EQ...EQ...EQ

CTC564 · #1 10-26-2011, 01:15 PM

Hello TB....

Just curious for those in "the know"...I've recently learned the boosting eq makes an amp work harder which can eventually lead to amp damage/failure and/or speaker damage/failure...

So, if that's primarily correct...is there such a thing as "too much EQ"? For example...eq boosts and cuts on the preamp of an active bass...semi parametric eq on your amp AND a preamp pedal with a boost/cut feature

Is this just way too redundant and leading towards SOMETHING damaging SOMETHING?

Thanks to all

nobodysfool · #2 10-26-2011, 01:23 PM

I'm of the opinion that you should cut before boost. Boosting should be used sparingly, and with caution, because it can lead to overdriving and damage.

There are those in the "boost everything" crowd, but I look on such thinking as the Spinal Tap mentality. If the knob had an 11 on it, they'd have it set there.

My understanding comes from working in recording and sound reinforcement. I even took a course on recording, just to have some more understanding of how things work. It took me a while to get over my own "boost everything" mentality with my bass and gear. Set your amp flat, and set your bass flat, and then tweak sound from there. If something sounds too harsh or too much, cut it, rather than boosting the stuff around it to compensate. If you need more volume, turn up the master volume. Watch your gain stages. Each stage of the gain process should be higher than the preceding one, unless you really like distortion, in which case you should probably be a guitar player.....

Warrior_Bass · #3 10-26-2011, 01:24 PM

A ton of low end can cause your speaker to go beyond it's mechanical limit, making the "speaker fart" sound. This is very obvious and you would know to turn down your volume and/or power. Otherwise, no EQ is going to hurt anything.

GrowlerBox · #4 10-26-2011, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTC564

Hello TB....

Just curious for those in "the know"...I've recently learned the boosting eq makes an amp work harder which can eventually lead to amp damage/failure and/or speaker damage/failure...

So, if that's primarily correct...is there such a thing as "too much EQ"? For example...eq boosts and cuts on the preamp of an active bass...semi parametric eq on your amp AND a preamp pedal with a boost/cut feature

Is this just way too redundant and leading towards SOMETHING damaging SOMETHING?

Thanks to all

The reproduction of low frequencies requires greater speaker excursion and therefore increases the risk of distortion and damage. The "smiley-face" EQ pattern beloved of bedroom jammers cuts those frequencies to which we are most sensitive and boosts those to which we are less. We are then compelled to increase the overall volume to compensate, and thus the amplitude of the bass signal, etc. This doesn't matter so much at home practice volume levels for most amps, but it is helpful to think EQ then volume when you're in a live or loud rehearsal situation.

Other than that, the knobs are there to be twiddled. You risk damage to your amp less than you do confusion to your brain when you have multiple "levels" of EQ to control, as long as you're watching your volume.

Edit: Much pithier response given while I was typing!

Jim Carr · #5 10-26-2011, 01:27 PM

Cut is better than boost, and if your speakers are distorting, turn down. Now, stop worrying and go practice!

jonas_24112 · #6 10-26-2011, 01:31 PM

Just about every manual you will find on the subject will tell you that if you want to "boost" a frequency on an eq, you should lower the frequency on both sides of it.

bongomania · #7 10-26-2011, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTC564

...I've recently learned the boosting eq makes an amp work harder which can eventually lead to amp damage/failure and/or speaker damage/failure...

As far as "amp damage/failure" that is complete, 100%, no exceptions, total hogwash. As far as speakers, just listen for distortion, and turn down the volume or the bass boost if the speakers start distorting.

CTC564 · #8 10-26-2011, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

As far as "amp damage/failure" that is complete, 100%, no exceptions, total hogwash. As far as speakers, just listen for distortion, and turn down the volume or the bass boost if the speakers start distorting.

LOL @ HOGWASH...thanks Bongomania!!!

JimmyM · #9 10-26-2011, 02:02 PM

I used to believe that boosting was bad too, but then Roger Baer set me straight by saying, "If you're getting the sound that you want, what difference does it make where the knob is positioned?" After that, I never feared boosting again. I don't like to boost where frequencies get overcooked, but sometimes you have to boost to get the sound you want, so don't fear it.

rpsands · #10 10-26-2011, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I used to believe that boosting was bad too, but then Roger Baer set me straight by saying, "If you're getting the sound that you want, what difference does it make where the knob is positioned?" After that, I never feared boosting again. I don't like to boost where frequencies get overcooked, but sometimes you have to boost to get the sound you want, so don't fear it.

