Topic: Brickwalling

[Josephine]

A few weeks back, I recorded ( with my SP-CMC-8 > SP-SPSB-6 rig ) a really loud show.  Most of the recording came out nice, but unfortunately there are places in the recording that are all distorted as a result of my levels being too high and the show being too damn loud.  The house's mix had the bass so high, my nose and ears were actually itching from the vibration.  The mics just couldn't handle it.  I suppose normally I would just write it up as a loss, but it's a real special show to me and I am certain mine is the only recording. 

I realize there is no way to repair brickwalling, but is there something I can do in post to minimize its negative effect?   Can someone tell me how to make a bad situation a bit better?  (I use Sound Forge to edit.)

[tapers_are_geeks]

run Normalize and lower the db until it's between -6 and-12. after that you'll need to run the Noise Reduction feature.. if the bass is muddy you need to go into EQ settings and choose the roll-off feature below 120hz.... what recording/show is it?

[Josephine]

run Normalize and lower the db until it's between -6 and-12. after that you'll need to run the Noise Reduction feature.. if the bass is muddy you need to go into EQ settings and choose the roll-off feature below 120hz.... what recording/show is it?

Do I apply this to the entire recording, or just to the affected portions?
It's a Thorogood recording.
Thanks for the help. 

[tapers_are_geeks]

i would do it to the entire recording. you can do parts if you like although there will be a fluctuation in the sound playback when done.

basically i would do it in this order
EQ roll-off below 120hz>Normalize>noise reduction

i have an sp-pre as well and i run mine at 160hz roll-off. at this frequency i dont have to do any post eq editing

[Josephine]

I was running at 107hz.   It was not enough.   
Thanks for the advice . . . appreciate it.

[pmonk66]

Wow - I just ran into the same problem. Taped Rose Hill Drive last night at CBGB's and I knew I was in trouble from the beginning. Loudest concert I've ever ben too! Even the guitarist was complaining that the bass was too loud. My ears are still ringing!

[tapers_are_geeks]

you can always use a high roll-off feature from the sp-pre. set it high cause you can always add bass post sound forge equing, but it's hard to remove the really deep mudd after the fact. you can try and try,but the more you roll it off post eq the more messy it well sound...i just leave mine on 160hz.

what kind of recorder are you using?

[Josephine]

I usually run a different setup than the SP mics.  I have to admit, I'm not all too familiar with them or the battery box.
I had them running into my D100.
Next time, you can bet I will use a higher roll off setting.
I do have to say, though, that the bass was just unbelievably high at this show.

[nameloc01]

i have had a few like that. i just set my batt. box r/o to 195 hz pretty much all the time now,since i had nothing but excellent results.not sure what recording device you are using,on my hi-md i always go > line in vs. > mic in. mic in cant handle loud volumes

[bluegrass_brad]

There is a "smooth" feature in SoundForge which can help a little bit.  You have to play with it a little though because if you use too much it begins to sound muffled.

[Brian Skalinder]

run Normalize and lower the db until it's between -6 and-12. after that you'll need to run the Noise Reduction feature.. if the bass is muddy you need to go into EQ settings and choose the roll-off feature below 120hz.... what recording/show is it?

I understand toying around with HPF to achieve a better result, am unsure of how SF's NR feature works, but I don't understand the intent of dropping the levels to -6 to -12 dB.  Help me understand why and what this will accomplish and why?

[schoepsnbox]

Josephine, why no schoeps?   Were you running line in or mic in?  Sorry to hear about the recording, hope your able to straighten it out.

[George]

A few weeks back, I recorded ( with my SP-CMC-8 > SP-SPSB-6 rig ) a really loud show.  Most of the recording came out nice, but unfortunately there are places in the recording that are all distorted as a result of my levels being too high and the show being too damn loud.  The house's mix had the bass so high, my nose and ears were actually itching from the vibration.  The mics just couldn't handle it.  I suppose normally I would just write it up as a loss, but it's a real special show to me and I am certain mine is the only recording. 

I realize there is no way to repair brickwalling, but is there something I can do in post to minimize its negative effect?   Can someone tell me how to make a bad situation a bit better?  (I use Sound Forge to edit.)

I can't help you in terms of cleaning up the distortion.  My noobie understanding of distortion (ie. brickwalling) is that when its there, you can't get rid of it.   

For the future:

Get the mics modded for phantom power.  They terminated to mini xlr's, get a preamp that accepts mini xlr's and you are set.  My at853 rig consists of a sanjay-built preamp with mini xlr inputs and my iriver H140.  It's super stealthy.

Read this regarding using the bass roll off feature with an D100/M1:  http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=46007.0

[Josephine]

Josephine, why no schoeps?   Were you running line in or mic in?  Sorry to hear about the recording, hope your able to straighten it out.

The band and I go back a long ways.  In 25 years, not one of them has ever seen me in a hat. 
It's one thing wearing a dorky Kangol amongst strangers . . . . you get the idea.
I hated leaving the Schoeps at home, but felt I didn't have much choice.
The guys definitely would have wondered what was up with the hat and my unusually restricted movements.

I was running line in. 

[Jofa]

I have always used the 69hz roll off > line in with my sp-cmc-8's. Never had any problem with brickwalling, maybe I'm just lucky?

/ R.