The Sytematic Mixing Guid - Chapter Bass

[JasinElric]

God damn. I have so many questions but I'm embarrassed to ask.

It's okay, that's what the internet is for.

 

[Vicioushead]

Ok here goes.

Can you explain signal to noise and how I would identify whether it is it is "fine". Also, I have no frikkin' clue what THD means.

Yes, I am clueless. I apologise in advance but this is something that I constantly worry about when tracking anything. "Should this be louder, is that signal strong enough etc".

 

[ArthurD]

Ok here goes.

Can you explain signal to noise and how I would identify whether it is it is "fine". Also, I have no frikkin' clue what THD means.

Yes, I am clueless. I apologise in advance but this is something that I constantly worry about when tracking anything. "Should this be louder, is that signal strong enough etc".

To get what fine is just low the gain maximum and record it. Then make it up and listen to the noise.
You should record hot enough to pass through this "noise" (THD). But low enough not to clip the converters.

 

[egan.]

THD = total harmonic distortion. It's exactly what it sounds like. Typically the harder you drive it the more you distort it.
I think fenixdoido meant S/N (Signal to noise ratio) which is also what it sounds like. Every circuit has inherent noise and you want your signal well above it.
What Ermz was saying is you want to be above the noise floor of your system but below the point where you get distortion.

 

[Vicioushead]

Right, thank you for the replies.

 

[drew_drummer]

One of the things I like to do is to play a note at the 12th fret on each string, and find the fundamental frequency and notch it out ever so slightly; this helps prevent notes from jumping out in the mix; as well as compression obviously. Mainly because with my bass I find those notes to be the most resonant.

 

[agentmetal]

Same for me ! I often get resonances around the 12th fret, especially on the biggest strings, so I end up cutting a couple of dBs at the corresponding fundamental frequencies. But it obviously depends on the source, so your mileage may vary ! Also, don't forget to use good cans if your room isn't well-balanced in the lows, which applies to most home studios...