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[ 8.29.2003 ]

 

Random ideas
no. 1, about the low frequencies

Okay, here's a two pennies for today so it wouldn't take me another minute to think what to write (as there's so much I could scribble a few words about). Squabbbladht-wobbledy!

The equipment in any bigger club is capable to repeat quite a bit the low frequencies, as the dance music has taken the intrusive sensuality of synth bass. Right! Let's think of bass terrorism.

The ultra low frequencies have a range of effects on human, you know? When you've been, like, a few hours to a place in which the air is curled to funny, long wavelengths constantly just below 60Hz, I think (correct me if I'm wrong), you start to feel a bit nauseous. No, not vomiting around. Pints will be left unfinished, and your burrito will go cold on plate - that kind of nauseous you are when you have been lying exhausted in your sofe for too long and can't even think of eating anything solid. Surely enough to ruin your night out if it's going to happen. I suppose that the louder the backround musick/noise is, the earlier the effect take hold. Unfortunately I'm not too sure if it works at all in the places not serving alcohol, and if you're already done with liquers, you'll end up vomiting around just the same, so there's probabily of failing to run the next test through with approvable results. Maybe it's just that the low end quickens the damage the alcohol does, I don't know for sure.

So, the test. Suppose you want to ruin a night of bar-goers... for a reason or another, and you happen to sit in the DJs' booth or stand right next to your bass amplifier. Boost the lowest frequencies enough so you feel it, instead of hearing it only. So that you're feeling it not because of sound pressure and volume, but because of the low frequencies. Do the set through, and remember: the low bass notes have physically, literally longer wavelengths than - for instance - the ones the guitar and vocals can be heard from. You should be safe enough if you're close to the speakers and right by their side. The wavelength will not be complete and heard properly before it's got a few meters away from your stack. Seven meters away and in front of them it usually feels worse than if you've packed to the moshpit right next to the stage.

If you're running the test with equipment good enough to produce the infamous "brown note" (big chance: it's 6 Hz, if I remember correctly, and this can still be nothing but an urban legend (not that I wouldn't wound up trying it out on the audience one day had I chance)) a range of different back-up plans will have to be worked out if you're not wearing diapers on regular bases. "Chaos and confusion - my work here is done."





You're telling me?

Mr EagleOwl [7:58 AM]