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Low pass and high pass filtering for recording bass: hardware vs software

Junta

Junta

Aug 11, 2016
617
910
#1
I have been recording guitar and bass for fun for a while now, and I think I am finally ready to be better informed... :)

I have access to the following Focusrite plug-in suite, including the EQ. I will start with reading the manual for these, because I think the EQ can be (kind of )used for low pass and high pass filtering.

Copyright: Focusrite
scarlett_plugin_suite279.jpg


There must be more specialized HPF and LPF plug-ins out there, I will look into those too.

I got compression well covered on the hardware side of things (I have an Empress Effects Compressor and a Seymour Duncan Studio Bass Compressor), but for HPF and LPF, I think I want to remain on the software side, unless there are better hardware solutions out there which a re not too expensive.

I would appreciate any links to online 'how to' type articles, instructional videos, etc.

For what it is worth, here are two pieces I recorded to give you an idea about where I am with recording (and playing... :confused: - it is all me guitars and bass...):

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Thank you,

Cheers!
 
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#3
ddnidd1 said:
The Focusrite EQ will do exactly what you are looking for.
Click to expand...

Thanks ddnidd1. It looks like, the Focusrite EQ gives two options:

  1. Shelving (18bd of cut available) with a preset amount of shelving
  2. High-Pass Filtering, with the option to adjust the slope from gentle to steep
Which one of these is more appropriate for recording 4 and 5 string bass? What I am trying to accomplish is to get rid of the unnecessary, boomy, muddying low-low end (where does that start? At 60hz? 50? 40?)

Cheers!
 
#8
Junta said:
Thanks ddnidd1. It looks like, the Focusrite EQ gives two options:

  1. Shelving (18bd of cut available) with a preset amount of shelving
  2. High-Pass Filtering, with the option to adjust the slope from gentle to steep
Which one of these is more appropriate for recording 4 and 5 string bass? What I am trying to accomplish is to get rid of the unnecessary, boomy, muddying low-low end (where does that start? At 60hz? 50? 40?)

Cheers!
Click to expand...

How do you monitor low end? High quality headphones? Are you sure the unnecessary, boomy, muddy low end isn't coming from room modes?

Otto
 
#9
ofajen said:
How do you monitor low end? High quality headphones? Are you sure the unnecessary, boomy, muddy low end isn't coming from room modes?

Otto
Click to expand...
The most cost effective way to monitor and mix bass is with a decent set of studio monitoring headphones (about $99). You can also use a decent set of near field studio monitors, they run about $300+ for a pair. With monitors you'll benefit from setting up your mixing area for acoustics to be optimal. This will consists of bass traps, and other acoustic material to get your sound as true as possible. This requires learning about acoustics and how your room can be set up for mixing.

But more important, it will take a lot of trial and error mixing, and exporting the tracks to your digital listening devices to train your ears on what your adjustments in the mix do to a final product. This is where you'll need to spend a lot of time to see what your mixing adjustments do to a final product. Once you find the sound you like, you can create presets with FX and EQ to get that similar sound. But, it takes effort, and studying how to mix, EQ, learning frequencies, and instrument frequencies, etc...
Sounds like a lot of work. But the more you do, the better you get, and the better your ears get.
Protect your hearing...
 
#10
Thanks guys; I do use higher end Audio-Technica monitoring headphones and Yorkville (local Canadian brand, known for very flat response) monitors. I also go to my home hifi and the car stereo for quick checks. Finally I give a pair of useless earbuds a try to get an idea what most people would hear...

I took the first song to the car this evening.... and it was a total failure - total bass-fatigue after 2 minutes... Just tooo much, and too deep bass. To be fair, I had intended that song to be a caricature of that genre...

I should really develop mixing and mastering routines I guess; shelving EQ, multi-band comression and limiting, etc...
 
#13
And I said:
finding what's best for the song and making that happen.
Click to expand...

I think I understand what you mean And I.

And you are right; it is fun... I am kind of re-living my teenage years when I could not afford even a simple acoustic... No Guitar. Nothing. But, hey... I still played awesome air guitar, and covered entire Iron Maiden sets...

For the record, I recently donated a decently set up acoustic to a young person, and I intend to do this periodically (to local Canadians, I meet in person or through local charity - My apologies to non-local folk, I cannot ship you a guitar).

That was my dream after all; someone donating me a guitar - any guitar!

Do it if you can! Feels so good.
 
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#17
I tried using HPF & LPF settings in my DAW (Ableton Live & Logic) to create a cab-sim. I had moderate success, but ultimately landed on a DSM OmniCab for that. Otherwise, the Live native 8-band is a pretty easy to use, if you're using that software. 1-pole and 4-pole and shelving EQ options.
 
#19
Junta said:
I think I understand what you mean And I.

And you are right; it is fun... I am kind of re-living my teenage years when I could not afford even a simple acoustic... No Guitar. Nothing. But, hey... I still played awesome air guitar, and covered entire Iron Maiden sets...

For the record, I recently donated a decently set up acoustic to a young person, and I intend to do this periodically (to local Canadians, I meet in person or through local charity - My apologies to non-local folk, I cannot ship you a guitar).

That was my dream after all; someone donating me a guitar - any guitar!

Do it if you can! Feels so good.
Click to expand...

That's great! You can check out the Barry Penny foundation if you're in Alberta.
 
#20
Junta said:
I have been recording guitar and bass for fun for a while now, and I think I am finally ready to be better informed... :)

I have access to the following Focusrite plug-in suite, including the EQ. I will start with reading the manual for these, because I think the EQ can be (kind of )used for low pass and high pass filtering.

Copyright: Focusrite
View attachment 2769714

There must be more specialized HPF and LPF plug-ins out there, I will look into those too.

I got compression well covered on the hardware side of things (I have an Empress Effects Compressor and a Seymour Duncan Studio Bass Compressor), but for HPF and LPF, I think I want to remain on the software side, unless there are better hardware solutions out there which a re not too expensive.

I would appreciate any links to online 'how to' type articles, instructional videos, etc.

For what it is worth, here are two pieces I recorded to give you an idea about where I am with recording (and playing... :confused: - it is all me guitars and bass...):

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Thank you,

Cheers!
Click to expand...

I personally prefer the hardware, since it enables me to get the same results live as well, but if you aren't interested in checking out a @tech21nyc Q/Strip or @Dsmnoisemaker OmniCabSim that software will certainly do the trick :thumbsup:

 

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