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{{Short description|Frequency range}}
{{for|the organ stop (also called '''Soubasse''')|Bourdon (organ pipe)}}
{{about|frequency range|the organ stop (also called "Soubasse")|Bourdon (organ pipe)|the type of singer|Oktavist|the object in mathematical topology|Subbase}}
] player ] playing a show in New York City in 1947. The double bass is the sub-bass instrument of the orchestral strings family, as it produces the pitches in the lowest register for this family.]]
'''Sub-bass''' sounds are the deep, low-register pitches below approximately 70&nbsp;]<ref name="defn-tone">{{cite book
|title=The Relentless Pursuit of Tone: Timbre in Popular Music
|editor-last1= Latour |editor-first1= Melinda |editor-last2=Fink |editor-first2=Robert |editor-last3=Wallmark |editor-first3=Zachary
|isbn=978-0199985258 |publisher= Oxford University Press |date=2018
|chapter=Below 100 Hz: Toward a Musicology of Bass Culture
|last=Fink |first=Robert |pages=92–93
|quote=Many sound engineers start talking about "sub-bass" around 70 Hz, ; at the bottom of the sub-bass register, around 30 Hz
}}</ref> (C{{music|#}}<sub>2</sub> in ]) and extending downward to include the lowest frequency humans can hear, approximately 20&nbsp;Hz (E<sub>0</sub>).


In this range, human hearing is less sensitive, so these notes tend to be felt more than heard.<ref>{{cite web|title=Interactive Frequency Chart|url=http://www.independentrecording.net/irn/resources/freqchart/main_display.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130324005053/http://www.independentrecording.net/irn/resources/freqchart/main_display.htm|archive-date=24 March 2013|access-date=March 9, 2012|publisher=Independent Recording Network}}</ref> The low E-string on a ] is usually tuned to 41.2&nbsp;Hz, while the lowest note on a standard ] is A at 27.5&nbsp;Hz. ]s and ]s often use one or more ] loudspeakers to amplify sounds in the sub-bass range. Sounds below sub-bass are ].
'''Sub-bass''' is a term used to describe audible sounds below 90&nbsp;] and extending downward to include the lowest frequency humans can hear, typically 20&nbsp;Hz. Sound systems often feature one or more ] loudspeakers that are dedicated solely to amplifying sounds in the sub-bass range. Sound below sub-bass is called ].

'''Sub-bass''' can also refer to a ] that has greater than normal low frequency capabilities, such as heavier strings with lower tuning.<ref name=CarDiPMan> Album recorded in February 2005. Accessed on May 25, 2009.</ref>


==Hearing and usage== ==Hearing and usage==
20&nbsp;Hz is considered the normal low frequency limit of human hearing. When pure sine waves are reproduced under ideal conditions and at very high volume, a human listener will be able to identify tones as low as 12&nbsp;Hz.<ref>{{cite book |title=Music, Physics and Engineering |last=Olson |first=Harry F. |authorlink=Harry F. Olson |year= 1967|publisher=Dover Publications |isbn=0486217698 |page=249 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=RUDTFBbb7jAC }}</ref> 20&nbsp;Hz is considered the normal low-frequency limit of human hearing. When pure sine waves are reproduced under ideal conditions and at very high ]s, a human listener will be able to identify tones as low as 12&nbsp;Hz (G<sub>–1</sub>).<ref>{{cite book |title=Music, Physics and Engineering |last=Olson |first=Harry F. |author-link=Harry F. Olson |year= 1967|publisher=Dover Publications |isbn=0-486-21769-8 |page= |url=https://archive.org/details/musicphysicsengi0000olso |url-access=registration }}</ref> Audio tracks known as bass tests use sub-bass frequencies which are used to test or to demonstrate the capabilities of audio equipment. High-end subwoofers can accurately reproduce sound to about 18&nbsp;Hz ±2&nbsp;dB.<ref>{{cite web|title=VTF-15H Subwoofer|url=http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-15h.html|publisher=Hsu Research|access-date=March 9, 2012}}</ref>{{what|date=May 2021}}

Audio tracks known as ]s use sub-bass frequencies which are used to test or to demonstrate the capabilities of audio equipment. Very few subwoofers can reproduce sound below 30&nbsp;Hz.

