switch on my STC-9000 in the "ON" position during a show account for why the final recording sounds like it lacks bass? I can't really recall if this was a particularly bassy show, but while the recording sounds fantastic (to me, that is) it seems to lack bass. I didn't realize the bass roll off was on so I'm wondering if that could be the problem.

And exactly, what does bass roll off on a pre do? Or have I already answered that myself?  Thanks, rWc3523

[DaveG73]

Same question. (and I really should admit I only noticed it was there after Russ mentioned it).

Dave.

[willyp523]

The STC-9000 has a bass roll off    Where is it?


Edit...ok, I think I found it...in the battery compartment?  So if I'm looking at the battery compartment from the end opposite the controls...which way does the switch have to be to disable the roll off?  Right or left?  It doesn't seem to be labeled inside the box.

[MSTaper]

There's a little black switch inside the battery compartment. Wouldn't have noticed it except when I put the battery in I saw the word "OFF" and wondered what exactly was off and turned the switch to ON!  Wish I had left it alone, maybe. Surely someone here can explain what this does or how it could affect a recording! Either way, it's a nice little piece of equipment. rWc3523

[Belexes]

Bass roll off "on" will roll off the bass at a certain frequency, meaning less bass freq in the recording.  I always have mine set to "off" and depending on what your recording, that will likely be the norm.  If you were recording speech I'd roll off the bass.

[MSTaper]

That's what I was thinking, just wanted some clarification. So a show I recorded might be lacking the bass I was expecting because the bass roll off was inadvertently left on? Ah well, live and learn. It's in the off position now so next time I'll be better prepared. Thanks, rWc3523

[Jamos]

Here's a graph of an AKG 414 LTD, omni.

The green, blue, & dotted black lines are all examples of bass roll-off.  This graph shows how the microphone naturally rolls off at different frequencies. 

The switch on your Church-Audio pre does this same thing, starting at whatever frequency it is designed to.

edit:  to add that this is also known as a high-pass filter, or HPF.  Different HPF's roll-off at different "steepness", so sometimes the cut is more gradual, and sometimes the cut is more severe.

[firebaugh]

From the 9100 thread in Retail Space:
http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,79928.0.html

The specs are
Stock input configuration is 3.5 mm stereo input
3 pin mini xlr available at extra cost.

Frequency response 25Hz to 90khz

Distortion is less then 0.006% at 1k.

Three stage clip light with three brightness levels Hi = clip! medium = 5 db before clip low =10db before clip or signal present.

This preamp comes standard with 3.5 mm outputs and 3.5 mm inputs other configurations are listed below.

Built in High pass filter at 80hz with bypass switch.

Size of the preamp is 2.5 x 3.5 x 1 inch with out belt clip add .5 inch for belt clip to the 1 inch dimension.

[MSTaper]

Hey guys, thanks for the info. That's pretty much what I thought, just wanted to hear it from someone who's been there!
 I suspect I should have had it off for the two shows I've taped with the mics/pre so far. I liked the results but I'm hoping there will be more bass next time. Could the lack of bass possibly be due to something else (other than say a lack of bass coming from the sound system)? Should I expect a lot of bass with the CA mics/pre, given it is a loud bassy show? Maybe there wasn't much bass to begin with or maybe I should have paid more attention to the show. 

Appreciate the input as usual. I'll have to wait until tomorrow to toss another +T!  rWc3523+