Where to set EQ?

[floatingaxe]

I'm posting this in "Amps" and "Effects" because it touches on both subjects.

I have an active bass with a 3-band EQ, a multipedal with a 3-band EQ and a mid sweep, and a GK amp with Treble/High-Mid/Low-Mid/Bass and Contour.

Which EQ should I use more? I currently leave the bass and pedal flat, but it seems like I have to dial in a lot of high-mid and take out a lot of low-mid and bass to get that "cut through the mix" tone. I know that GK has designed their EQ to sound great specifically for bass, but still boosting any EQ channel to 3-o'clock seems unwise.

Any ideas?

[tdub0199]

start by setting everything flat on your amp and bass, then I would eq the amp 1st and use your bass to tweak... i personally can't stand mult effect processors so i wouldn't use the eq on it... also what kind of music do you play? for most metal bands i think boosting the mids helps you cut through better or atleast thats what i do...

[RickenBoogie]

+1 start flat, work from there, in small increments. If I don't like the sound of an amp set totally flat, then I don't like that amp. But with all the possible eq'ing you've got, start flat and expiriment with one device at a time. They'll all have different tonal qualities, and you may not like them all.

[floatingaxe]

Originally Posted by tdub0199

start by setting everything flat on your amp and bass, then I would eq the amp 1st and use your bass to tweak... i personally can't stand mult effect processors so i wouldn't use the eq on it... also what kind of music do you play? for most metal bands i think boosting the mids helps you cut through better or atleast thats what i do...

I play in a church band so the songs are influenced by many genres. Rock, Funk, Pop.
I do boost the mids, but the question is should i be using the amp primarily to boost the mids or take advantage of the eq on the bass?
I know a lot of this is subjective, but I'm asking for a general guideline.
The amp eq system is probably the most advanced, with the bass a close second. ($500 amp, $800 bass)

[floatingaxe]

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

+1 start flat, work from there, in small increments. If I don't like the sound of an amp set totally flat, then I don't like that amp. But with all the possible eq'ing you've got, start flat and expiriment with one device at a time. They'll all have different tonal qualities, and you may not like them all.

Actually I love the sound of the amp flat, but it's not mid-present enough to cut through the full band. So I've currently got the high-mids at 2ish, the low-mids at 10ish, and the bass (60 hz) at 9. Seems a bit severe.

[wcriley]

I adjust the EQ at my amp to suit the room and the cab I'm using before I start playing. (Usually nearly flat.)
Then I use the EQ in my bass to tweak the sound for particular songs or as my ears get tired toward the end of the night.