How did you guys learn how to EQ?

busta_bird · #1 01-19-2011, 05:16 PM

I realize this sounds lame. How does one learn how to properly EQ their sound? Is the best way to simply get an EQ pedal and shift frequencies and listen to the output? I've heard guys talk about "this should be under 60hz" and so on. I somewhat understand how instruments compete for sonic space but would like to actually see/hear this myself.

salcott · #2 01-19-2011, 05:17 PM

Turn the knobs, move the sliders, and listen.

M0ses · #3 01-19-2011, 05:17 PM

I just stopped EQing.

MatticusMania · #4 01-19-2011, 05:19 PM

I learned via trial and error. One day my tone was fine, the next, not so much. I could tell if it was the highs or lows bothering me, tried to adjust accordingly until I was happy with the tone. Then months or years later, no longer happy. Adjust accordingly, rinse, repeat.

Gawd · #5 01-19-2011, 05:21 PM

It's something that just takes time. I'm no where near a point of being able to point out exact frequencies. But if you just take the time to put your EQ flat, and go through each frequency to see what it changes, with time you will get a handle on it.

mozarwasagenius · #6 01-19-2011, 05:22 PM

I agree with what has been written so far

I will add that one thing this forum has taught me is the importance of mids and to eq in a mix NOT solo'd.

What sounds good solo'd on the bass usually means buried in the mix.

What sounds good in a mix with the bass usually sounds honky with mids solo'd

best of luck and good question

unclekebm · #7 01-19-2011, 05:24 PM

Start flat,
try to get "your tone" through your fingers and positioning

It's best to subtract frequencies than to add
an EQ with a Q adjust helps alot

try not to make major adjustments if possible

+1 to all the above suggestions

Thaos627 · #8 01-19-2011, 05:25 PM

what ever sound you what is how you should EQ. i have high bass then high low mid and no treble. what is ur EQ range is it a 3, 5 , or 7 band EQ? i can post different EQ's you can use if i know what your range is.

BigOldHarry · #9 01-19-2011, 05:25 PM

There's really no "learning" to it. What you want to do is fit in the mix. Now, what does THAT mean? It means that you are heard and felt, but you aren't overwhelming everyone or playing "over" the other musicians. By "Playing over" I mean sitting in the exact same tonal spot as the guitars/keys - which involves less about EQ than it does about where you play the notes you need.

A general tip about EQ: If you dig how you sound alone, it likely won't sound good in the mix; Big mids cut through in the mix MUCH better than a big, "scooped" bass. Try it at your next band get together -- EQ yourself flat then listen - - then scooped (boost bass & treb, cut mids) and listen - - LASTLY, boost your mids and play your lows/highs flat. THAT will tell you what sounds best in them mix, and THAT is the key to EQ.

BigOldHarry · #10 01-19-2011, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mozarwasagenius

I agree with what has been written so far

I will add that one thing this forum has taught me is the importance of mids and to eq in a mix NOT solo'd.

What sounds good solo'd on the bass usually means buried in the mix.

What sounds good in a mix with the bass usually sounds honky with mids solo'd

best of luck and good question

See??? SEE?!?!?

scotch · #11 01-19-2011, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by salcott

Turn the knobs, move the sliders, and listen.

+1, but major emphasis on LISTENING!!!!!

Honestly, it just takes time and experience to learn how to eq properly. You'll suck at it at first, but hopefully get better with time! Learning to eq in context of a mix is even more challenging!

A couple of tips that should help you get to great results quicker:
- Use subtractive eq. Noob manouver #1 is just boosting what you think you want to hear. Instead, learn to get 'better definition' (for example) by pulling out low mids and sub frequencies instead of just cranking the treble. Subtractive eq is what the pros do. Boost only when necessary.
- Apply eq in small increments. Small changes at the right frequency is generaly better than a massive boost or cut in a broad range. Learn to "hear small", then correct smart!
- Also, don't over-eq. If your' graphic looks like an ekg, you're probably over-doing it! This is probably noob mistake #2.

