I do love my bx digital from brainworx but I have just one question ... Although I increase by a 12db (let's say one freqency), that does not sound like a+12 dB to me (man, 12 db is a big increase !). I mean that freq should be louder (I tried several Q to emphasize but it is still subtile). Am I missing something ? this plugin is 100% neutral and easy to dial but I have not found the answer of the phenomenon ?.... any idea ?
Jo
BX digital : "small" 12 db ????
I'm not an expert ind sound engineering, but I have some knowledge about how the human ear works.
The dB is used in acustics to measure the "pressure" of the sound over a "reference surface". So from a mathematical point of view, 12 dB of a low frequency is the same as 12 dB of a mid or high frequency (feel free to shoot me if I'm telling nonsense here).
The human ear doesn't work exactly like that. It has a frequency range to which it's responsive, but it's not responsive the same way to different frequencies. It's more sensitive to mid and mid high frequencies than to those in the extremes (the normal frequency range of the human voice).
The difference rate between the perceived intensities also changes with the overall "volume" of what we are listening.
Put it this way.. At the same power level, a bass amp outputs more dBs than a guitar one, yet the guitar amp sounds louder to us.
Another example, some audio systems have a "loudness" switch. This switch emphazyses the low and high frequencies, and lowers the middle ones when listening at low volume, so that the listening experience is more enjoyeable.
I presume this is also the principle behind PsyQ.
Raul
The dB is used in acustics to measure the "pressure" of the sound over a "reference surface". So from a mathematical point of view, 12 dB of a low frequency is the same as 12 dB of a mid or high frequency (feel free to shoot me if I'm telling nonsense here).
The human ear doesn't work exactly like that. It has a frequency range to which it's responsive, but it's not responsive the same way to different frequencies. It's more sensitive to mid and mid high frequencies than to those in the extremes (the normal frequency range of the human voice).
So a pressure on the tympan of 12 dBs at a 50 Hz frequency will be perceived by us with a lower level of intensity than the same pressure at 1 KHz.that does not sound like a+12 dB to me. I mean that freq should be louder
The difference rate between the perceived intensities also changes with the overall "volume" of what we are listening.
Put it this way.. At the same power level, a bass amp outputs more dBs than a guitar one, yet the guitar amp sounds louder to us.
Another example, some audio systems have a "loudness" switch. This switch emphazyses the low and high frequencies, and lowers the middle ones when listening at low volume, so that the listening experience is more enjoyeable.
I presume this is also the principle behind PsyQ.
Raul
thank you Raul,
actually as we often do I was seeking for a certain freq and as usual as put the max level (+12 db) and scan all the frequencies. I realized that, compared to all my other EQs, that of BX Digital does not increase "enough" hwatever is the frequency. I usually ask subtleness for mastering but here I was just trying to localize a boring frequency...
Why does the +12 dB of the bx sound "shy" or "small" while a +12 db on other EQs really increase the so called frequency. Here is my question ....
Thanks,
Jo
actually as we often do I was seeking for a certain freq and as usual as put the max level (+12 db) and scan all the frequencies. I realized that, compared to all my other EQs, that of BX Digital does not increase "enough" hwatever is the frequency. I usually ask subtleness for mastering but here I was just trying to localize a boring frequency...
Why does the +12 dB of the bx sound "shy" or "small" while a +12 db on other EQs really increase the so called frequency. Here is my question ....
Thanks,
Jo
Probably because of different EQ curve or filter type.
For example if you boost 5db 12khz on SSL type G eq you wont get exact 5db boost on 12 khz., no not at all. You will get some boost at 11,4khz or so and it wont be 5 it will be 4,3 or so.
Q width is also important in this of course.
PEQ4 is what you see is what you get type EQ. Stristly digital. so that can confuse you. I dont have BX stuff but that EQ is created to behave like outboard eq or something. Just speculation. Probably true.
You do not expect that every eq does have same behavior. That way you could clone Pultec with PEQ 4 for example or any EQ with PEQ4. So each one does have its own favor and each is for something different (ie pultec is great on bass freq)
For example if you boost 5db 12khz on SSL type G eq you wont get exact 5db boost on 12 khz., no not at all. You will get some boost at 11,4khz or so and it wont be 5 it will be 4,3 or so.
Q width is also important in this of course.
PEQ4 is what you see is what you get type EQ. Stristly digital. so that can confuse you. I dont have BX stuff but that EQ is created to behave like outboard eq or something. Just speculation. Probably true.
You do not expect that every eq does have same behavior. That way you could clone Pultec with PEQ 4 for example or any EQ with PEQ4. So each one does have its own favor and each is for something different (ie pultec is great on bass freq)
dunno the BX either, but if there is a difference it might be related to a thing known as filter ringing.bill3107 wrote:...Why does the +12 dB of the bx sound "shy" or "small" while a +12 db on other EQs really increase the so called frequency. Here is my question ....
Depending on design some filters emphasize a frequency immediately 'preceding' the dialed frequency, which sounds rather nasty.
The effect increases with steeper curve, i.e. high Q settings.
Probably the BX uses a filter design with a much more natural 'response' which lacks the ringing artifact - it's just a guess, tho.
On the other hand I wouldn't trust PEQ4 too much anyway - it can easily distort internally without clip indication.
cheers, Tom