Cut out resonances of ringtones. Which plug-in’s?

[peterdh]

I produce ringtones as a hobby. Smartphone speakers quite often produce unwanted resonances. I try to EQ this out by first boosting a bell shape EQ with a narrow frequency band and when resonances are detected, then cut that same frequency band. Inserting a tape simulation also works to soften the sound. A smartphone engineer told me that smartphone speakers do not handle low frequencies very well, so I got a low cut filter on the master buss. I work with ToneBoosters Track Essentials 3, Softube Tape and Cubase Magneto 2.

I often am not satisfied with the results. Anyone got tips for techniques or different software?

Thanks for your time.

[BertKoor]

If you cut the lows while they aren't getting fully reproduced anyway (you don't need a smartphone engineer to tell you that, but when I need one I don't even know where to look for one) then none of it remains at all.

How predictable are resonances anyway? Don't the specific frequencies differ from model to model?

No wonder you're not satisfied. In my trade we call that "preemptive optimization".

[lfm]

Could pushing volume too much be part of it?
I use a dictaphone a lot, and when volume is too high these smaller membrane speakers resonate with units, is what it sounds like. So turning volume down fix that.

As I recall you can set ringtone volume, but some also raise volume as more signals pass without owner answering - like if he didn't hear it.

So a balancing act, I suppose.

And a lot to do what kind of sounds you do, of course. A Porsche taking off should resonate, kind of.

[Proteinshake]

I try to EQ this out by first boosting a bell shape EQ with a narrow frequency band and when resonances are detected, then cut that same frequency band.

What are you listening on when you do that? If you're not actually doing this on a phone or small speakers to begin with you will most likely end up notching the wrong frequencies. Just a wild guess, but the resonances you hear on the phone are probably more originating from the tight space and small form factor of the casing than anything else.

[peterdh]

...How predictable are resonances anyway? Don't the specific frequencies differ from model to model?...

That right. Some ringtones cause problems on one phone, while sounding good on the other.

What are you listening on when you do that?..

KRK VXT8 monitors. I am not producing for a special type of smartphone. For smartphones in general.

[Gamma-UT]

This may be one of those cases where the answer is pretty aggressive multiband compression in the range where you normally get resonances, which I'm guessing are going to be in the mids, particularly the upper end (and also where hearing is most sensitive). You can't do much to tune EQ for a wide range of phones but there might be some value in just making sure no frequencies in that range are particularly strong for any length of time.

Not that I've ever tried this.

[legendCNCD]

Sounds like I'd try Soothe 2.

[peterdh]

Sounds like I'd try Soothe 2.

Downloaded the demo. Thanks for the tip!

[peterdh]

Sounds like I'd try Soothe 2.

Downloaded the demo. Thanks for the tip!

I treated some "problem" ringtones and I got some nice results. Really thanks for the tip! Will buy when prices are low (sale or second hand).

[Aloysius]

Acon Digital: DeFilter / Automatic Equalization Plug-In

DeFilter is an efficient tool to even out tonal imbalances in a recording or reduce resonant peaks or dips in the frequency spectrum. Even severe issues such as comb filter effects or standing waves from untreated rooms can be addressed. DeFilter can match recordings to target profiles such as music or speech, or alternatively extract the overall timbre from the source – the large strokes – while evening out narrow peaks and dips. The latter removes resonances and comb filter effects effectively while preserving the tonal character of the input signal. Recordings can also be equalized to match a reference recording.

Great care has been taken to provide a user interface that is straightforward to use. Frequency dependent correction levels can be defined using custom curves, so that DeFilter can focus on problematic frequency ranges while leaving other frequency regions untouched. Realtime spectrum analyzers for both the input and output signals visualize the effect on the frequency spectrum.
Use Cases

Fix issues in a mix prior to mastering
Reduce resonances caused by untreated room acoustics
Matched equalization (automatic equalization based on a reference signal)
Improve clarity and intelligibility of speech
Instant fix for nasty comb filter effects

Acon Digital DeFilter is available for both Windows (PC) and OS X (Macintosh). There are 32 and 64 bit versions for Windows and the Mac version is 64 bit. The plug-in formats VST, VST3, AAX and Audio Units (OS X only) are supported.

Audio Assault: D-REZ Drum Resonance Remover

[Passing Bye]

There's also DSEQ from TBProAudio

[peterdh]

Thank you all for your contributions to this topic

[DJ Warmonger]

I try to EQ this out by first boosting a bell shape EQ with a narrow frequency band and when resonances are detected

We're not living in 1970s anymore, there are graphic EQs to do the job. Just set the long integration time for spectrum analyzer and you can see resonant peaks immediately.