Is the 3 band EQ of the Genz Benz Shuttle limiting?

[Chrisk-K]

Granted, the mid eq is parametric. However, I wonder if it's a little bit limiting compared with an amp with 4 eq knobs. I hope not because I'm seriously thinking about ordering a Shuttle 3.0 or 6.0.

[thudfromafar]

2 mid knobs is always better. Sorry for the vague reply but it really depends how much EQ'ing you like to do, I guess...

[alexclaber]

Originally Posted by thudfromafar

2 mid knobs is always better.

Only if those knobs are at the frequencies you want to tweak. Personally I'd rather have one semi-parametric mid than two fixed mids, but horses for courses.

If you think tone comes from tweaking EQ you're generally barking up the wrong tree!

[KJung]

I actually did find the EQ limiting on the shuttle 6, but not really based on the number of EQ bands. The shuttle 6 has a low end voicing that can benefit from a bit of low mid boost. So, it is one of those heads IME that actually needs some EQ out of the box to sound 'good' to some of us (if used with a large cab versus the little Shuttle cabs). So, not much EQ control left to tweaking.

With the Shuttle 9, which sounds more full and fat out of the box, this is not an issue, and the nicely voiced bass control, combined with the semi-parametric mid control is fine for all but the most compulsive tweeker.

If you are using a very small cab, the 3 and 6 are fine. If you are considering a head to push a full size cab (212, 410, whatever), I would suggest going with either the Shuttle 9 or one of the Max heads if EQ power and features are a concern (the Max heads have two channels, each with two bands of semi-parametric EQ).

If you want to stay micro and want more EQ power, the Markbass F500 is fantastic... variable master voicing filters and two bands of semi-parametric EQ (like the Max heads), in a very small micro format with a good wallup of power (honestly rated at around 500 watts).

IMO... nice stuff. For the money, that Shuttle Max 6 is just a perfect box to driver a 212 or 410 to full volume at 4ohms. Great sounding box, a bit larger than 'micro', but very lightweight.

[craig.p]

I agree with Alex that whether or not a specific set of controls is right for you will depend on what frequencies you want to boost or cut. (At least that's what I think he's saying.)

The other consideration is how voiced the amp is at nominal flat. I can't answer that for GB since I've never played through one.

Another is what your cab(s) sound like. I've played through cabs that need two parametrics because their response curves would make anyone seasick. I've played through other cabs that need only a little goosing up (or down) in the bass because the rest of the range is fine.

I am a big believer in shelving bass controls with knee points in the 60 to 80 Hz range. These can get a lot of useful work done without roughening up the low end. And they anticipate many bass cabs' weak sub 100Hz performance. (The smaller-than-optimum ones anyway.) GK's bass control is shelving and typically knees at 60. The Shuttle 3's bass control is shelving and appears to knee at 80. This may or may not apply to you but I thought I'd mention it.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that there's a lot more to consider, apart from eq band count.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by craig.p

I agree with Alex that whether or not a specific set of controls is right for you will depend on what frequencies you want to boost or cut. (At least that's what I think he's saying.)

The other consideration is how voiced the amp is at nominal flat. I can't answer that for GB since I've never played through one.

Another is what your cab(s) sound like. I've played through cabs that need two parametrics because their response curves would make anyone seasick. I've played through other cabs that need only a little goosing up (or down) in the bass because the rest of the range is fine.

I am a big believer in shelving bass controls with knee points in the 60 to 80 Hz range. These can get a lot of useful work done without roughening up the low end. And they anticipate many bass cabs' weak sub 100Hz performance. (The smaller-than-optimum ones anyway.) GK's bass control is shelving and typically knees at 60. The Shuttle 3's bass control is shelving and appears to knee at 80. This may or may not apply to you but I thought I'd mention it.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that there's a lot more to consider, apart from eq band count.

+1 Also, even with a shelving bass control, it gets complicated, since it is more often about how deeply the shelving control boosts way down low versus the strart point of that boost. A start point at a relatively high frequency won't necessarily help a small cab if the 'shelf' boost goes down to 30hz!

I personally prefer a bass control that doesn't impact the upper bass (i.e., a 30hz or 40hz shelf point that won't mess with your upper bass when cutting), and then a low mid control that extends down to the upper bass region to add punch. However, IMO and personal preference there, since I am one who never really boosts low end with my rigs, but rather uses a shelving bass control to cut in large rooms.

+1 to your point though (similar to the one I was attempting to make in my previous post)... it is about more than the number of bands. If you have a head and cab that are voiced out of the box pretty closely to what you want to hear, you may virtually never need to touch a knob on 90% of your gigs