Low-cut filter, where?

Eric Desrochers · External Since: Jun 16, 2007 Posts: 5

Hello!

I'm curious as to where people are using a low-cut filter if one is
needed : On the mic, on the mixer or in post/mixing, and why?

It would seem post/mixing might have better granularity on the settings
of the frequency and slope, as well as better monitoring.

Thanks!

--
Eric (Dero) Desrochers
http://homepage.mac.com/dero72

" Hiroshima 45, Tchernobyl 86, Windows 95 "

Richard Crowley · External Since: Sep 22, 2006 Posts: 102

"Eric Desrochers" wrote ...
> I'm curious as to where people are using a low-cut filter if one is
> needed : On the mic, on the mixer or in post/mixing, and why?

Seems like a no-brainer when you have LF noise that hasn't been
mitigated by other means (windjammer, etc.). Or loud industrial LF
ambient sounds that have nothing to do with wind, etc.

Filtering before the recording step would preserve more dynamic
range by not wasting it recording LF noise.

Derek Hanson · External Since: Mar 10, 2009 Posts: 5

I agree with Richard completely.. S/N ratio is precious, as is
recording bits, no reason to compromise either for a little extra
bottom end. I find there are very few voices out there that are
significantly effected by a 70-80Hz cut. Next time you're in a noisy
environment, be it wind, city, or industrial noise A/B the high-pass
and watch how much headroom you gain. My mixer is always set to 80Hz
cut by default.

Of course also consider the content to be recorded and the end
medium. But for voice I feel that the above applies strongly.

As far as where to cut, rule of thumb may be the earlier the better.
So attenuate at the mic if that's an option. But keep in mind that
the parameters of built in low-cuts on mics vary greatly by
manufacturer. It may roll off more than you bargained for.

Charles Tomaras · External Since: May 24, 2004 Posts: 1780

"Derek Hanson" <derek.dhanson.RemoveThis@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:d3e77d2d-b794-45b1-a5cf-6fc550cb5525@x37g2000yqj.googlegroups.com...
> I agree with Richard completely.. S/N ratio is precious, as is
> recording bits, no reason to compromise either for a little extra
> bottom end. I find there are very few voices out there that are
> significantly effected by a 70-80Hz cut. Next time you're in a noisy
> environment, be it wind, city, or industrial noise A/B the high-pass
> and watch how much headroom you gain. My mixer is always set to 80Hz
> cut by default.
>
> Of course also consider the content to be recorded and the end
> medium. But for voice I feel that the above applies strongly.
>
> As far as where to cut, rule of thumb may be the earlier the better.
> So attenuate at the mic if that's an option. But keep in mind that
> the parameters of built in low-cuts on mics vary greatly by
> manufacturer. It may roll off more than you bargained for.

One only has to listen to local news on a home theater setup with a properly
adjusted sub woofer to HEAR the effects of not rolling off the bottom and
having your audio pass though an editor whose speakers don't reproduce much
of anything below 100hz anyway. Better to roll it off in the field and not
assume that someone else is going to clean things up.

Soundhaspriority · External Since: Dec 06, 2006 Posts: 38

"Eric Desrochers" <dero72.DeleteThis@mac.com> wrote in message
news:1j6z3s5.1ptuqor1ww3lj4N%dero72@mac.com...
> Hello!
>
> I'm curious as to where people are using a low-cut filter if one is
> needed : On the mic, on the mixer or in post/mixing, and why?
>
> It would seem post/mixing might have better granularity on the settings
> of the frequency and slope, as well as better monitoring.
>
> Thanks!
>
At the mike, because it saves headroom at the mike internal amplifier.

Bob Morein
(310) 237-6511

philper · External Since: Feb 25, 2009 Posts: 14

I urge location sound people to roll off what they think they need to
to get the shot recorded (re wind, BG noise, boom handling noise)
and match their other mics if they are doing a live mix, and no more.
With male voice particularly it is easy to over do the roll off and
end up with thin sounding voices that are harder to make sound good in
post.

Philip Perkins

Larry Fisher · External Since: May 16, 2006 Posts: 352

All good points. Early roll off definitely will give you more headroom
in noisy environments. Keep in mind also that most all roll off
filters aren't brick wall filters and don't remove all the low
frequency information; it's just at a lower level. Post can always
roll it back up within limits if the voice is too thin. The noise will
come back up also but post can decide what they can stand. Keep in
mind also that this advice is from a person that has mainly watched
others do recording.
Best Regards,
Larry Fisher
Lectrosonics

On Sat, 3 Oct 2009 11:43:11 -0700 (PDT), philper <spamiser.TakeThisOut@yahoo.com>
wrote:

>I urge location sound people to roll off what they think they need to
>to get the shot recorded (re wind, BG noise, boom handling noise)
>and match their other mics if they are doing a live mix, and no more.
>With male voice particularly it is easy to over do the roll off and
>end up with thin sounding voices that are harder to make sound good in
>post.
>
>Philip Perkins

Eric Desrochers · External Since: Jun 16, 2007 Posts: 5

Larry Fisher <lectrosonics.DeleteThis@gmail.com> wrote:

> All good points. Early roll off definitely will give you more headroom
> in noisy environments. Keep in mind also that most all roll off
> filters aren't brick wall filters and don't remove all the low
> frequency information; it's just at a lower level. Post can always
> roll it back up within limits if the voice is too thin. The noise will
> come back up also but post can decide what they can stand. Keep in
> mind also that this advice is from a person that has mainly watched
> others do recording.
> Best Regards,
> Larry Fisher
> Lectrosonics
>
>
> On Sat, 3 Oct 2009 11:43:11 -0700 (PDT), philper <spamiser.DeleteThis@yahoo.com>
> wrote:
>
> >I urge location sound people to roll off what they think they need to
> >to get the shot recorded (re wind, BG noise, boom handling noise)
> >and match their other mics if they are doing a live mix, and no more.
> >With male voice particularly it is easy to over do the roll off and
> >end up with thin sounding voices that are harder to make sound good in
> >post.
> >
> >Philip Perkins

Thanks all! It makes sense!

--
Eric (Dero) Desrochers
http://homepage.mac.com/dero72

" Hiroshima 45, Tchernobyl 86, Windows 95 "

MWeber · External Since: Apr 18, 2007 Posts: 15

Nothing worse than having sub-sonic or LF trigger compressors or board
limiters. Most mixer EQ, ie, high-pass filters, are after limiting.