⚫ Sub-bass energy is popular in ] and ], where the low frequencies involve energy from the ], the ] and electronic ]s. Other genres such as ] often feature the whole bass-line reproduced in sub-bass frequencies, perhaps with sub-bass guitar rather than bass guitar. Much ] uses sub-bass, in particular ], where the majority of the sound can often be in the sub-bass range. ] bands such as ], ], ] and ] have used sub-bass drops in their songs.{{Fact|date=April 2009}}


⚫ Sub-bass is popular in ], where the low frequencies are produced by the ] (bass drum), the ] and electronic ]s and ]s. Particular genres such as ], ] and ] often feature a ] that consists mainly of sub-bass frequencies. Much ] uses sub-bass, in particular ], where the majority of the sound can often be in the sub-bass range. Often, ] and rap songs feature prevalent sub-bass. The ] range on ]s also often extends into the sub-bass range; the bottom note of a 16′ stop is typically tuned to 32 Hz (C<sub>1</sub>), a 32′ stop at 16 Hz (C<sub>0</sub>).
==Other uses==
In ] groups or ] ] groups, "sub-bass" is an informal term for ], a specialized ]. These singers often sing below the ] and sometimes employ ] to achieve even lower sounds.{{Fact|date=April 2009}}


==References== ==References==
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{{music-stub}} {{music-stub}}
{{Bass (sound)}}
⚫ ]
{{Range (music)}}
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] ]
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Latest revision as of 18:42, 3 August 2024

Frequency range This article is about frequency range. For the organ stop (also called "Soubasse"), see Bourdon (organ pipe). For the type of singer, see Oktavist. For the object in mathematical topology, see Subbase.
Double bass player Vivien Garry playing a show in New York City in 1947. The double bass is the sub-bass instrument of the orchestral strings family, as it produces the pitches in the lowest register for this family.

Sub-bass sounds are the deep, low-register pitches below approximately 70 Hz (C♯2 in scientific pitch notation) and extending downward to include the lowest frequency humans can hear, approximately 20 Hz (E0).

In this range, human hearing is less sensitive, so these notes tend to be felt more than heard. The low E-string on a bass guitar is usually tuned to 41.2 Hz, while the lowest note on a standard piano is A at 27.5 Hz. Sound reinforcement systems and PA systems often use one or more subwoofer loudspeakers to amplify sounds in the sub-bass range. Sounds below sub-bass are infrasound.

Hearing and usage

20 Hz is considered the normal low-frequency limit of human hearing. When pure sine waves are reproduced under ideal conditions and at very high decibels, a human listener will be able to identify tones as low as 12 Hz (G–1). Audio tracks known as bass tests use sub-bass frequencies which are used to test or to demonstrate the capabilities of audio equipment. High-end subwoofers can accurately reproduce sound to about 18 Hz ±2 dB.

Sub-bass is popular in dance music, where the low frequencies are produced by the kick drum (bass drum), the bass guitar and electronic synthesizers and drum machines. Particular genres such as house music, drum and bass and dubstep often feature a bassline that consists mainly of sub-bass frequencies. Much experimental music uses sub-bass, in particular drone music, where the majority of the sound can often be in the sub-bass range. Often, hip hop and rap songs feature prevalent sub-bass. The pedal keyboard range on pipe organs also often extends into the sub-bass range; the bottom note of a 16′ stop is typically tuned to 32 Hz (C1), a 32′ stop at 16 Hz (C0).

References

  1. Fink, Robert (2018). "Below 100 Hz: Toward a Musicology of Bass Culture". In Latour, Melinda; Fink, Robert; Wallmark, Zachary (eds.). The Relentless Pursuit of Tone: Timbre in Popular Music. Oxford University Press. pp. 92–93. ISBN 978-0199985258. Many sound engineers start talking about "sub-bass" around 70 Hz, ; at the bottom of the sub-bass register, around 30 Hz
  2. "Interactive Frequency Chart". Independent Recording Network. Archived from the original on 24 March 2013. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
  3. Olson, Harry F. (1967). Music, Physics and Engineering. Dover Publications. p. 249. ISBN 0-486-21769-8.
  4. "VTF-15H Subwoofer". Hsu Research. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
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Bass (sound)
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