Does anyone roll of the low end of a bass track?

[frist44]

I've noticed that I think sometimes my bass levels are kept down, so I started listening to some cds I like and realized the bass is usually much more present, but it seems louder without bringing that obnoxious sub bass thing into the song. I figured a small roll off in the 40 hz area might fix some of this.

Are people usually doing something similar? I know it has a lot to do with tracking, and that's what I'm going to try and focus on now.

Thanks,
Brandon

[peeceebee]

I do whatever it takes to sit in good with the track-

[Levi]

I think it's a "slight of hand" issue. Yes, I roll some off... even up to 70-75hz, which is a lot, but if it allows my kick to "kick," then you can boost bass around 105-120 to bring some low presence in to make up the difference. It should still thump pretty nicely. You can work with the overtones of the bass (there are plugins for this) to create the idea of more low end in your bass without it getting in the way.

[WEAPON_X]

i do massive hfp cuts in the region of 30 - 60 hz (depending on the key of the song), because mostly there is nothing of interesst down there, and it de-rumbles the whole mix. i cut the kick and floor toms down there, too.
the more/ harder cuts, the punchier the mix and more controllable the bass section becomes.

[username]

yeah.. on almost all rock stuff I end up rolling of from about 60 (this varies alot though)..

It's strage.. some engineers think your insane when you sujest that.. and other engineers seem to do it routinely

[TornadoTed]

I tend to roll off the low frequencies on the bass on most sessions, between 40-70 Hz generally and boost higher up 100 Hz+ to bring back the power. I've noticed a lot of the young bassists I've had in the studio doing heavy stuff don't like deep bass but a more aggressive mid range sort of sound, it certainly helps the kick thump through as well.

[True North]

In a word yes - sometimes. Depends on the style of the tune. I just mixing a cover bands material for a corporate gig package they were putting together.

One of the songs was Long Train Running (Doobie Brothers) - lots of crisp clean guitars and vocals. Lots of room on the low end and the bass line is a pretty important part of carrying the song. Can't remember how little I cut but it was not much. I thought the mix sounded pretty good .

They also did a version of All Small Things (Blink 182), which is pretty thick in terms of the sonic character of the song - not much frequency room anywhere. The bass line is more of a driving bass line - I had to roll off more bottom end to make room for the guitars and drums - I think the mix turned out well.

Long and short - there is no golden rule, bass roll off will vary according to the nature of the song you are mixing - but I almost always roll off some low end on Bass Guitar.

Cheers!

[Earwitness]

And... if you've got a good mastering guy, then all the sudden that lack of sub-bass harmonics that left when you did the cut seems to come back. Its like you have to leave the mastering guys room to do this and the hfp seems to do this. Im guessing its in the higher end gear they (mastering guys) are using and also maybe the multiband comression brings it back out as well. I also have noticed that if I keep the bass and kick under cotrol low freq wise then when the mastering guy does his thing, everything sounds warmer, vox, guit, whatever else is in there.
So yes carve that bass out to taste!
my2

[5down1up]

most probs with played bass tracks here is the BOOMINESS ~ 200hz range .
getting rid of the lows doesnt really bring the cure for more presence .
its a cool way to get rid of a smearing kinda sound .
well , you do what you like .