Discuss the various methods you use in music production, from compressor settings to equipment type.
By kingquota Thu Oct 27, 2005 4:35 pm
whats up people?

i have a behringer B-1 mic, i use it to mainly record vocals, but sometimes instruments.

i am curious as to what the low-pass filter is, and how it should effectiviely. i am kind of new to home recording, so bare with me.

By ripple Thu Oct 27, 2005 5:30 pm
So what is it, a low-cut or a low-pass filter? They're the exact opposite.

On mics you may find a low-cut filter to avoid hum and static noises. Never used it though, as any decent mixer has one built in.

By kingquota Fri Oct 28, 2005 1:56 am
sorry dude, my bad, i cant believe i didn't see that when i re-read my post

low-cut

says in the manual. thanks.

this i sthe part im curious about. it says:

"With the low-cut filter on, the B-1 provides an almost linear frequency response with signals picked up at close proximity to the source."

wtf is that? i dont understand,

then it continues:

"The built in shielding minimizes the microphone's sensitivity to high-frequency interference."

any help is appreaciated.

By lo-fi Fri Oct 28, 2005 9:01 pm
kingquota wrote:"With the low-cut filter on, the B-1 provides an almost linear frequency response with signals picked up at close proximity to the source."


Mics, especially large-diphragm mics, exhibit something that's called 'the proximity effect' - when used at close proximity to the source (say, less than 5 inches), lower frequencies are emphasized. This can be used for effect, for instance if you want a really intimate, close-up sound, or need to get as much lows as you can from a source.

According to the manual, the low-cut filter ehm, cuts low frequencies, to compensate for the proximity effect if you need to use the mic up close but don't want the extra lows.

Mixing desks and preamps often have a dedicated low-cut filter, on simple units this is usually a switch that engages a 12db/oct filter at 80hz or something similar. This is used to eliminate low frequency rumble and mic handling noise, or basically any lows that you don't want. The filter on the B-1 is 6db/oct at 75hz, so it's less extreme but still very useful for this purpose.

kingquota wrote:"The built in shielding minimizes the microphone's sensitivity to high-frequency interference."


They put some extra shielding in the mic so you don't pick up the radio or electrical noise.

By kingquota Sat Oct 29, 2005 2:16 am
alright people. i think i get it. thanks

By morgan Sun Oct 30, 2005 10:38 am
lo-fi wrote:Mics, especially large-diphragm mics, exhibit something that's called 'the proximity effect' - when used at close proximity to the source (say, less than 5 inches), lower frequencies are emphasized.

Hate to be pedantic, as that was a great explanation, but proximity effect occurs with directional mics, it's a byproduct of the porting that gives them the directionality. A large diaphragm omnidirectional mic won't have proximity effect.

Oh yeah, and the low cut is also good at removing low frequency rumbles that might be transmitted through the mic stand that might get picked up and muddy your mix.

By lo-fi Sun Oct 30, 2005 10:43 am
morgan wrote:
lo-fi wrote:Mics, especially large-diphragm mics, exhibit something that's called 'the proximity effect' - when used at close proximity to the source (say, less than 5 inches), lower frequencies are emphasized.

Hate to be pedantic, as that was a great explanation, but proximity effect occurs with directional mics, it's a byproduct of the porting that gives them the directionality. A large diaphragm omnidirectional mic won't have proximity effect.


You're absolutely correct, thanks.