Vintage Guy · #12 01-19-2011, 05:38 PM

Also keep in mind the size of the venue that you will be playing at. The size of the room will dictate also where your amp needs to be set,to get that sound you want. I used the same rig and bass at two different gigs this past weekend. What sounded good to me at the first gig did not sound good at the second room that was larger. I had to re configure the rig and my bass to get my bass to cut through and sound good. I am from the old school of "Thump". I like the audience to feel the bass in their chest!

kreider204 · #13 01-19-2011, 05:42 PM

1. Trial and error.

2. Talkbass.

Art Araya · #14 01-19-2011, 05:44 PM

generally trial and error for most of my playing days.

but recently I've also learned some from others... i listened to some bass players whose sound i liked and asked how they EQed their sound. i also had a sound man come up and EQ my amp for me the way he liked it, and there were things I was able to learn from this too.

ggunn · #15 01-19-2011, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Art Araya

generally trial and error for most of my playing days.

but recently I've also learned some from others... i listened to some bass players whose sound i liked and asked how they EQed their sound. i also had a sound man come up and EQ my amp for me the way he liked it, and there were things I was able to learn from this too.

Waiting for someone to come in and start yelling about how no sound puke is gonna come within 10 feet of his amp...

HeadyVan Halen · #16 01-19-2011, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

I learned via trial and error. One day my tone was fine, the next, not so much. I could tell if it was the highs or lows bothering me, tried to adjust accordingly until I was happy with the tone. Then months or years later, no longer happy. Adjust accordingly, rinse, repeat.

The thread can end with this^..

Alot of factors:
New/old strings
Room acoustics
Weather
Unknown

Best advice given to me is identify what you don't like....lows-mids-highs, etc. change knob until you like it better

really ain't rocket surgery

TheVoiceless · #17 01-20-2011, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unclekebm

Start flat,
try to get "your tone" through your fingers and positioning

It's best to subtract frequencies than to add
an EQ with a Q adjust helps alot

try not to make major adjustments if possible

+1 to all the above suggestions

Yes to this,

To really understand EQ you must realize EQing is all about balance and give and take. For example you may need to roll the low bass off to get more treble. Instead of raising the treble.

My advice is to start a critical listening/ear training practice schedule. Take 30min to listen to music in a dark room, no TV , just focus on the music. And try and hear all the instruments and try and understand their natural tone. Focus on the bass. Then plug you bass in, close your eyes and listen. Move knobs, try crazy settings, then decide where the sweet spot is.

Hopes this is helpful. Good luck!!

plangentmusic · #18 01-20-2011, 08:16 AM

Some frequencies sound sweet., some sound harsh. You want to boost and lessen in accordance.

The thing is, the tendency is to take out too many of the harsher frequencies and those are the ones that "cut."

I find a slight boost around 3K (and the surrounding freqs) adds the "good" highs. But not too much -- otherwise you're just blending with the guitar.

800 is the lousiest sounding freq and needs to be cut, but again, NOT TOO MUCH -- just enough to smooth out the tone.

I USED to think 100hz was the fat bottom but it's actually the low mid woof that is undesirable. 80hz is the fat bottom.

I tend to roll off everything under 60hz, which is mostly hum and rumble. Without that, you can actually get the bass louder without covering the low end.

Try it. Hope it helps.

**Coolhandjjl** · #19 01-20-2011, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mozarwasagenius

...What sounds good solo'd on the bass usually means buried in the mix.

What sounds good in a mix with the bass usually sounds honky with mids solo'd...

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

...A general tip about EQ: If you dig how you sound alone, it likely won't sound good in the mix; Big mids cut through in the mix MUCH better than a big, "scooped" bass. ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by plangentmusic

... tend to roll off everything under 60hz, which is mostly hum and rumble. Without that, you can actually get the bass louder without covering the low end...

That pretty much sums it up.

Oh yeah, get a long cord and get out in front and listen to what the front row folks actually hear. It's quite different than what you hear next to your rig.

doctorpunch · #20 01-20-2011, 08:29 AM

What sucks is our practice space is a room inside a giant, uninsulated warehouse made of metal and brick with a concrete floor. I'll spend hours there tweaking my EQ every day.

Come gigtime, a nice wooden stage will make any settings sound good. One time I hit my front panel and completely screwed up the EQ settings, it looked like a mountain range without noticing until after the gig. In fact, I cut through really nice that night.

Anyways, it's all wrapped around "Your tone". From your playing style, to your bass, to any effects in front, to your amp, to your cabinet, to the room your playing in. I remember trying to search for suggestions on EQ settings for my SVT4 and realized "Hey, noone has my exact set up. Therefore, it probably won't work for ME"