Re: [AH] Possibly OT: Bass Traps for synth room

From Rob Walker
Sent Mon, Feb 18th 2019, 15:44

Biggest problem with untreated domestic rooms is the room modes accentuate c=
ertain specific bass frequencies. So one track which uses certain notes in t=
he scale will be mixed a certain way, another a different way. Then you have=
 inconsistencies between your tracks. In general the mixes end up bass light=
 - treated rooms have less LF resonances, so you tend to mix the bass freque=
ncies higher.

Some music is just unlistenable in cars - deep bass often gets masked by the=
 engine noise. Cars lie in a different way, but I agree they are useful for u=
nderstanding what pokes out and what gets lost. Another trick I use is liste=
ning with the door open from the hall - it has a certain averaging effect an=
d lets you hear certain types of problem.

Rob


> On 18 Feb 2019, at 10:51, Brian Willoughby <xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx> wrote=
:
>=20
> You could save yourself the 7 repetitions by using a laptop and a car ster=
eo with a digital input (maybe even an analog input).
>=20
> About 18 years ago, I got a new car and installed a Nakamichi 6-disc in-da=
sh changer with an outboard DAC. The DAC also had a spare S/PDIF input that c=
ould be selected from the front panel. My passenger seat then had a permanen=
t cable dangling behind the seat. After an initial mix in the studio, I woul=
d copy the Logic Studio Pro project to my Mac laptop and head to the car. A s=
imple USB Audio interface with S/PDIF outputs was all that was needed to int=
erface to my car in a manner that was identical to burning a CD for playback=
. Between this car stereo setup, MD-7506 headphones, and the studio monitors=
, I was able to check mastering on three completely different systems.
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> Of course, any improvements you make to your studio will help.
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> I also have a home theatre system that includes a microphone for calibrati=
on. The four corners, center, and sub are all adjusted for time delay and am=
plitude matching. I=E2=80=99ve found that the biggest step in accurate sound=
 is to correctly set the level of the subwoofer. Too many systems have a sub=
woofer that=E2=80=99s too small, or the volume of the sub is cranked up too h=
igh. Calibration helps make sure that the reinforcement of the sub is subtle=
, not overdone. Then, when you mix for a properly balanced sub, your mixes w=
ill also be subtle and powerful, as appropriate.
>=20
> Brian
>=20
>=20
>> On Feb 14, 2019, at 12:20 PM, Kenny Balys <xxxxx@xxxxxxxx.xxx> wrote:
>> The problem I am trying to fix is one that I didn't know I had.
>>=20
>> My mixes are always inaccurate on the low end. As such, its
>> my habit to drop a test mix onto a SD card and run out to the car
>> to listen. The car tells me where the problems are. Then I run
>> back inside and adjust. This repeats about 7 (or more) times
>> per mix.
>>=20