Shoring up a synth with a simple sine wav?

Discuss the various methods you use in music production, from compressor settings to equipment type.
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Shoring up a synth with a simple sine wav?

By Jfalconcrest Wed Apr 14, 2010 4:30 pm
OK, here's the million dollar question:

I'm using a soft synth (OLGA) to create a fuzzy bass note. It sounds good, esp. in the mid range. However, the bottom end is slightly filtered out because I didn't like the way that sounded. CAN I use a simple sine wave tuned to the pitch and extremely low pass filtered to sort of reinforce the bottom end? Might this cause problems like phasing that I may not hear in my monitors?
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Re: Shoring up a synth with a simple sine wav?

By Lampdog Wed Apr 14, 2010 4:55 pm
Only thing I can think it is to go ahead and try it and see if you get the results you want.
It won't hurt to try. Listen to the result with good headphones also.
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Re: Shoring up a synth with a simple sine wav?

By Jfalconcrest Wed Apr 14, 2010 9:37 pm
I'm definitely experimenting. It sounds fine in the cans as well as over my Events... I'm worried about playing it in larger clubs. I don't have a Sub Bass Monitor... Is one of these necisary?
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Re: Shoring up a synth with a simple sine wav?

By Dr. Feelgood Thu Apr 15, 2010 5:29 am
Jfalconcrest wrote:OK, here's the million dollar question:

I'm using a soft synth (OLGA) to create a fuzzy bass note. It sounds good, esp. in the mid range. However, the bottom end is slightly filtered out because I didn't like the way that sounded. CAN I use a simple sine wave tuned to the pitch and extremely low pass filtered to sort of reinforce the bottom end? Might this cause problems like phasing that I may not hear in my monitors?


Are you using any kind of compression on your tracks?

Compression will usually remedy any 'phasing' that may occur if all of your levels are mixed right.
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Re: Shoring up a synth with a simple sine wav?

By Jfalconcrest Thu Apr 15, 2010 10:46 am
Dr. Feelgood wrote:
Jfalconcrest wrote:OK, here's the million dollar question:

I'm using a soft synth (OLGA) to create a fuzzy bass note. It sounds good, esp. in the mid range. However, the bottom end is slightly filtered out because I didn't like the way that sounded. CAN I use a simple sine wave tuned to the pitch and extremely low pass filtered to sort of reinforce the bottom end? Might this cause problems like phasing that I may not hear in my monitors?


Are you using any kind of compression on your tracks?

Compression will usually remedy any 'phasing' that may occur if all of your levels are mixed right.


Compression can help with phasing? By the way, I believe I've got the problem nailed. But, I'd still like to know.
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Re: Shoring up a synth with a simple sine wav?

By AntonPD Thu Apr 15, 2010 11:14 am
boogaloo wrote:yes, use a sine wave but don't filter it because a pure sine wave has no harmonics and there's nothing to filter - it's just a fundamental.


yeah but sometimes filters add harmonics (due to distortion for example) that still give the impression of hearing a sine, but when in fact the original sine in comparison to the added harmonics is a lot quieter... can be handy for headroom, but i think youll lose the 'physical impact' it has. is that right?

also, even a 'perfect' filter on a sine can be handy to get the balance right between the sine and the other bass, but it depends..
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Re: Shoring up a synth with a simple sine wav?

By Lampdog Thu Apr 15, 2010 1:43 pm
beach_break wrote:whack a hpf on it and remove any uber low frequencies if you're worried about blowing speakers.

I always do that in vegas and sound forge "remove very low inaudible freqs" is a native plugin.
It frees up your components from trying to reproduce inaudible low freqs that you simply can't hear anyway and gives
you a smaller bit of headroom also.

Re: Shoring up a synth with a simple sine wav?

By goldslum Sat Apr 17, 2010 4:22 pm
Jfalconcrest wrote:Thanks much for all the input, I think my question has changed to "Do I need a Sub Monitor?"

-JF
no. just filter out the inaudible low freq's. and make sure all your different sounds aren't fighting for the same frequencies. gotta get a little precise. if we're talking about kicks and bass, chances are your "awesome mid sound" doesnt care if you cut it's "unecessary low end". since your low sound is going to have "awesome low end" it won't mind of you cut its mid/hi freq's... i'd stay away from a sub. just mix and use your brain and ears to the best of your ability and listen to that mix on as many speakers as you can, sub or no sub. cheers.
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