Phase button in console view

[TamaSabian]

I want to know why the sound changes when I press the phase button on playback. If the sound gets better that means there´s something wrong with mic placement??? . I´ve recorded my drumkit using 2 OH, one kick mic and one for the snare. I´ve tried this phase thing on snare & kick tracks, and to my ears the snare sounds good that way, and the kick got a lot of pressence. Please tell me where´s the problem if there´s one.

Thanks

Tama

[moskus]

It does exactly what it says it does: Changes the phase of the signal....

Let's take a cosine signal (because it's much easier to illustrate with. It goes from 1 to 0 to -1 to 0 and back to 1 again for 2*pi. When you press the "Change phase"-button, it goes from -1 to 0 to 1 to 0 and back to -1 again.

Sometimes when you're micing a drum-kit (for example) you'll discover that sometimes two mics are phase-cancelling each other out (you know (1) + (-1) = 0) for certain frequensies. Pressing the button will eliminate that, but will double the amplitude (1 + 1 = 2) which can be corrected with EQ.

Dont' worry, it's "normal" to have phase-problems in a multi-mic environment.

[TamaSabian]

So.......what I called better sound is just 1+1=2 or double amplitude, right?.
Do I have to choose between phase cancellation or double amplitude??.

[moskus]

Yes, if you have phase-problems.

But doubble amplitude can be solved with EQ. No amplitude cannot be solved...

[TamaSabian]

I´m confused!!!

Yes, if you have phase-problems.

How do I know if I´m into phase problems. I was listening to my 4 track recording of my drumkit, then I thought: what if I press this phase button, then I start listening to a whole different kit, with more kick and better sounding snare (IMO). If this is happening I am into phase problems right?.

How do I detect that a pair of mics are through phase cancellation??. In this particular case the kick and snare mics are being cancelled by the OH??.

I think I´d better do a search in the forum.

Thanks moskus

[moskus]

You should be able to hear it, just by playing the tracks together.
If you can't hear it but think you have a phase problem.Does the drums sound different when playing the drums track by track compared to the whole mix (except for the drums lacking)?

Sometimes you'll hear the some frequensies sound like they've had a "phaser"-effect applied to them.

Here's a link:
http://www.discmakers.com/pse/phase1.php



And remember:
Use your ears! If it sounds better, then do it!