Bassline EQing issue

[Greg Dee]

so i have this problem. I'm trying to EQ a bass sample so that the 200-1000hz zone is pumped, and i cant accomplish this purely with the EQ. Instead im using a high pass filter with the freq cut pegged to the absolute minimum and the resonance about 80% of the way up, and a low pass filter with the frequency cut at the absolute minimum, with no resonance. This seems to work ok in getting the sound i want out of the sample, but it lacks punch in the frequency range im trying to accentuate. Pumping up the EQ gives me distortion from the hp filter's resonance. How do i get more punch and drive out of my sample without having this resonance distortion? If anyone has the slightest idea of where to start, thank you in advance. this s*** is driving me nuts!

[RDR]

Just a few ideas.

1. Attenuate means to reduce, not boost as i think you meant?

2. Remove the frequencies you dont want rather than attempting to boost those you do.

3. Lower the other parts in volume

4. Look at your other parts to see if there is something interfering in the same part of the frequency domain

5. Reduce the rez on your filters, no doubt this is reducing available headroom and is certainly distorting the frequencies you wanted to leave clean.

6. Also why cant you properly accomplish this with EQ? which eq are you using? Hope it is a quality one.

7. what sort of quality is the sample you are using? HQ?

if i get any more ideas ill write em down.

[Evil G]

good points all. some compression would probably help as well.

[loopdon]

waves maxxbass?

saturation?


dist + followed by a lowpass to add charakter?

[rounser]

Could try GRM Tools Spectral Transform's Contrast plug. If you set it maxxed out, it'll flatline your EQ as much as is possible for the sample you're using (i.e. it'll turn your sample into a wall'o'sound across the spectrum as much as it can, sort of like an EQ version of compression, but not recommended if you want the result to sound clean). You can then carve away at the thing with another EQ plug down the chain.

[loopdon]

aaah, thanks, rounser, luv tipps like that :love:

[rounser]

No worries mate...I was all when I discovered what that plugin could do.

An equaliser that literally equalises frequencies, automatically...who'da thunk it?

[loopdon]

voxengo soniformer does sumething like that as well, i.e. (re-)balancing the spectrum. ;)

[rounser]

Heh, it seemed too useful a feature to be unique. Will go have a gander.

EDIT: Think I'm too impatient and/or dumb to use Soniformer, seems to require a degree in compression rocket science, and low on the all important "instant gratification" factor... ;)

[Greg Dee]

thanks for the tips guys. looks like i have this sorted now. i used a subtractive EQing technique and it worked beautifully.

[pedrod]

to best bring out your bass with EQ try bringing out the frequency of the chromatic pitch of the key you are working in

ie .. If you track is in C try raising the frequency at exactly 32.70Hz or 65.41Hz

These are what top producers call magic frequencies

I dont have a chart at hand, but you will find one if you look around on the net

[Milesy]

am i not correcting in thinking that the 200-1000hz is
a very muddy zone for bass ?

i usually cut about 700hz and then a small boost about 100/150
for bass and it sounds quite nice. then put it through the delta filter
low pass filter for a bit more roundness and phatness

[Basil Rush]

to best bring out your bass with EQ try bringing out the frequency of the chromatic pitch of the key you are working in

ie .. If you track is in C try raising the frequency at exactly 32.70Hz or 65.41Hz

These are what top producers call magic frequencies

I dont have a chart at hand, but you will find one if you look around on the net

Theres a chart in the front of a book called Mastering Audio by Bob Katz (which is an amazing book as well)

[acidsaturation]

Good tips...

to add my t'penworth...

The idea of using the filter to get a good bass sound by whacking up the resonance at the low end is quite a cool one. I do that occasionally doubling up the bassline, one with a hi pass filter and one with a lo pass filter, at one of the magic frequenicies (often done by ear though). Leaned this form DJ Glowbones, who learnt it form Sol Ray.

But... what is important is to tame this with compression and that it's an effect, not part of the EQ process.

[loopdon]

to best bring out your bass with EQ try bringing out the frequency of the chromatic pitch of the key you are working in

ie .. If you track is in C try raising the frequency at exactly 32.70Hz or 65.41Hz

These are what top producers call magic frequencies

I dont have a chart at hand, but you will find one if you look around on the net

Theres a chart in the front of a book called Mastering Audio by Bob Katz (which is an amazing book as well)

anyone able and willing to put a scan up?

[Milesy]

heres some nice tables for EQ'ing i use :love:

http://www.computermusic.co.uk/tutorial/eq/2.asp

[dan the acid man]

heres some nice tables for EQ'ing i use :love:

http://www.computermusic.co.uk/tutorial/eq/2.asp

wow, great link, cheers ;)

[acidsaturation]

Just found this with a quick google:

http://www.phy.mtu.edu/~suits/notefreqs.html

Frequencies for equal-tempered scale
A4 = 440 Hz

("Middle C" is C4 )

Note Frequency (Hz)
C0 16.35
C#0/Db0 17.32
D0 18.35
D#0/Eb0 19.45
E0 20.60
F0 21.83
F#0/Gb0 23.12
G0 24.50
G#0/Ab0 25.96
A0 27.50
A#0/Bb0 29.14
B0 30.87
C1 32.70
C#1/Db1 34.65
D1 36.71
D#1/Eb1 38.89
E1 41.20
F1 43.65
F#1/Gb1 46.25
G1 49.00
G#1/Ab1 51.91
A1 55.00
A#1/Bb1 58.27
B1 61.74
C2 65.41
C#2/Db2 69.30
D2 73.42
D#2/Eb2 77.78
E2 82.41
F2 87.31
F#2/Gb2 92.50
G2 98.00
G#2/Ab2 103.83
A2 110.00
A#2/Bb2 116.54
B2 123.47
C3 130.81
C#3/Db3 138.59
D3 146.83
D#3/Eb3 155.56
E3 164.81
F3 174.61
F#3/Gb3 185.00
G3 196.00
G#3/Ab3 207.65
A3 220.00
A#3/Bb3 233.08
B3 246.94
C4 261.63
C#4/Db4 277.18
D4 293.66
D#4/Eb4 311.13
E4 329.63
F4 349.23
F#4/Gb4 369.99
G4 392.00
G#4/Ab4 415.30
A4 440.00
A#4/Bb4 466.16
B4 493.88
C5 523.25
C#5/Db5 554.37
D5 587.33
D#5/Eb5 622.25
E5 659.26
F5 698.46
F#5/Gb5 739.99
G5 783.99
G#5/Ab5 830.61
A5 880.00
A#5/Bb5 932.33
B5 987.77
C6 1046.50
C#6/Db6 1108.73
D6 1174.66
D#6/Eb6 1244.51
E6 1318.51
F6 1396.91
F#6/Gb6 1479.98
G6 1567.98
G#6/Ab6 1661.22
A6 1760.00
A#6/Bb6 1864.66
B6 1975.53
C7 2093.00
C#7/Db7 2217.46
D7 2349.32
D#7/Eb7 2489.02
E7 2637.02
F7 2793.83
F#7/Gb7 2959.96
G7 3135.96
G#7/Ab7 3322.44
A7 3520.00
A#7/Bb7 3729.31
B7 3951.07
C8 4186.01
C#8/Db8 4434.92
D8 4698.64
D#8/Eb8 4978.03

[jesus]

yeah ive got about 5 of these all slightly different , not sure which one to use.

[acidsaturation]

Pick one as a guide, and then trust yr ears...