Starting with UAD v11.5.0, all Apollo X models gain a new feature called Bass Management. This article answers the most frequently asked question on this topic.
What Is Bass Management?
Bass management with an Apollo X monitor unit lets you adjust crossover filters and filter slopes for bass content for your satellite or monitor speakers and your LFE channel. This allows for smaller studio monitors and satellite speakers in stereo and surround arrays to operate more accurately in their correct frequency ranges, while low frequency information below the crossover point is reproduced by a dedicated subwoofer.
Bass management in stereo monitor mode lets you add a subwoofer to your speaker system, define its low frequency content, and adjust all speakers simultaneously with UAD Console's level and mute controls.
Note: Bass Management is not applied to ALT monitors.
For more information about Bass Management and how to configure it, read this article.
What requirements are needed to use Bass Management?
This feature requires at least one Apollo X interface set up as a monitor unit, which include the following models:
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- Apollo Twin X DUO/QUAD (Gen 1 or Gen 2)
- Apollo x4 (Gen 1 or Gen 2)
- Apollo x6 (Gen 1 or Gen 2)
- Apollo x8 (Gen 1 or Gen 2)
- Apollo x8p (Gen 1 or Gen 2)
- Apollo x16 (Gen 1 or Gen 2)
- Apollo x16D
To use Bass Management, UAD Software v11.5.0 or higher is also required.
Can I use Apollo Solo or Arrow with Bass Management?
Because Apollo Solo and Arrow only have one pair of stereo outputs, only the interfaces listed above are compatible with the Bass Management feature.
What monitor modes are available with Bass Management?
The monitor modes listed below are accessible in the Bass Management menu:
- Default: Stereo (L, R)
- Surround: 2.1 (L, R, Sub)
- Surround: 5.1 (L, R, C, LFE, Ls, Rs)
- Surround: 6.1* (L, R, C, LFE, Ls, Rs, Cs)
- Surround: 7.1* (L, R, C, LFE, Lsr, Rsr, Lss, Rss)
- Surround: 5.1.4† (L, R, C, LFE, Ls, Rs, Ltf, Rtf)
- Surround: 7.1.4† (L, R, C, LFE, Lss, Rss, Lrs, Rrs, Ltf, Rtf)
- Surround: 9.1.6† (L, R, C, LFE, Lss, Rss, Lrs, Rrs, Ltf, Rtf)
*Apollo x8, x8p and x16 only
†Apollo x16 and x16D only
How can I use Bass Management with a stereo system and a sub connected?
It is possible to integrate a sub with a stereo system with Bass Management by using the following methods:
- Set up a dedicated output for your sub speaker: with the Stereo Monitor Mode, enabling bass management will dedicate an output of your interface for the subwoofer.
- Alternatively, the sub can also be daisy-chained in series with your stereo speakers.
Note: Connecting it in series with your stereo speaker means the Bass Management functionalities and crossover value will not be handled by the UAD Software.
What does the LFE +10 dB function do in Apollo Bass Management?
Surround monitoring including Dolby ATMOS requires that the LFE speaker be calibrated 10 dB SPL louder than the main speakers (as measured by a real-time analyzer, SPL meter measurement is 4 dB SPL louder than main speakers). This LFE boost, traditionally added at the subwoofer itself, can now be easily added with the +10 dB option for the LFE channel in Apollo Bass Management.
Audio directly sent to the LFE channel will be output 10 dB louder when this option is enabled. This control does not increase the gain of summed low frequencies from the satellite crossovers.
The historical practice of adding 10 dB to the LFE channel can be traced to mixing for 70mm film. The subwoofer recording level was lowered to prevent saturation of the magnetic track on the file, and subsequently increased on playback to compensate. The loss of signal-to-noise performance was inconspicuous because high frequencies are filtered out of the subwoofer signal. The +10 dB LFE mixing convention has been retained in the digital world, where it serves to give additional effective headroom for the playback of low frequency sound effects through the subwoofer loudspeaker, and for mix compatibility.
UA recommends this feature is enabled for surround and ATMOS mixing. When you profile your room with Apollo Monitor Correction, the Sonarworks Sound ID Reference Measure application will assist calibrating your sub to the correct volume.
Apollo Bass Management and Apollo Monitor Correction Interactions
You must set your Apollo Bass Management settings prior to measuring your calibration profile, as this information is passed through to the Sound ID Reference Measure application, and subsequently baked into the calibration profile.
What are SoundID Reference target modes and their settings?
Target modes taper and shape the room correction profile. You can choose from different target modes, listed below. To read more about target modes, click here.
Flat Target Mode
This mode will apply the calibration profile as measured, with a targeted flat response.
Dolby ATMOS Music (Matched)
In order to ensure that mixes translate well between Dolby Atmos equipped rooms, and to ensure consistency between multiple clients working on the same Dolby Atmos mixes, Dolby strongly recommends calibrating the sound systems to a specific equalization curve. As the curve was developed by working with major label partners, creatives, and studios globally, studios that meet the Best Practices for Music Room guidelines are expected to be calibrated based on the Dolby Atmos music curve in order to ensure that mixes translate to and from these reference environments.
If you are mixing in a room that is substantially larger or smaller than the recommended dimensions, then you may wish to apply a steeper or shallower roll-off than defined in the target curve, which you could accomplish with the ‘Custom Target’ control.
Custom Target
This mode enables you to apply a custom EQ to the profile.
Translation Check
This allows you to apply customized Sonarworks filter settings that emulate various speakers and listening environments.
Dry / Wet Control
This setting allows you to reduce the strength of the calibration profile EQ for the target correction.
Listening Spot Enabled
Listening Spot applies delays and output level adjustments to the different speaker outputs so that sound reaches the mixing spot from all speakers at the same time. It should tighten up the image.
Limit Controls
This allows you to bandpass the frequencies where room correction is applied. As an example, if your speakers do not reproduce audio below a certain frequency, you may not want room correction applied below that frequency. We recommend experimenting with these controls to see what works best in your space.