Unexpected method of increasing bass response

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

I played in a joint with somewhat annoying walls acoustically speaking.
Corrugated galvanized sheet on the walls, ugh.
And the sound man decided that we'd try to minimize noise by not micing the amps, and have less instruments bouncing all over the place. The folks on the other end of the stage from me were worrying about being able to hear me, but I came up with a solution.
Instead of the closed-back cab facing me, I put it 18" from the corner, facing the corner. I got good dispersal, but I had to turn the bass DOWN. I expected the highs to propagate more, but I got bass boost. But I liked the effect it gave.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Bill A. Moore · From: Silver City, New Mexico, USA

Most of the clubs I've played in, the stage is small enough that the amps are close to the wall, and seem to get a "fuller" sound. But the times I've played in a larger venue with the amps in the middle of the stage, I would place the PA rack covers behind the amps, and increase the response that you described.

Clyde Mattocks · From: Kinston, North Carolina, USA

That's why corners are avoided in most studio control rooms. They are bass traps, but I never thought of utilizing a corner for an advantage. I'll have to try that.
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LeGrande II, Nash. 112, Fender Twin Tone Master, Session 400, Harlow Dobro, R.Q.Jones Dobro

Steve Collins · From: Alaska, USA

The corner is a good trick. Also, try mass coupling, which means setting something heavy on your amp. If you are on any sort of riser you can get a huge difference in bass response.

Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

I assume you're talking about a corner where 2 vertical planes meet. This is a well-known approach known as "corner loading". Certain frequencies reinforce, and it's possible to get significant increase in the out-front volume at those frequencies. Having the reflections coming from different directions can give various effects, from more dispersal to more focusing. The exact geometry and program content can have a significant effect. I find that small changes can sometimes affect things significantly.

Even changing the distance/orientation from a single wall (one vertical plane) can affect bass response significantly. Of course, amp angle, on-the-floor vs elevated, and lots of other factors can affect the sound significantly. The listener's location is also significant. Room acoustics can be quite complex.

If you're going for high fidelity and a nice even frequency response, this is generally avoided, as Clyde mentions. But to me, an instrument amp is, to some extent, a tone producer, not just a tone reproducer. If it sounds good, it is good.

George Kimery · From: Limestone, TN, USA

I have been meaning to do a post on playing out of a corner. Not the steel, but the whole band. So now is a good time to jump in.

When we go into a room that is built like a cave with echo's everywhere, we head to the corner if at all possible for the band to set up. This eliminates the back wall bouncing sound right straight back at you. All the sound from the band is hitting walls that are at an angle.

We have played several Ruritan Club buildings and they are all built pretty much the same way, acoustically speaking. A hard concrete floor, a dry wall ceiling, and concrete block walls. Just basically, a big cave. It helps the echo's a lot by sitting up the band in a corner.

Steve Collins · From: Alaska, USA

Willie Sims · From: PADUCAH, KY, USA

You could try the insulator for the amplifier that is made of a board the size of the bottom of the

amplifier with a thick piece of foam rubber. It will make a difference in the bass response some music stores sell them but they are really easy to make on your own. Willie SIMS

John Billings · From: Ohio, USA

It is said that when Robert Johnson made his famous Blues recordings, he faced into a corner of the hotel room.

Steve Allison · From: Eatonton,Ga. U.S.A.

I sat in the corner in school the whole four years I spent in the 5th grade!

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