Any tips for controlling bass frequencies so as not to clip?

Svetlovska

I’m trying to shape a recorded wav track in Audio Evolution. It’s a low bass drone recorded with plenty of headroom, which I want to push into a thick, growly smooth sawtooth distortion at certain points over a period of a second or so - no massively sudden transients involved.

I can get the sound I want by boosting the bass range in Woot, but each time the sound is right, the frequencies involved cause the channel to clip hard into the red, although the overall volume remains quite low.

I have tried using Bass Leveler, and the limiter in Woot, but I must not be doing something right, as I can only avoid clipping by taking the volume way down. Maze Leveller stops the clipping, but sucks all the fatness out of the bass to do it. I’m doing this all by ear, and don’t really get how to use compressors properly, so an idiots guide to what I could try, preferably as off the shelf as possible, would be appreciated.

wim

@Svetlovska said:
I’m trying to shape a recorded wav track in Audio Evolution. It’s a low bass drone recorded with plenty of headroom, which I want to push into a thick, growly smooth sawtooth distortion at certain points over a period of a second or so - no massively sudden transients involved.

I can get the sound I want by boosting the bass range in Woot, but each time the sound is right, the frequencies involved cause the channel to clip hard into the red, although the overall volume remains quite low.

I have tried using Bass Leveler, and the limiter in Woot, but I must not be doing something right, as I can only avoid clipping by taking the volume way down. Maze Leveller stops the clipping, but sucks all the fatness out of the bass to do it. I’m doing this all by ear, and don’t really get how to use compressors properly, so an idiots guide to what I could try, preferably as off the shelf as possible, would be appreciated.

I would mute that track and then check with an analyzer which other channels are occupying those frequency ranges. Use EQ and and panning to get those other instruments out of the way if you can during the time when you want the bass to stand out. Sometimes just using panning is enough, but more often you actually need to cut the other sounds.

mrufino1

Add distortion in the low mid and higher frequencies rather than pushing the lows. Try the Nembrini psa1000 jr for this, it’s great. You may want to try it in parallel too, just watch your phase. I use it on desktop for so many things. Also, watch your sub bass region- cut stuff below 30hz or so to give more headroom.

Compression is probably not what you want in order to accomplish your goal- you are essentially pushing against the sound you’re trying to raise. A limiter set to a very high threshold, so it’s not really engaging, would be good for safety if you need it, but you probably won’t.

Svetlovska

@wim @mrufino1 : thanks both, I’ll try these.

jolico

Maze rider -> Bass Leveler

Both of them on default settings.

You’re welcome 😉