Certain bass notes disappear

Smallmouth_Bass · #1 12-10-2006, 08:55 AM

Have you ever experienced certain situations when certain bass notes disappear when you are playing? I've played a couple of rooms that for some reason, when I play a low Eb, the volume really goes down in comparison to the other notes. Is it possible that certain rooms gobble up certain frequencies and therefore give a perceived drop in volume or tone? Have any of you experienced this before?

sinophysiker · #2 12-11-2006, 08:37 AM

It's reason able. Ordinarily, each sound absorbing Material has its own absorb spectrum. Rooms too I guess.

zazz · #3 12-11-2006, 08:46 AM

it could also be deadspots!! on the neck....obviously not if its room dependant.

The Mock Turtle Regulator · #4 12-11-2006, 09:12 AM

yeah, sometimes a hollow stage absorbs some notes, and accentuates others.
the trouble is, you tend to try and compensate by thrashing out the dead notes and going lightly on the boomy ones, but out front they may sound even.

dave_p · #5 12-11-2006, 02:13 PM

you are experiencing 'standing waves' .depending on the room, materials, shape, your position etc the waves can do all sorts of things, like resonate materials and seem louder, or bounce around and cancel themselves also, a lot of bass notes (especially lower ones) are very long, some more than 40 feet. the wave has left the room before ending. you cant hear it, but the guy outside paying his cover charge can hear it great.

thats why in a bar, the bass and drums sound kicka$$ in the bathroom. those low waves penetrate materials and keep going, unlike highs that reflect and bounce around.

Smallmouth_Bass · #6 12-14-2006, 10:01 PM

That makes sense. The notes are definitely not dead spots.

Jazzin' · #7 12-14-2006, 10:42 PM

It's because Montreal has different laws of physics then the rest of the world!

jsbass · #8 12-15-2006, 09:49 PM

I notice that too, whenever I play my G (3rd fret E string) it is really loud and boomy in my room compared to the other notes, just has to do with the room I guess.

Bassist4Life · #9 12-15-2006, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzin'

It's because Montreal has different laws of physics then the rest of the world!

Joe

El-Bob · #10 12-17-2006, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzin'

It's because Montreal has different laws of physics then the rest of the world!

HAHAHAHAHA! good one

BuffaloBass · #11 12-19-2006, 09:18 AM

Ha, I would have guess the great hi octane brew up there!
Upper Yukon,,,yummmmm , Moslon Stock Ale... yummmm...

Alexander · #12 12-19-2006, 03:03 PM

I think so - the church I used to play in would do that to F# (our worship leader was the first to notice it...). I'd have to hit that F# really hard to hear it at all. Not sure if it was room or band dynamics, but it was consistent week to week...

Baryonyx · #13 12-19-2006, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexander

I think so - the church I used to play in would do that to F# (our worship leader was the first to notice it...). I'd have to hit that F# really hard to hear it at all. Not sure if it was room or band dynamics, but it was consistent week to week...

The recording room at my school does that! It sucks the F# right up! Seems like everyone would rather play a G instead.

**bassybill** · #14 12-19-2006, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave_p

... a lot of bass notes (especially lower ones) are very long, some more than 40 feet.

Sounds about right for a low B, yes.

Quote:

the wave has left the room before ending. you cant hear it, but the guy outside paying his cover charge can hear it great.

Not quite sure I follow the physics here, although the phenomenon sounds familiar.