Are all graphic EQs created equal?

[Alex]

I was looking at graphic rackmount EQs lately, and I've seen a huge price difference between some EQs and other EQs with the same amount of bands. I always thought that EQs were just EQs and they just did their jobs, but the price descrepancies would seem to indicate otherwise.

Anybody know?

[Lowtonejoe]

Originally Posted by Alex

I was looking at graphic rackmount EQs lately, and I've seen a huge price difference between some EQs and other EQs with the same amount of bands. I always thought that EQs were just EQs and they just did their jobs, but the price descrepancies would seem to indicate otherwise.

Anybody know?

No, they are not.

Just like everything else, the higher the quality, the higher the price. Yes, there are exceptions but this is the general rule.

Things that are factors are like:
1. How quiet is it? Noise=Bad
2. What is the hardware quality? Missing knobs suck. So do broken jacks.
3. How accurate is it? Sure you get used to compensating, but why even go there?

And the list goes on.

Don't be afraid to spend money on a good eq if you really feel you need one. Or be ready to 'settle' for whatever performance a cheap piece of gear gives you.



Joe.

[superbassman2000]

very true joe, its just like saying whats the difference between a Behringer head and the ashdown head that they copied...they are the same amp right?
nah

[SundanceChile]

*sets up his soapbox. stands on top*

All graphic EQ's are equal but some graphic EQ's are more equal than others.

*gets off, picks up soapbox and walks off*

[Munjibunga]

Avoid Alesis and Behringer. The guys over at ProSoundWeb say they'd rather have no EQ than either one of those. Peavey actually makes some decent EQs. To be honest (just this once), dbx makes some affordable units that are of reasonable quality. I'd stay with a reputable name.

[keb]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Avoid Alesis and Behringer. The guys over at ProSoundWeb say they'd rather have no EQ than either one of those. Peavey actually makes some decent EQs. To be honest (just this once), dbx makes some affordable units that are of reasonable quality. I'd stay with a reputable name.

Yeah Alesis makes good keyboards and synths (I have one and I dig it) but I don't really care for their other equipment as much. One of their little mixers literally went up in smoke on me. (I opened it up later and a component had burned out, taking a chunk of the PCB with it.) I had my headphones plugged into it at that moment, and I'm glad I didn't have them on my head because during the smokeup I saw the level meters absolutely pegged and I heard a godawful loud shrieking noise coming from the phones. Luckily the phones survived the death throes of the mixer.

[morf]

This is kind of off topic but what do you think of Alesis compressors? I just recently got one and although I find it does what I want it to do, there are much more expensive ones. Is Alesis a brand to stay away from?

[Alex]

OK, well I'll take it a step further now. What do you guys think of the Peavey Q431? I've found one used for $65 shipped. Should I go for it?

[superbassman2000]

thats a fantastic price

[OrionManMatt]

Originally Posted by morf

This is kind of off topic but what do you think of Alesis compressors? I just recently got one and although I find it does what I want it to do, there are much more expensive ones. Is Alesis a brand to stay away from?

I think the consensus is to be careful with rackmounted gear from them.

Are we talking digital EQ or what? I'll second Munji with the dbx recommendation. I was pretty impressed with the features that are packed in there. If you can afford Rane you won't be disappointed.