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Double Bass NS Design NXT Megathread

#1,562
fivestringgecko said:
@Zbysek Ah, gotcha!

Well, if EQing doesn't get you where you want to go, maybe a low pass filter would work for you? I'm using one set at 3.5kHz and have been quite happy with the results. Still not true acoustic upright sound of course, but we'll never really get there until we get acoustic uprights! ;)

5sg.
Click to expand...

Low pass filter is a useful tool, indeed...

But I think cutting some mids will help with "mwah" better, I believe. I will have to experiment with parametric EQ to find the right frequency, I guess...
 
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#1,563
Zbysek said:
Low pass filter is a useful tool, indeed...

But I think cutting some mids will help with "mwah" better, I believe. I will have to experiment with parametric EQ to find the right frequency, I guess...
Click to expand...
This is exactly what I was about to suggest, but then I realised I'd probably be teaching you to suck eggs.
Now, the tricky question is whether it's just in one frequency, or proportional to the note you're playing.
 
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#1,564
Zbysek said:
Low pass filter is a useful tool, indeed...

But I think cutting some mids will help with "mwah" better, I believe. I will have to experiment with parametric EQ to find the right frequency, I guess...
Click to expand...

Keep us posted on your progress!

I just realized that the LPF may work for me because I'm using it in conjunction with an impulse response, and I'm not sure what they've got going on for EQing within that IR.

5sg.
 
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#1,565
equill said:
This is exactly what I was about to suggest, but then I realised I'd probably be teaching you to suck eggs.
Now, the tricky question is whether it's just in one frequency, or proportional to the note you're playing.
Click to expand...

I think it's a range...but my understanding is that it should not be all that dependant on the particular note you play...

I think I remember that there was a certain frequency (range) which makes fretless bass "sing" if boosted...

My thinking is that it's probably the same frequency which I am trying to find.

I just can't find the advice re "singing" fretless...
 
#1,566
Zbysek said:
I think it's a range...but my understanding is that it should not be all that dependant on the particular note you play...

I think I remember that there was a certain frequency (range) which makes fretless bass "sing" if boosted...

My thinking is that it's probably the same frequency which I am trying to find.

I just can't find the advice re "singing" fretless...
Click to expand...
Ah, now I get what you mean. Not necessarily the mwah itself, but the tonality that says "this is a FRETLESS!!!"
Most likely somewhere in the upper mids, and yes, a parametric EQ will be your best bet for finding it.

I'm not a huge fan of that sound myself - ironic, because I love playing fretless.
 
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#1,568
equill said:
Ah, now I get what you mean. Not necessarily the mwah itself, but the tonality that says "this is a FRETLESS!!!"
Click to expand...

Exactly!

equill said:
Most likely somewhere in the upper mids.
Click to expand...

I tend to think so too

equill said:
I'm not a huge fan of that sound myself - ironic, because I love playing fretless.
Click to expand...

I used to love that sound. But my preferences have changed. This kind of sound is nice if it is in one or two songs per set... But becomes boring/annoying if it is in every song... ​
 
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#1,569
The "mwah" effect is, in effect, a 100% mechanical envelope following low-pass filter, like the bridge of a sitar, only in the case of a fretless or upright, it's not the mechanics of string oscillations being damped by the bridge, but by the fingerboard. That's why the usual way of tweaking it on a fretless or EUB is to tweak the neck/bridge setup for a higher/lower action. Because it's dynamic, with the response changing with decay, it's going to be difficult to control with statically configured EQ. If you're on a DAW or have some old-school modular synth gear kicking around, you can experiment with an envelope follower modulating the frequency and/or resonance of the filter, but that's not going to be helpful on stage.
 
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#1,570
Sid Fang said:
The "mwah" effect is, in effect, a 100% mechanical envelope following low-pass filter, like the bridge of a sitar, only in the case of a fretless or upright, it's not the mechanics of string oscillations being damped by the bridge, but by the fingerboard. That's why the usual way of tweaking it on a fretless or EUB is to tweak the neck/bridge setup for a higher/lower action. Because it's dynamic, with the response changing with decay, it's going to be difficult to control with statically configured EQ. If you're on a DAW or have some old-school modular synth gear kicking around, you can experiment with an envelope follower modulating the frequency and/or resonance of the filter, but that's not going to be helpful on stage.
Click to expand...
This is what had me thinking of the pitch-tracking filters on the SourceAudio C4. I know the Spectrum has the same filter section, but not whether it incorporates the pitch-tracking part.
 
#1,571
Raise the action (and put a little more scoop in the neck). The mwah, like Sid said, is from the fingerboard interacting with the vibrating string. If you want MORE mwah on a fretless bass guitar, you set the action as low as practical. The opposite, you'll find, will generally be true with the EUB.
 
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#1,573
@J R Knots

I have a NordyMute for electric bass and it's quite slick, so I'll probably pick up a NinoMute in the not too distant future (maybe when gigs start coming back). I saw Ed Friedland's recent demo video of the NinoMute, and there are a couple other demos on Youtube as well. Given how handy the NordyMute can be, the NinoMute could be a great addition to upright as well.

5sg.
 
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#1,578
J R Knots said:
I am ordering one from Gollihur Music!!!!

Thanks Five String Gecko.
Click to expand...

Eadger said:
....and sold!! I’m grabbing one too. This seems like exactly what I’ve been looking for!
Click to expand...

Looking forward to hearing reports back from both of you!

Hendricks97 said:
I've been using window insulation foam and don't see any reason to spend the money on this unless someone can provide a reason it works better
Click to expand...

I've tried a couple different muting options on upright, including a towel wound between strings and one of these big honking rubber mutes below. Much like the NordyMute on electric, the NinoMute is a much quicker on/off than something like a towel. Ed shows just how quick the NinoMute goes on and off. (coincidentally, he also did a video on the NordyMute)

I've tried the foam solution in the past on electric and it's a pain because you have to scrunch foam under one string at a time. Pretty much negated the use of foam when going from modern pop to 60's Motown and back in my main cover band. (although I realize, not everyone is in a situation where they need to switch that often or that fast). The NordyMute pops on/off in maybe 2 seconds. SO much easier.

The Nordstrand mutes also use a material that's different from most soft squishy foams people traditionally use... it's a closed cell neoprene style rubber foam. Pretty durable, but still doesn't clamp down the sound TOO much. Anytime I've tried the foam route on electric, I've had to get a big chunk of foam or sponge to squish down under the strings to get the same sound as the NordyMute, and the Nordy is small and compact. The mute below is almost a plastic by comparison, and mounts on the bridge, and it didn't do much of anything on an acoustic upright.

So I guess to answer your question: Weather stripping is probably a great option, but the NordyMute is a big "quality of life" thing. They look more professional than foam (if it matters) and are super easy on/off. A slick little tool. I would imagine the NinoMute is the same.

5sg.

upright mute.jpg
 
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