The Missing Fundamental.

[Filthzilla]

Got a mate of mine who's a studio producer...

He told me the other day that he can create the illusion of bass.
I wasn't convinced at first but he explained that instead of using low frequences [20Hz - 150Hz] you can create a harmonic higher up at 150Hz - 1000Hz that tricks the ear into thinking that there's more low frequencies present.

This is called the 'missing fundamental': http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missing_fundamental

This is achieved with a bit of hardware called 'MaxxBass'. [But I think you can actually get a VST for this. ]


Skip to 2:35 for the demonstration.

All in all, pretty impressive, halfing the peak size of your sub would give you a lot of room in the mix and throw a spanner in the works as far as the gain structure is concerned.

Anyone come across this before?

Maxxbass: http://www.waves.com/Content.aspx?id=327

[-[2]DAY_-]

afaik it isn't a piece of hardware. Just a plugin. I have it, and it's done wonders for my bass guitar, but not synth. Not for me.

[Filthzilla]

afaik it isn't a piece of hardware. Just a plugin. I have it, and it's done wonders for my bass guitar, but not synth. Not for me.

Ahh okay cool. I only have use for a VST anyway. Can you tell me what it's like on a synth bass? I make 'midrange cack' so I'm wondering how that might effect a bassline.

[-[2]DAY_-]

i never got anything out of it on a synth that I liked. I focus more on the synthesis and use regular compressors and eq's afterwards. It's amazing for bass guitar.

I don't think it's gonna work as a mix tool on synth, but as a special effect type thing, who knows. It basically gives you a crossover frequency, and a couple of type of curves for the maxxbass output, which blends with the dry signal at the crossover. the maxxbass curve can be a bandpass or high/low shelf. likely cause a lot of dampening of upper freq's on big synths, bc its designed for bass guitar i think. Is there a demo?

Another plugin you might want to look at, if you have a UAD card, is their precision enhancer Hz.
Its very similar but has different modes and has a mode designed for synth, and another for kick drums:

[flatfaced]

i've started a thread with a similar question not long ago :

http://www.dogsonacid.com/showthread.php?t=712435

[Filthzilla]

Ahh okay, I'll have a look.

This is obviously not a new thing...

Just the concept of tricking someone's ears into thinking there is more bass is pretty cool to me.

[flatfaced]

Ahh okay, I'll have a look.

This is obviously not a new thing...

didnt mean am first or smthn...Pastin it cuz there are sum nice readings

[-[2]DAY_-]

wonder what happens when you slap it on a synth with lots of FM going on...