Proximity Effect and related issues

  • Thread starter Thread starter Chris F
  • Start date Start date
Chris,

Have you tried putting the mic either between the bridge legs, or in a foam-block behind the tail-piece? In that situation, the mic is almost 90º off-axis, and the proximity effect might be reduced (see Harvey's comment above). I've been using a hyper-cardioid with the foam-block behind the tail-piece at all my gigs for the past month or so. It runs into feedback problems where I need lots of volume (say with a big band) - then I use more of the Full Circle Fishman, and less of the mic - but for most of the time, I'm much happier with just using the mic (esp. for arco) - it's the sound of my bass - but louder… I would have thought that in a studio situation, you would be able to use an omni, and have no (or at worst, less) proximity problems. Just an idea (which we've beaten almost to death on talkbass.com), but FWIW it might be useful to you (BTW I have pics of my set-up if anyone's interested…)

- Wil
 
Harvey - Cool, I'll try that.

Wil - I don't have an omni, and that may be the problem. The SDC between the bridge legs might be nice for live gigs, but I've heard that bass played from out front before, and that air between the bass and listener is worth its weight in gold. I wonder what "polar pattern" human hearing is...
 
Can't tell if you're joking, but it's gotta be Figure-8 or omni. Time to visit the big thread again...
 
I think it's a lot more complex than a simple figure-8. The auricle or pinna (outer-ear), in combination with the brain, is able to ascertain direction of sound - not only left and right, but up, down, in front or behind as well. There's a lot more to the ear than being just a convenient protruberance from which to dangle bits of jewellry… :rolleyes:

- Wil
 
Harvey Gerst said:
EQ and multiband compression might work, but I'd be concerned about adding unwanted artifacts to the signal.
Click to expand...

Harvey (or anyone else who knows),

What is meant by "artifacts"? I keep hearing this but don't really understand what I'm listening for.

I never make drastic EQ or compression settings. I keep things as natural as possible. I totally get the idea of moving or changing mics to get the sound rather than EQ, but I record live jazz gigs where I don't have the benefit of a control room.
 
In this context, an "artifact" is something (usually unwanted) which is heard in the final sound, which was not part of the original sound - in other words something which has been accidentally added (by the processing, or signal chain, or whatever)

- Wil
 
Chris F said:
. . . At home, I can get a good strong sound, but it always seems to have a low end rumble that is disturbing when the volume comes up even a little. Once I've recorded it that way, if I try to EQ it out, I lose too much body of the sound in the process. . . .
Click to expand...
Hi Chris, I'm not an expert (yet, I'm still on page 10 of the 'big' thread - btw, thanks Harvey!), but I had a thought.

Maybe you're picking up a rumble through the floor. Perhaps some insulation (like rubber or something) for the bass and/or the mics would help.
 
Quick update: I went out and bought a multipattern LCD - an M-Audio Solaris - and have been recording with that in the past week. So far, the results are VERY promising. On the one hand, the unwanted low end is basically gone, but I still have that sweet, sweet bottom "foundation" (for lack of a better word) to the sound. On the other hand, I can hear a few more areas where my room needs to be treated in Omni mode than in cardiod, so clearly I have some work to do there If I were mixing, I'd probably roll off just a pinch of some low lows, but as is, the sound is much improved.

OLDWOOD - I checked to see if the floor was the problem, but couldn't tell any difference. Guess is was proximity effect after all. Live and learn...
 
Oh well, I'm just learnin' this stuff. I woulda been proud if I had guessed right. :)
 
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