Topic: Reducing Bass in Post

[Dede2002]

Thanks for the opinions Robert. It has crossed my mind to use the on board low cut on the 722. I agree that you can lock into the 722's "sweet spot" when using it as an all-in-one box. Case in point would be running my levels peaking around -7 to -9dB at 24bit (I guess this goes without saying with other recorders doing 24 bit too). I am hesitant to try it because I am affraid my recording *may* not have enught bass bump when all's said and done.  

Do you think band or venue ultimately influence your decision to run the low cut filter? I have a couple specific bands and venues where I think it could be beneficial, just trying to gauge your opinion.

My humble 2 cents here. Yes, band and venue should be considered in your roll-off decision. I've had my share of bad experiences leaving all the bass work for post. But never had a bad experience running bass roll-off in really bass heavy shows. In such concerts ( really heavy) the bass will be preserved. But a much more controled bass.
Again, I'm not a scientist. This is just my experience.

[RobertNC]

Outdoors so far is the only place I've really considered not runnning the low cut since I started using it, and that has only been two shows.  One was Ratdog and one was Phil Lesh.  

I was thinking about not running it for the Bob show, but ended up not making the decision one way or another.  My partner decided she wanted to go to the show, something I generally don't encourage, lol, and argghh, of course I was waiting on her at the bathroom when the show started.  Luckily I was taping with another guy and he started my deck rolling, and the low cut was enabled in my default config, so I just ran with it.   I don't think it hurt to have it on at all.

Phil even outdoors definitely benefitted from a little low cut.

Pretty much everything else I have taped since I started using it has been either pretty loud, in a boomy room or both.

[easy jim]

My questions are:

-For people who use Wavelab: Am I doing this correctly?
-Is 50Hz and -12dB considered a "modest rolloff"?
-I think I understand what I'm looking for in the Hz "spikes" on the spectral analysis. How can I determine what kind of db slope to use by looking at the spectral analysis?
-I guess this is technically considered applying EQ?

-If you're happy with the results, T.J., I think that is what's most important.  To try and aswer your questions, I do not use/know Wavelab but the image/settings look correct to me for applying a -12dB/octave hpf @ 50Hz.

-I'd consider a -12dB/octave hpf @ 50Hz relatively "modest," especially since most standard speakers/playback systems do not respond well below 60Hz anyways.  What matters, of course, is that it sounds good to you.  Double checking it on another (substandard) playback system is always helpful, however, to make sure the adjustments 'translate' well - for instance, listening on a crappy boombox or in your car.

-I do not think the spikes you see on the spectral analysis will give you the specific settings you want to apply so much as a guide of which frequency/frequency band is resonant and an indication of where to start with making adjustments.  Getting to the specifics, trust your ears and play with lots of alternative settings doing a/b comparisons until you get it 'dialed' in a way that sounds 'right' to you.

-Yep; applying a hpf is definitely applying EQ - though I would consider it more of a light touch in this case.

[T.J.]

thanks again jim! it's funny to me that whenever i get some new equipment i end up learning something new.

i worked primarily with a small 5 minute section with heavy bass. i haven't applied it to the entire show yet, but i think i'm pretty dialed in. while doing this, in the back of my mind i was thinking, "how is this going to sound in my car?" b/c that's where i do most of my listening during the work commute. it's nice listening to my adjustments though a quality set of cans, but that's not always going to be the case.

i guess i have one last question about work flow. since i will be losing a little gain i plan on adding a little back. so what does everyone think abou this work flow:

24 bit file >>> HPF >>> add gain >>> fades @ beginning/end of each set >>> resample >>> dither >>> save 24 and 16 bit files (keep the original/untouched file too) >>> cdwave

[Dede2002]

thanks again jim! it's funny to me that whenever i get some new equipment i end up learning something new.

i worked primarily with a small 5 minute section with heavy bass. i haven't applied it to the entire show yet, but i think i'm pretty dialed in. while doing this, in the back of my mind i was thinking, "how is this going to sound in my car?" b/c that's where i do most of my listening during the work commute. it's nice listening to my adjustments though a quality set of cans, but that's not always going to be the case.

i guess i have one last question about work flow. since i will be losing a little gain i plan on adding a little back. so what does everyone think abou this work flow:

24 bit file >>> HPF >>> add gain >>> fades @ beginning/end of each set >>> resample >>> dither >>> save 24 and 16 bit files (keep the original/untouched file too) >>> cdwave

That's exactly what I do 

[easy jim]

i guess i have one last question about work flow. since i will be losing a little gain i plan on adding a little back. so what does everyone think abou this work flow:

24 bit file >>> HPF >>> add gain >>> fades @ beginning/end of each set >>> resample >>> dither >>> save 24 and 16 bit files (keep the original/untouched file too) >>> cdwave

Seems like the appropriate workflow to me. 

[T.J.]

thanks gents another round of +t's in 12

[F.O.Bean]

TJ, i use the VST MultiBand Compressor plugin and LOVE IT PM if you want it altho you already should