User Manual

15
Bass Enhancement with MaxxBass
TM
MaxxBass™ generates harmonics that are selectively added to the signal.
These harmonics cause the ear to perceive low bass frequencies that may
not actually be present in the signal.
This psychoacoustic phenomenon, explained below in further detail, is
used in a mixing or mastering situation to enhance the bass response of
the target playback system. Even in a good mix, MaxxBass™ will create a
fatter, clearer and overall better bass presence.
The same MaxxBass™ generated enhancement principle is also applica
-
ble for installed systems such as commercial sound systems, theme parks,
outdoor distributed systems, personal stereo systems, and more. To see
more MaxxBass™ applications, visit www.maxxbass.com.
How does the MaxxBass
TM
work?
Even though you can hear a bass guitar from a small speaker, you are
not hearing the main note-the fundamental frequency. This is because
the speaker can not physically produce such a low pitch. However, the
harmonics of the bass guitar are indeed coming from the speaker, and
your ear interprets these harmonics and creates the “missing fundamen-
tal” in your mind. This is a well-known psychoacoustic principle. MaxxBass™
extends the perceived frequency response of a system up to two octaves
below its physical limitation.
What does MaxxBass
TM
do?
The input signal is split into two parts through an 18dB/Oct crossover; the
crossover Frequency (controlled by the Frequency knob) determines the
split point. High frequencies are transparently passed to the output (to be
added back to the bass). The bass signal is analyzed by the MaxxBass™
processor, which creates a specific series of harmonics of these low fre-
quencies. Since the dynamics and the loudness of the original bass are
duplicated in these harmonics, the result is the most natural sounding en-
hancement of the original bass.
The MaxxBass™ Harmonics signal is designed to basically replace the origi
-
nal low frequency signal with its high frequency harmonics. By switching the
HPF in and out you can decide whether to retain or remove the original low
frequencies.
When you target a specific speaker system with a known low cutoff, switch
-
ing the HPF in can help removing excessive load from the speakers without
degrading their performance. This is useful when mixing for a specific set
of speakers or systems, such as those in commercial installations, theme
parks, kiosks, etc. This is also useful if you want to eliminate or reduce low
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