So what does "punch" mean, anyway?

[Chad Michael]

Punch comes from the amp and speaker, but is also very much impacted by the acoustic environment. You could have a super punchy rig, but if there is a strong diffuse reverberant field with a long decay time, it's generally not possible to produce a punchy sound over any significant distance. The lows tend to bounce around then mush together, so that the sound is essentially incoherent.

Again, listen to Wasnex. The voice of reason.

Thru my rig, and the one time I played thru the classic Ampeg fridge, if the audience could only hear what I heard... punch for days...

As the guy who also ran the board in my last few bands, I always got compliments on our mix. However, I could never give the punch to the room, so to speak. How do I know? I'd play wireless to hear the room, and the delicious punch on the stage was nearly always lost in the room.

 

[Gad Zooks]

Concrete Jungle punches (through the mix).

But it the tone? Is it the time? A feel? A combination?

 

[bbh]

To me, I always thought punch meant you can feel it in your chest.

 

[micguy]

I’ve played bass for over 40 years, and run FOH for hundreds of shows, and was never clear on what “punch” means.

80 posts into this thread, it’s...not any clearer.

Given the lack of consensus, I’m OK with that.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

Something you "spike" at a party.

 

[Maynjo]

When I think of “punch” I think of relatively fast attack, mid presence, strong fundamental and a bit of compression.

What he said.

 

[bassdude51]

Can't resist............

I don't really know how to verbally describe "punch" for bass guitar but IMHO, punch is based on the kind of strings used, amp setting and frequency range. IMHO, punch resides in the A note of 55 hz to G note of 98 hz range. Any lower or higher, punch doesn't present itself so good. That's just my opinion.

Punch doesn't go from 0 to 100 mph. It goes from 100 mph to 100 mph immediately. It's a sound that's like getting "gut punched". Firm. Solid. Strong. Perhaps a low-midrange sound.

In the meantime.............punch anyone?

 

[Thumpin6string]

To me, punch is exactly what you would think it is. When you play, the bass punches you in the face or chest or where ever. In other words, you feel it as well as hear it. A soft, smooth mellow bass has no punch.

 

[Rum Ham]

We have so many terms to describe bass sound but I suspect that few of us really have clear definitions of them. We think we're clearly communicating but I suspect often we not even speaking the same language.

I'd love to have some definitions in terms of volume & frequency. No fair using the term to define the term ("Smooth, you know - when it sounds smooth like a gentle breeze").

• Growly
• In-Your-Face
• Hi-Fi
• Vintage
• Full
• Smooth
• Bite
• Bark
• Burp
• Fart (sorry, but I'm not making these up)
• Thud
• Thump

And the one that leaves me the most confused:

• Punch

I can’t describe it but I know what it is when I hear it.

 

[4dog]

Wow. No clear consensus on this at all.

“Punch” to me is in the high-bass, low mid area - 100 to 250 hz. A really punchy sound, regardless of other characteristics, is one I feel as a physical impact on the body - fast in attack, but often with a quick decay to the sensation.

I’m surprised people are describing “punch” as something in the high-mid/treble frequencies. I personally would never describe a treble instrument, like a violin or trumpet for example, as “punchy”.

i really like yoir descrption ..and totally agree.

 

[4dog]

Let's hear some examples. Is this punchy?

wouldnt call that punchy personally

 

[4dog]

To my surprise, IMHO yes.

How about this?

wouldnt call this punchy either...but it does sound clear and pianoesque...if thats a word

 

[JMacBass65]

JPJ is normally (mentally) associated with his Jazz Bass. I think I read somewhere, he recorded with the early P bass on many songs. (Lemon Song, for sure?)

Zep 1&2 were almost certainly his Jazz exclusively. With his early precision he favored playing with a pick, and rounds, and he started using it quite a bit around 1970/71, you can hear it raging in bootlegged rehearsal/song writing sessions for LZ4. It is quite a different tone than what he went for with his Jazz.

Tubes and tens.

Yeah, this.

THIS is Punch.

Best example so far, IMHO.

 

[zon6c-f]

We have so many terms to describe bass sound but I suspect that few of us really have clear definitions of them. We think we're clearly communicating but I suspect often we not even speaking the same language.

I'd love to have some definitions in terms of volume & frequency. No fair using the term to define the term ("Smooth, you know - when it sounds smooth like a gentle breeze").

• Growly
• In-Your-Face
• Hi-Fi
• Vintage
• Full
• Smooth
• Bite
• Bark
• Burp
• Fart (sorry, but I'm not making these up)
• Thud
• Thump

And the one that leaves me the most confused:

• Punch

All are subjective and in my opinion, Punch is boosted midrange ; sound punches through VS being lost in the mix.

hi-fi equals transparent tone ; no inherent tone coloration from head or speaker

Hope this helps !

 

[Zooberwerx]

"ADSR

• 
  
  
  • Attack is the time taken for initial run-up of level from nil to peak.
  • Decay is the time taken for the subsequent run down from the attack level to the designated sustain level.
  • Sustain is the level during the main sequence of the sound's duration.
  • Release is the time taken for the level to decay from the sustain level to zero.

While, attack, decay, and release refer to time, sustain refers to level."

Stolen from Wiki but one of the better descriptions / definitions IMO. Falls within the realm of audio compression, doesn't it?

Riis

 

[dbsfgyd1]

We have so many terms to describe bass sound but I suspect that few of us really have clear definitions of them. We think we're clearly communicating but I suspect often we not even speaking the same language.

I'd love to have some definitions in terms of volume & frequency. No fair using the term to define the term ("Smooth, you know - when it sounds smooth like a gentle breeze").

• Growly
• In-Your-Face
• Hi-Fi
• Vintage
• Full
• Smooth
• Bite
• Bark
• Burp
• Fart (sorry, but I'm not making these up)
• Thud
• Thump

And the one that leaves me the most confused:

• Punch

“Punch” as opposed to being slapped or hit with a pillow. I think Punch has to due with impact as opposed to the tone. It describes the physical attributes of the bass sound. How one arrives at punch is primarily done with the EQ of the bass and articulation (space between your notes) of your technique.

Higher frequencies are like a slap, lower frequencies are like a pillow, Where you get punch is in the low mids. JMO.

 

[rejb87]

You are all wrong, punch obviously means You need or are playing a.....

 

[Meaculpa]

• Growly : Good midrange
• In-Your-Face : Aggressive playing
• Hi-Fi : Active Tone
• Vintage : A P bass with flats & a FlipTop
• Full : Same as HiFi
• Smooth : Mellow playing
• Bite : Very trebly with string and frets sounds
• Bark : no idea
• Burp : a clipping head+cab? I guess
• Fart (sorry, but I'm not making these up) : a clipping head + cab.
• Thud : no idea.
• Thump : no idea.
• Punch : A Pbass with round wounds

 

[Rib 13]

And I would boost 250 hz to get more punch and 1000 Hz for more clarity or definition.

But I did start the thread by asking what punch is so maybe I am off base

Boost 400 or 450hz (depending on bass) wide about 4 or 5db and also boost 2K wide about 4 or 5 db, make sure your strings are very fresh, finger toward the bridge (but not too far), and you will have punch

250hz is a problem frequency that I would suggest not boosting but keep flat as possible or even cut narrow if needed. Not only are most rooms sympathetic to 250hz (especially with a high ceiling and hollow stage) but guitarist's chug/mutes also fill the 250hz slot.

 

[mellowgerman]

punch is "THWAP!"