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Revision as of 22:00, 25 May 2009 by Binksternet (talk | contribs) (Rewrite to include both meanings)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) For the organ stop (also called Soubasse), see Bourdon (organ pipe).Sub-bass is a term used to describe audible sounds below 90 Hz and extending downward to include the lowest frequency humans can hear, typically 20 Hz. Sound systems often feature one or more subwoofer loudspeakers that are dedicated solely to amplifying sounds in the sub-bass range. Sound below sub-bass is called infrasound.
Sub-bass can also refer to a bass guitar that has greater than normal low frequency capabilities, such as heavier strings with lower tuning.
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 volume, a human listener will be able to identify tones as low as 12 Hz.
Audio tracks known as bass tests 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 Hz.
Sub-bass energy is popular in dance music and dub reggae, where the low frequencies involve energy from the kick drum, the bass guitar and electronic synthesizers. Other genres such as dubstep often feature the whole bass-line reproduced in sub-bass frequencies, perhaps with sub-bass guitar rather than bass guitar. Much experimental music uses sub-bass, in particular drone music, where the majority of the sound can often be in the sub-bass range. Heavy metal bands such as Cephalic Carnage, Avenged Sevenfold, Guns N' Roses and The Devil Wears Prada have used sub-bass drops in their songs.
Other uses
In southern gospel groups or a cappella contemporary Christian groups, "sub-bass" is an informal term for octavist, a specialized basso profondo. These singers often sing below the F clef and sometimes employ vocal fry to achieve even lower sounds.
References
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- Carbonne - Di Piazza - Manring. Album recorded in February 2005. Accessed on May 25, 2009.
- Olson, Harry F. (1967). Music, Physics and Engineering. Dover Publications. p. 249. ISBN 0486217698.