KVR Audio

z.electric · Post by **z.electric** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 10:41 am

Hi all.

I've noticed on quite a variety of VSTs that bass instruments tend to have particular notes where the synth seems to resonate really heavily - like it's got a single note which has a loud patch.

For example, let's say I was to "measure" the apparent (to my ears) DB output for each note on a single scale of a bas sinstrument. I often find I get something like this:

A: -8dB
B: -8dB
C: -8dB
E: -3dB
F: -8dB
G: -8dB
A2: -8dB

Often, even just a single semi-tone away from the offending note wont give me the loudness peak...

I've tried a range of measures (EQ, limiting, compression, changing velocity) to try and feather this down a bit but it's hard for me to both find the offending frequency range, and make sure that the rest of the synth (the other notes) aren't screwed up due to my rather heavy handed application of FX.

Is this a common issue, or is it just my ears?
Are there some typical go-to tips that folks have for dealing with this?

thanks,

Orchidius · Post by **Orchidius** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 11:18 am

Most definately this is due to an untreated room. Google "room modes".

z.electric · Post by **z.electric** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 12:16 pm

Orchidius wrote:Most definately this is due to an untreated room. Google "room modes".

I think you're right, because the gain meter on the output is not showing any obvious volume difference, but I can hear it.

maclean · Post by **maclean** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 1:54 pm

bass traps are likely the solution! If you where to put on a pair of headphones you would likely not hear the effect!

Depending on your position in the room will also change the results!

Due to the sound waves bouncing off the walls, in some areas of your room the waves will double up creating a perceived greater volume.

Lots of info out there, i've read books on the topic!

Orchidius · Post by **Orchidius** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 6:15 pm

maclean wrote:bass traps are likely the solution!

This depends heavily on the room's size and dimensions. If the room is very small bass traps won't change that much. Cubic dimensions abet resonances as well.

Take a look over here:

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/studio-b ... acoustics/

lfm · Post by **lfm** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 11:36 am

If it's the same in headphones I guess it's not about the room?

risome · Post by **risome** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 11:50 am

Definitely your listening environment .Its a perceived loudness.

Brouwers · Post by **Brouwers** » Sun Apr 15, 2012 10:37 am

I too have a question about this topic.
I had a bass playing notes over mutiple octaves. And the D1 note sounded much more bassy then the d2 note. How do you cope with this, I seperated the notes and then eq'd differently. But since I have an untreated room there is no real way of knowing if its correct.

VibraSound · Post by **VibraSound** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 9:33 am

Brouwers wrote:I too have a question about this topic.
I had a bass playing notes over mutiple octaves. And the D1 note sounded much more bassy then the d2 note. How do you cope with this, I seperated the notes and then eq'd differently. But since I have an untreated room there is no real way of knowing if its correct.

Check the level meters and make sure D1 volume is the same as D2.
You can also fine tune individual notes velocity (volume).

individual notes on some (mostly bass) vst instruments too loud