Sub frequency woes

  • Thread starter Thread starter arcadeko
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arcadeko

arcadeko

Illuminatius Overlordious
So... I got this mix I am working on. In part of the song there is a synth that comes in. Most of the synth volume is under 40hz

so when I check the mix in my KRK 6 monitors, there isn't much tone from the synth - but when I play it through my Live monitors with a sub-woofer the synth is massive and loud and earth shaking (which is what it is supposed to be)

Any thoughts on how I should reconcile this with the KRK's? I am guessing that any system that doesn't have a sub will be missing a lot of the effect of the synth.

Should I boost the 80hz freq of the synth so it is in the range of most non-sub stereos? :confused::confused::confused:
 
I wouldn't make changes that would hurt a mix on other systems. Just find a powered sub. I just use an old DCM home theater sub.
 
But....if most other systems will NOT be able to reproduce the 40 Hz...you might want to adjust for that.
I dunno if I would boost 80Hz...but maybe play the synth also an octave up..that way it covers both.

I did this one song awhile back that had these massive timpani hits during the intro.
Sounded massive on my monitors which cover 40 Hz without issue and rol off into the sub range...but I could never hear them quite right on other, smaller systems, though I did have a second drum hit layered with the timpani, so that was pretty audible...just didn't have that huge THUMP.
 
arcadeko said:
Should I boost the 80hz freq of the synth so it is in the range of most non-sub stereos? :confused::confused::confused:
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I probably would, but use a wide Q, a small boost around 100 will bring it up into the more general bass area.

I would bring it up until you hear it a little in the KRKs but not so much that its out of control on the sub system.

Mixing is often a compromise.
 
I have a sub. Several actually, I'm just concerned that people without subs will not know the true awesomeness of the track so I need it to come through on systems without a sub.
 
Right, and ppl can't watch an awesome HD production on a regular 480p tv. If ppl can't hear the awesomeness of your synth that hits deep low freq's cuz their system sucks, that's their prob, not yours! ie fax me that awesome 2400dpi image, I know it'll lose a lot.
 
suprstar said:
Right, and ppl can't watch an awesome HD production on a regular 480p tv. If ppl can't hear the awesomeness of your synth that hits deep low freq's cuz their system sucks, that's their prob, not yours! ie fax me that awesome 2400dpi image, I know it'll lose a lot.
Click to expand...

Which is why he wants to give them SOMETHING in the low range, to make up for it. I would agree with the octave comment.
 
If you bump up 80, you prolly have to effectively drop 40 to keep the mix balanced. For kicks and bass drops and synths and whatever, I like 40Hz a lot, just personal preference. Plus I'm not making music for anyone but me, on my own playback systems, that can shake your eyeballs so you literally can't see straight, which I enjoy :D Arkadeco's mileage may vary.
 
suprstar said:
that can shake your eyeballs so you literally can't see straight, which I enjoy
Click to expand...
You're soon going to hit your 40s. The way our eyes go as the muscles in the sides of our heads relax, you won't need a boneshaking system for that ! :D
 
You dont really need much at 40Hz so just try and Mix so that the low end has more power above 40Hz.
Even try a high pass at 40Hz although this might be a tad much.

G
 
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