This exactly.

Cranking your low end can damage your speakers. use your ears to listen for speakers farting.

CTC564 · #11 10-26-2011, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I used to believe that boosting was bad too, but then Roger Baer set me straight by saying, "If you're getting the sound that you want, what difference does it make where the knob is positioned?" After that, I never feared boosting again. I don't like to boost where frequencies get overcooked, but sometimes you have to boost to get the sound you want, so don't fear it.

Thanks :-)

will33 · #12 10-26-2011, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I used to believe that boosting was bad too, but then Roger Baer set me straight by saying, "If you're getting the sound that you want, what difference does it make where the knob is positioned?" After that, I never feared boosting again. I don't like to boost where frequencies get overcooked, but sometimes you have to boost to get the sound you want, so don't fear it.

+1

Most bass amps don't have fully parametric eq's but in general a wide boost will sound musical and "right", a narrow Q when boosting will sound peaky or artificial. When cutting it works better the other way around, narrowly taking out a problem frequency without taking down the good sounding stuff on either side of it. The most obvious example of that would be surgically notching out the feedback frequency in your vocal monitors without scooping out so much sound it's hard to hear yourself.

Bass amps usually don't have that much tweakability so you just turn the knobs to where it sounds good and listen for signs of speaker stress, that's all.

BagelBruin · #13 10-26-2011, 02:20 PM

I try to set up my 9 band EQ so it will make shapes!

Find a sound you like? Bingo done! Don't over think it.

billfitzmaurice · #14 10-26-2011, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTC564

boosting eq makes an amp work harder which can eventually lead to amp damage/failure and/or speaker damage/failure...

Not so. The only thing you need to be aware of is that EQ isn't free, it does increase power draw from the amp and put more stress on the speakers. But that's no more a problem than it is to turn the volume control up. If the speakers complain, turn it down.

hdracer · #15 10-26-2011, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonas_24112

Just about every manual you will find on the subject will tell you that if you want to "boost" a frequency on an eq, you should lower the frequency on both sides of it.

Not mine.
Recommended settings for low & mids are all 8+ for most styles of music.

Not that I follow them.

georgestrings · #16 10-26-2011, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I used to believe that boosting was bad too, but then Roger Baer set me straight by saying, "If you're getting the sound that you want, what difference does it make where the knob is positioned?" After that, I never feared boosting again. I don't like to boost where frequencies get overcooked, but sometimes you have to boost to get the sound you want, so don't fear it.

Exactly - if boost was only bad, those knobs wouldn't be made to turn in that direction... As with all things, moderation and paying attention is the key...

- georgestrings

rad bassman · #17 10-26-2011, 04:51 PM

EQ is there to be used, for home practice my EQing is more extreme, but for loud performance level i find EQ tweaking less extreme, i like to boost lows, i like to cut a lil mid (not too much tho, this is where definition comes from), i leave my highs at centre normally, if a venue really sucks the bass end out of my sound i will boost it more, but then may pull back my pre gain slightly to compensate, use your ears, and enjoy it

superbassman2000 · #18 10-26-2011, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTC564

Hello TB....

Just curious for those in "the know"...I've recently learned the boosting eq makes an amp work harder which can eventually lead to amp damage/failure and/or speaker damage/failure...

So, if that's primarily correct...is there such a thing as "too much EQ"? For example...eq boosts and cuts on the preamp of an active bass...semi parametric eq on your amp AND a preamp pedal with a boost/cut feature

Is this just way too redundant and leading towards SOMETHING damaging SOMETHING?

Thanks to all

you can't have too much EQ. You can have too much volume in consideration to your speakers, but not EQ. JimmyM's post pretty much nails it

billfitzmaurice · #19 10-26-2011, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superbassman2000

you can't have too much EQ.

Yes, you can. 10dB of bass boost compared to flat has the same effect on driver excursion as does 500 watts compared to 50. Which doesn't mean you can't use 10dB of bass boost, but it has to be compensated for with a reduction in volume if the drivers are stressed.

JohnMCA72 · #20 10-26-2011, 08:45 PM

To whatever extent you boost a frequency band, it comes out of your headroom. If you get a transient or spike in that band, your rig may not be able to handle it without clipping.