[Elecraft] more Bass in K3 with PR-40

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

> I believe the vocal range for standard bass voices starts at about 87
> Hz, "super" basses might get as low as 65 Hz (C2). Perhaps the key
> point is that intelligibility is concentrated around 1-2K Hz. Yes?

The lowest fundamental on record was 81 Hz IIRC ... most are closer
to ans slightly above 100 HZ - particularly when the test subject is
not making a conscious effort to breathe from the diaphragm/use a
"trained" voice.  From the very beginning of voice communications AT&T
determined that 300-2700 Hz was more than adequate for "communications
audio" - also known as "toll grade audio".

Intelligibility is most important in the 1200-2400 Hz range - there is
no energy in the human voice between roughly 800 and 1200 Hz.  That's
the reason I recommend +3dB at 1600 and +5dB at 2400 Hz (a 6dB/octave 
rising characteristic across the important spectrum).

73,

    ... Joe, W4TV



On 6/19/2012 1:06 PM, Rich wrote:
> I'm not disagreeing with the recommendations at all, but it seems that
> the rationale may be a bit off for some?  I believe the vocal range for
> standard bass voices starts at about 87 Hz, "super" basses might get as
> low as 65 Hz (C2).  Perhaps the key point is that intelligibility is
> concentrated around 1-2K Hz.  Yes?
>
> Interesting to listen to recordings of low bass notes with "standard"
> microphones and then with mics that are sensitive to 50 Hz, and then
> listen to background noise and A/C noise.
>
> Rich
> NU6T
>
>
> On 6/19/2012 8:54 AM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:
>>> I would start at zero across the board, lowering the low end and
>>> adjusting the mids and highs *slightly* upward until you get a good
>>> balance of decent lows and good presence on the mid to high end. With
>>> a little patience and a good ear, you'll get an excellent sounding
>>> signal out of the K3. Of course, you'll want to use the "TEST"
>>> feature or a dummy load and listen to yourself with the TX monitor.
>> Most quality microphones sound best with a roll off at 50 (-16) and
>> 100 (-6 to -9) and a slight peaking at 1600 (+3) and 2400 (+5) bands.
>> If the microphone has some built-in peaking (e.g. Heil HC4/HC5) there
>> is no need for the added peaking.
>>
>> The -200 Hz band can be increased slightly if your voice is "thin"
>> but that will not be necessary in most cases.  Except for a very few
>> "super bass" voices there is no energy below about 100 Hz and rolling
>> off those frequencies significantly reduces background noise/hum in
>> the audio.
>>
>> If a PR-40 or other "studio" dynamic microphone sounds "thin" work
>> closer to the mic to take advantage of the "presence" effect.  Most
>> studio mics are designed to be worked closely so they pick up only
>> intended sounds and reject sound from other instruments/vocalists
>> in the room.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>>       ... Joe, W4TV
>>
>>
>>
>> On 6/19/2012 10:45 AM, Scott Manthe wrote:
>>> I don't know where Bob gets those settings. I've got a Gold LIne and
>>> those setting will make it sound terrible.
>>>
>>> First of all, you probably don't need an external equalizer, because the
>>> K3 has an 8 band equalizer built in. The standard 2.7 kHz filter can be
>>> made to sound acceptably good, but you're not going to get ESSB quality,
>>> because of the bandwidth. You'd need the 6 kHz filter for that. I won't
>>> get into the "ESSB as good practice debate," other than to say that most
>>> "ESSB" guys I hear on the air sound ridiculous, and I was a professional
>>> broadcaster for years.
>>>
>>> I would start at zero across the board, lowering the low end and
>>> adjusting the mids and highs *slightly* upward until you get a good
>>> balance of decent lows and good presence on the mid to high end. With a
>>> little patience and a good ear, you'll get an excellent sounding signal
>>> out of the K3. Of course, you'll want to use the "TEST" feature or a
>>> dummy load and listen to yourself with the TX monitor.
>>>
>>> Good luck getting your audio the way you want it!
>>>
>>> 73,
>>> Scott, N9AA
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On 6/19/12 8:18 AM, ac8jd wrote:
>>>> I have had this K3 up on the air for a few days now.  I would be curious to
>>>> know how I can get more "lows" or "bass" out of the TX on SSB with my PR-40.
>>>> The audio reports I get from other stations are that I have a lot of "highs"
>>>> and they can't open up their filter to get enough bandwidth on my signal to
>>>> make it sound "lower".
>>>>
>>>> I have the TC equalizer set according to Heil's website for the Pr-40
>>>> http://www.heilsound.com/amateur/dspsettings/all_elecraft.php
>>>>
>>>> I just don't know how to achieve getting and lower levels to come out of the
>>>> rig.  I see in the manual to use the ESSB you have the 6khz filter.  Would
>>>> that help my situation?
>>>>
>>>> TNX,
>>>> AC8JD
>>>>
>>>>
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