Handling sub bass with just 5" speakers

[ew1]

Hi

 

I am mixing on Adam F5s. They are 5" speakers and according to the Adam website they have a frequency response of 52 Hz - 50 kHz. Although they are able to output frequencies as low as 20Hz, just with very little volume.

 

If mixing with this setup, how should you handle the sub frequencies? For example, in one of my sessions, my frequency analyser says my kick is outputting over 10dB of every frequency from 20Hz up to 100Hz (see the attached image). Since my speakers only respond accurately down to 52 Hz, should I cut everything below 52 in the kick? Would doing so cause me to lose any important bass content?

 

Or is it the case that it's ok to have frequencies in your mix that your speakers can't accurately produce as long as you don't have large amounts of those frequencies in your mix? If this is the case, how much (in terms of volume) frequency content below 52Hz is it ok to include?

 

Also, I find it it hard to believe that my kick is actually putting out over 10dB on everything from 20Hz up to 100Hz. 10dB is quite loud as far as I know and if my kick was actually putting out all that volume at all those frequencies I think it would sound much louder than it does. Am I reading the analyser wrong? By the way, it's a stock Linn LM-1 kick with no added inserts.

 

Thanks for the help

 

[fisherking]

i mix (when at home) on focals (the cms40s). i finally added a sub (presonus temblar T8), and, adding it in even a very little, makes a profound difference. check out a basic sub perhaps...hearing that low end makes a huge difference (of course). also...compress/limit thoses kicks (and basses), and you'll get more of the density of the sound in your current monitors.

[3l3ctronic]

I used to mix bass-heavy electronic music on just a pair of Yamaha HS5 studio monitors (54Hz-30kHz). Just like you, I had a definitely sub-frequency (or lack thereof) issue. It wasn't cheap by any means, but I invested in a Yamaha HS8 Subwoofer ... one of the best purchases I've ever made.

 

You ask, "it's ok to have frequencies in your mix that your speakers can't accurately produce as long as you don't have large amounts of those frequencies in your mix?"

 

YMMV, but I don't think it's wise to have any frequencies that you can't monitor. That's why you/me/we spend some significant money and time putting together a specialty setup for music production!