Physics behind "growl"

[mrperkolator]

Hey Tim;

I agree with you that there are other sounds that are often called Growl too. They are very low frequency rattle, created by a distortion circuit in a pedal or a tube pre-amp. Then that rattle is mixed in with the rest of the sound, and the whole mix is usually EQ'd to be heavy in the low-mids. The actual rattle is, of course, a sub-low frequency. This creates an electronic somewhat-replica of the mechanical fret-buzz growl that I described above. It's not the same sound. In particular, it doesn't vary as much dynamically with the player's input as the mechanical growl. It's a synthetic growl. I'm sure there's a button for it on a keyboard too.

In the fingers of a skilled player, I think mechanical growl is much more interesting sounding. It's like a controlled rasp in a singers' voice.

I've enjoyed your posts on this. As someone who likes to measure things instead of using subjective terms, I like the more technical language. I would also suggest that some of the "growl" that we hear may be due to strings hitting pole pieces as well. I've got Bart 9J's (covered pole pieces) in my J bass and it is much cleaner now.

For those that like to eq out growl (as you have described it) to have a smoother tone, what could be done to eq out the synthetic growl? I'm guessing the same method could be used to boost it for those that have the opposite preference.... I'm asking about synthetic, because I can see raising the action helps with the other. Would a HPF get rid of that rattle/synthetic growl?

 

[groove pump]

I've enjoyed your posts on this. As someone who likes to measure things instead of using subjective terms, I like the more technical language. I would also suggest that some of the "growl" that we hear may be due to strings hitting pole pieces as well. I've got Bart 9J's (covered pole pieces) in my J bass and it is much cleaner now.

For those that like to eq out growl (as you have described it) to have a smoother tone, what could be done to eq out the synthetic growl? I'm guessing the same method could be used to boost it for those that have the opposite preference.... I'm asking about synthetic, because I can see raising the action helps with the other. Would a HPF get rid of that rattle/synthetic growl?

I can only say that I use a Broughton HPF to clean out the low stuff in my sound that's too boomy or muddy for a certain space. You might be thinking of a low-pass filter that progressively cuts off the higher freq's. I haven't used an LPF, but I don't try to include raspy, clicky high's in my sound.

I haven't done much in terms of experimenting with a decent parametric eq, but that could also be effective for controlling unwanted rattle or growl. A decent eq on an amp might be rather capable, but a parametric seems to be more "surgical" if you need to go after a specific frequency that's a bit too much.

 

[mrperkolator]

I can only say that I use a Broughton HPF to clean out the low stuff in my sound that's too boomy or muddy for a certain space. You might be thinking of a low-pass filter that progressively cuts off the higher freq's. I haven't used an LPF, but I don't try to include raspy, clicky high's in my sound.

I haven't done much in terms of experimenting with a decent parametric eq, but that could also be effective for controlling unwanted rattle or growl. A decent eq on an amp might be rather capable, but a parametric seems to be more "surgical" if you need to go after a specific frequency that's a bit too much.

I know how HPF filters are usually used -- that's why I said it. BUT you do bring up a good point even if you didn't intend to. I assumed he was talking about rattle in low frequencies, but the growl/rattle may be higher in frequencies.... Either way figuring out where the synthetic growl is and how to dial it in/out would be helpful

This thread hasn't helped my gas for a Source Audio EQ2....

 

[groove pump]

I know how HPF filters are usually used -- that's why I said it. BUT you do bring up a good point even if you didn't intend to. I assumed he was talking about rattle in low frequencies, but the growl/rattle may be higher in frequencies.... Either way figuring out where the synthetic growl is and how to dial it in/out would be helpful

This thread hasn't helped my gas for a Source Audio EQ2....

So it's true... rattle has an evil twin!!

I need to get a para eq, put on my headphones, and get lost for a day or two. I'll bet that the EQ2 has solutions to problems we haven't even thought of yet

 

[Swings]

So warwicks are known for their "growl" (especially the thumb), but I want to know is what causes that sound, and why it doesn't sound, say like a jazz bass, I mean they've got the same pickups, what separates a Thumb BO4 from an American Professional Jazz.

If anyone’s still interested:

here are a couple of bass sounds playing the same bassline.

How much growl is in either of the following recordings versus distortion or string/fret noise?





Here is a picture of what Ben Sheperd is understood to be playing on the album release

…And a list of his basses/rig

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there is only one bassline, “My Wave” (Superunknown, 1996) which stands out to me as having warm low end rasp-growl.
Apparently it was a JaZz Bass.



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