The cure for an anemic bass sound?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Myriad_Rocker
  • Start date Start date
Myriad_Rocker

Myriad_Rocker

New member
Let's say the bass just isn't punching with the kick. It's tight with the kick but doesn't really hit you hard. What are you thoughts on getting a more powerful bass sound without turning the volume up...sometimes that's what it needs but I have a case where the bass doesn't really need to be louder so much as more punchy and powerful.
 
Try side chaining the bass compressor with the kick drum....
Also are you mixing Mic and DI, sometimes a little bass over drive can help, or re-amping the DI signal.
 
I'd have to hear the music to give a good answer to this question, but some EQing may fatten it up for you in the low-mids. However, that's also the frequency range that will cause it to fight with the kick the most so it's a very tricky beast to tame. Maybe tinker with some EQing in the 300Hz-1000kHz area. If it starts to fight with the kick, maybe try the sidechaining on the compressor as previously mentioned to allow more room for both to survive.

Also, try slamming it through a brickwall limiter. Use the input gain so that it consistently hits the limiter on the louder parts, then adjust the limiter threshold to bring it back into the volume area you want in your mix. Then, readjust the input gain as it probably now clips... repeat until desired effect is reached. If you end up with it hitting the limiter well on the loud parts, but not at all on the soft parts (leaving the bass too low in the mix on those soft parts), you may need to work with your compressor more before it hits the limiter. That way you won't end up with clipping due to turning the input gain up further on the limiter.
 
iownrocknroll said:
i know i got an 1176 in my back pocket!

:rolleyes:
Click to expand...
I carry one in my lunch pale...*looks* Oh shit....has anyone seen my 1176?

Nah, I may have something to smash it with. I didn't try totally compressing (limiting) the hell out of it yet.
 
iownrocknroll said:
i know i got an 1176 in my back pocket!

:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

It amazes me that in a "creative" hobby, people are generally lacking any creativity at all. If you can't find an 1176 plug FOR FREE then you are in the wrong hobby.


Myriad_Rocker said:
I carry one in my lunch pale...*looks* Oh shit....has anyone seen my 1176?

Nah, I may have something to smash it with. I didn't try totally compressing (limiting) the hell out of it yet.
Click to expand...


Yeah, use what you got, there are some great plugs out there that do the 1176 thing almost as good as the hardware.
 
NL5 said:
Yeah, use what you got, there are some great plugs out there that do the 1176 thing almost as good as the hardware.
Click to expand...
Sweet. What are you using or what have you had the best experience with?
 
Myriad_Rocker said:
Sweet. What are you using or what have you had the best experience with?
Click to expand...

Well, I use a Purple MC77. :)

I also use the UAD 1176 a LOT. You can pick up a PCI version for next to nothing, and the Mackie version comes with the 1176 and LA2A. I've heard good things about a free 1176 that I believe was from Antress?? If I had a free PCI slot though, I'd snag a UAD 1 for $75 give or take.
 
NL5 said:
Well, I use a Purple MC77. :)

I also use the UAD 1176 a LOT. You can pick up a PCI version for next to nothing, and the Mackie version comes with the 1176 and LA2A. I've heard good things about a free 1176 that I believe was from Antress?? If I had a free PCI slot though, I'd snag a UAD 1 for $75 give or take.
Click to expand...
Purple Audio is good stuff, for sure. You use the hardware version, I take it? Yeah, I've been on the fence about the UAD stuff. Mostly because I don't want to have to install a card and risk shit going haywire while I'm working on a project. But I'm planning a huge upgrade after my current project and I'll really have to look into some used UAD stuff. But for now, I'm going to see if I can find the one you're talking about.
 
Myriad_Rocker said:
Purple Audio is good stuff, for sure. You use the hardware version, I take it? Yeah, I've been on the fence about the UAD stuff. Mostly because I don't want to have to install a card and risk shit going haywire while I'm working on a project. But I'm planning a huge upgrade after my current project and I'll really have to look into some used UAD stuff. But for now, I'm going to see if I can find the one you're talking about.
Click to expand...

I use the UAD plugs more, especially since I can run many instances of it (I have 4 UAD cards). Also, I usually work on many projects at a time, and in many pieces, so having 100% recall is valuable to me.

I am a huge fan of the UAD stuff. It does a fantastic job.
 
Wow....this Antress place has a huge amount of plugs. How is their Distressor? Have you tried it? (I'm at work right now and can't)
 
Myriad_Rocker said:
Uh oh....they make a 500 series version....

http://vintageking.com/New-Brands/Purple-Audio/Purple-Audio-Action-FET-Compressor

Must resist........
Click to expand...

I'm curious how close that is to the MC77 - the whole "reminiscent" thing makes me think it's a bit stripped down......

Myriad_Rocker said:
Wow....this Antress place has a huge amount of plugs. How is their Distressor? Have you tried it? (I'm at work right now and can't)
Click to expand...


I haven't used them, but it seems like they got great reviews on GS.
 
NL5 said:
I'm curious how close that is to the MC77 - the whole "reminiscent" thing makes me think it's a bit stripped down......
Click to expand...
True....but it's Purple. Can't be that bad. :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top