Is this an acoustics problem?

[Koova]

I don't know if this is an acoustics problem but I thought this was the best place to ask. When I play the kick on my 808 it lacks bass. When I pan it hard left or hard right the bass is there but when I bring it back to the centre it dissapears again. When I listen through headphones the bass is there.

I've checked the wiring of my monitors and they're not out of phase but I swapped the wires around as a test just in case and I could hear phasing so I switched the wires back. I have an old pair of Alesis monitor ones through an Alesis amp. The room is 3m x 5m and the monitors are positioned 10cm from the 3m wall but I can't move them away from the wall due to space restrictions in the room.

I can put traps in the corners of the wall on which the monitors are positioned but I can't put them on the facing wall due to book shelves and a door.

Any help would be appreciated

[xyrium]

I'd check the stereo image in addition to the wiring. Some speaker inputs or amp outputs can be wired out of phase at the factory. Play a few recordings with vocals and ensure that they are centered. If diffuse, I'd wire the setup in opposite polarity and test again.

If the wiring is correct, then it sounds like you may have standing waves inpacting your sound. I'd be careful about using broadband traps on the rear wall though, I don't see how they are any different than using an old slider EQ. You impact too many frequencies at once. In the corners, they are more apt to be useful though..

Do you have an SPL meter, or access to a mic and a room RTA like REW?

[Koova]

I'll try the cables again and also look into corner traps but I don't have access to an SPL meter or REW.

Thanks for the advice.

[Weasel9992]

Is that the case for ALL low end, or just that particular kick drum?

Frank