|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
For the Berklee Intro to Music Production Class I'm currently taking online, I chose one of the topics that I've known about, but never proved it to myself - Comb Filtering due to reflective surfaces nearby monitors and microphones. (You are reading this on one of those reflective surfaces right now - don't record vocals while sitting in front of your computer screen!) Here is the YouTube for it: http://youtu.be/0IV7YAoIGAgAnd I also exported the sound capture that I did while making the demonstration. It's at this soundcloud link: http://snd.sc/1d1zBKhYep, the physics do actually work! Whew! -Scott
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,455
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,455 |
Scott, thanx for sharing this as this is very important information for those of us with small home studios.
Love is grand.
Divorce is twenty grand!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
Scott, thanx for sharing this as this is very important information for those of us with small home studios. Really important for folks that want to put monitor speakers up against walls to the side of the monitors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,079
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,079 |
Thanks for that info Scott, the video didn't play for me, saying an error had occurred BUT your post got my brain into gear and I had a "duh" moment thanks to you  which then explained, in technical terms, why I had to re-arrange my "studio" having got a large computer monitor. Alyn
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,770
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,770 |
Most people run into this and don't really know what it is when they clone a track and nudge it a few milliseconds in an attempt to do doubling.
great post to get people thinking about this and to be aware of it is half the battle.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,455
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 24,455 |
Scott, thanx for sharing this as this is very important information for those of us with small home studios. Really important for folks that want to put monitor speakers up against walls to the side of the monitors. When I record vocals I turn off my monitors and use headphones. But I have a tendency to record in front of and facing my 23” monitor. I’m going to record myself both this way and off to the side, further away and not facing the monitor to see if there is a difference. Based on your experiment I’m sure there will be.
Love is grand.
Divorce is twenty grand!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,689
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,689 |
Scott, thanx for sharing this as this is very important information for those of us with small home studios. Really important for folks that want to put monitor speakers up against walls to the side of the monitors. Scott, To continue what we've discussed in PMs. I have my speakers about 18" behind my monitor and about 5' apart. As you know I was trying sitting in front of the monitor. I did not mention the the speakers are off during recording. Can I still get this effect from the mic alone? Don S.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,770
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,770 |
When I record anything with a mic, the mic is back from the monitor and I am facing away from the monitor..... the monitor is to my right side.
Comb filtering not only happens from the reflected surfaces..... and actually this is the less obvious form since the reflections are generally much much lower than the sound primary source.... depending greatly on the type of mic used and distance to the source and reflective surfaces.....
The more obvious comb filtering happens when tracks are cloned (exact copies) and recorded twice or more and layering is used. Many folks use the quick and dirty clone and nudge to try doubling. The danger here is that you have 2 or more very strong primary sources mixed together and the comb filter can be very obvious in this situation as the tracks and their material and frequencies interact with each other. You hear it when people do vocal doubling the wrong way.
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 08/21/13 08:02 AM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
Audio Monitors should always be off when you record. Always. Putting your mic in front of the computer monitor is a bad idea because sound will reflect off the monitor and show up at the mic just ever so slightly after the direct signal. Depending on the specific frequency dependent sensitivity of the mic, comb filtering is highly likely to occur.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
One other thing that has just dawned on me - the video capture I did is actually reversed. When you see the comb filter notches moving, they are moving in the opposite direction than what you might expect. I am very new at doing videos (using Windows Live Movie Maker and a web cam) and I'll have to see if somehow I clicked on something that made the web cam reverse image the video. If it's not easy to fix, I'm not fixing it!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
I went back to the screen capture program I used to grab the video and sure enough, there was a tick box 'flip horizontally' that was ticked when I fired up the software. Oops!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PowerTracks Pro 2026 for Windows is Here!
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Order now!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,965
Posts798,334
Members39,996
| |
Most Online44,367
24 minutes ago
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean