Can the "softness" of the subbass be tuned?

[cubiejeff]

Question might sounds stupid to others but hope someone will clear my doubts.

 

Can the "softness" of the subbass be tuned? Double 18" 1000w.

It sounds too hash when playing soothing music. We used it for gigs. Do we need to add something (effects unit) for the kick drum?

 

or it just like that when manufactured. Some brands are harder some brands sound softer?

or any processors like Peavey Kosmos® V2 Generator-Processor can tuned, or EQ?

or is there such thing by adding reverb to the sub bass?

or there is totally nothing I can do about it.

 

Thanks.

[Bobbsy]

Yes, you can certainly change the sound of your subs by a number of different means. Something a simple as changing the location can make a big difference if they're presently sitting on or near a reverberant surface. Beyond that, you've already mentioned EQ and a form of processing, both of which can make a difference.

 

However, the first thing I'd ask is what you're using for a crossover or LMS just now, and what settings do you have on this?

 

Bob

[mal421]

What frequency do you crossover at ? Personally I would be crossing over at about 100Hz for 18"s maybe a little lower depending upon the venue . Also the toublesome frequency that is causing the hardness maybe in the low mid range perhaps in the 150Hz to 250Hz range .

 

 

 

Another 2p for the pot .

[Rich]

What kind of cabinet is it? Specs would be great.

 

Some of the mellow sound that you talk about can often be due to group delay and the driver's ability to control cone movement. For instance a 6th order bandpass will sound more mellow than a front loaded horn.

 

These effects (to my limited knowledge) cannot be reproduced, but you can play with the eq, and you might find that removing some of the upper bass will give you a softer sound. Be careful with large boosts lower down the spectrum as you might end up doing damage to the drivers.

 

Rich

[david.elsbury]

Have you considered looking at your mic choice and perhaps changing the Kick drum mic?

[paulears]

Soothing music? A double 18" is great for shifting huge amounts of air when the kick thuds, but what kind of source material are we talking - any example of 'soothing'. It just could be that there is a large amount of very low material, and the big subs are just too good, low down. My 15" small subs are great for warmth, but rubbish for kick and low bass - while the bigger 18" ones just have guts the small ones don't have. The cabs are tuned during design - and eq and other tips can help tame them, but what they actually produce is fixed.

 

Talking about sound is soo difficult!

[johndenim]

Would it be too difficult to turn down the the volume of the drum kit?

 

I'm not being sarcastic, you may have to do the sound yourself from the stage!

Failing that what about a compressor in standby when you don't need the drums to be quiet, and on when you do?

 

Do you have a problem with the drums only or is it the whole mix?

If you use an EQ with a bypass button, you could always set the "softer sound" on the subs before EQ, and activate the EQ unit when desired.

 

John Denim.