I am looking for info on the lowest frequencies generated by acoustic instruments, for example, kettle drums, bass strings, etc. I want to consider the Outlaw LFM and compare it to Hsu's subs and SVS's subs. I know electronics can generate frequencies below normal human hearing, but i am most interested in those from musical instruments and the dB levels they can generate. Thanks!
TG

String bass can go to about 40Hz, and if it has a "C" extension, 32HZ. Timpani are not really that low at all, and bass drum is around 30Hz. Everything else except synthesizer is above this, at least as far as strong low frequency fundamentals go.

Just what I needed. Thanks alot!

According to Andrew Stiller's excellent book on orchestration the contra bassoom will descend nine semi-tones below the lowest note (G zero) of its fundamental scale. I believe that is the lowest note of any acoustic instrument. BTW, most synthesizers will easily play notes below the threshold of pitch differentiation. We "feel" those notes rather than hear them. BTW, the loud pedal points on the E. Power Biggs quadrophonic SONY sacd of Bach's Toccatas/Fugues will really test any sub.

Jay

Of course, that's contra bassoon!

If you don't have it already, get onto the list for the "Sub Demo CD". This is a pipe organ I recorded that has 32 foot ranks of pipes that produce a very strong fundamental of 16Hz, with beat frequencies below that. It was recorded with a specially designed microphone mixer that responds down to near DC, a modified DAT recorder that also goes almost down to DC, and three spaced omni directional microphones that also have very extended low frequency response. I guarantee that you will not find a commercially available disc that has bass this extended and strong.

The E. Power Biggs disc, as impressive as it is was recorded on analog tape, which depending on the tape speed would only have response down to 25Hz to 30Hz at the best.

This is one huge advantage of digital recording - it's unlimited low frequency response.

[This message has been edited by soundhound (edited January 27, 2004).]

Soundhound, how does one get on the list?

Thanks,
Jeff

Check out this thread . It's been going for a while now, so you may want to skim the first page or so and jump to the last page.

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gonk -- Saloon Links | Pre/Pro Comparison Chart | 950 Review

Can anyone tell me if the LFM-1 has a high-pass filter? I'm asking because of recent comments by Soundhound (1/28/04) on the "Outlaw to Outlaw/Rip it and pass it on" Forum thread in which he cautions of possible overload damage from his low-bass CD currently being circulated among fellow Outlaws.

Thanks