Specifications

DSM HRTF Mic Power & Bass Filter Page
file:///D|/Sonicweb%20Dreamweaver%20Edition_Recent/pa_x.htm[4/3/2010 12:43:52 PM]
FEELing" of the music; this is big part of the live sound that I personally find important.
However, very "thin sounding recordings" are MORE OFTEN caused by POST BASS
Filtering in a digital sound editing (DAW) program than by the use of real-time
microphone filtering, but both mechanisms can do equal damage or benefit to a
recording DEPENDING.
That's 'Depending' on your own taste in sound preferences and 'depending' on
what's the most important aspects of a particular music style. For example; Maybe
some Metal Rock styles are most cherished by the majority of their fans for that
'screaming in-you-face' guitar/vocals style that is impossible to hear from being buried
in massive bass sounds if played 'straight' on home stereos. Lose most of the bass by
filtering and you'll get the "in-your-face" guitar/vocal aspect much easier with regular
good quality consumer playback gear. The only problem is it's a bit on the thin sound
side of live, but the more important aspects of the music is most accessible to fans.
QUESTION: Would you THINK to strip the 'Gut Thumping Bass' sound out of REGGAE music?
Well, of course you could, either during the recording with a mic filter OR afterwards with POST in pure
digital editing.
But, before you do it, please try to remember that a big part of Reggae and African music IS THE
POWERFUL BASS Sounds.
Of Course THERE ARE TIMES when you really NEED OR SHOULD
(and maybe ONLY SLIGHTLY) reduce the Bass to achieve a better
balance between a 'live sound' feel and what's going to work with most
speaker playback systems we have at home or automobile.
Just be careful to not take away too much low frequency sound that the "ambient or live feel" of the
recording is inaccessible by a thin and over processed sounding recording.
Microphone TIP:
Use deck ONLY in 20 dB (LOW sensitivity) mic input setting. Adjust using only full Manual
record level adjust (no limiter) for VU levels to average at -12 dB VU; momentary bass peaks
recorded only to -4 dB VU maximum level. This is for getting cleanest sounding recording.
See tips page for more
PA adapter battery:
Use new AA alkaline (only this type) battery inside (PA + battery shipped ready to use). When
replacing PA battery, make sure + terminal polarity is correct as shown. You DO NOT need to
remove battery when not using. Unplugging mic from PA input jack turns OFF the battery
power, but do not plug anything (like PA output plug into input PA jack) when not using. AA
battery will last over 2000 hours in use and up to 2 years when placed in storage or when
nothing is plugged into the PA input jack.
BASS Reduction TIP:
Amount of Bass reduction (choice of filter frequency setting on PA adapter) will depend on the
venue live sound, and also where you are sitting or positioned when recording. If you find the
recording has too little bass sound, then remember where filter switch was set and adjust for
less reduction next time in similar sounding live venue situation.
Recordings with too little bass (where bass was reduced by filter too much or de-
emphasized to sound too thin) can be fully restored using opposite 6 dB per octave
'emphasis' starting at the filter frequency used when making the recording; less
than 6 dB/octave bass emphasis is suggested when full bass restoration is too
much bass for balanced sound and for practical playback with normal speaker
systems.
There is no liability for recording quality if emphasis is done expertly, recordings
actually sound better when computer editing emphasis process is needed and then
applied properly.
This is because less bass recorded (reduced by bass filtering) means general
recording level can be increased (level knob turned up several notches when
making the live recording) so mid-to-high frequency audio details are digitized