EQ pedal for mids - Page 3

Flux Jetson · #41 10-24-2012, 12:57 PM

I gotta have a looky-listen of that EHX gizmo!

And on that 800hz stuff, +1. I'm toying with the idea of using a couple/few of the smaller MXR graphic EQ (M-109 six band). At $69 bucks you get the 800hz band addressed, 18db of cut/boost, and a small package. Two of them would cost $138 and provide two specific sounds available with a couple of footswitch stomps.

I need to get a look at the ARTEC Parametric EQ as well. It's only $50 bucks. The EWS BMC is super nice, but it's $130. So I owe it to myself to check out the ARTEC. One of those single band parametrics might be nice to zero in on one specific bandwidth that a graphic EQ might not have access to.

Flux Jetson · #42 10-24-2012, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dustinfennessey

Really simple pedal but the EHX Steel Leather is one of my always on pedals...only two knobs but REALLY helps with mids and cutting through the mix without sounding lame

Ok, I just listened to a few vids with this unit. It's an exciter, which I use "always on" myself.

I use the Aphex 204, which is a rack mounted 2 channel exciter with Aphex's "Big Bottom" circuitry added to both channels. The Big Bottom thing is a combination of EQ and compression. I can add a boatload of tuned low end, and my VU meters don't even budge upwards. It also has the same exciter circuit that the Aphex Bass Exciter stomp box has in it. But they've added "Harmonics" control to the exciter on the 204. So it's like have two Bass Exciters (that have added abilities) in a single rack device. I've had the 204 for around eight years, it works wonderfully! My 204 is the silver 1U rack device in this picture....

I had the Bass Exciter stompbox as well as the Acoustic Exciter stompbox. The difference between them is the range of freqs they address. Both worked EXCELLENTLY for adding cut and low end to the bass. But in the end, I sold them both and bought the 204 rack unit instead. It does everything both the stomp units do, PLUS a few added tricks. I actually think of the 204 as an integrated part of my modular bass rig. I put it at the very end of my signal chain, right in front of the amplifiers' inputs. My tone sounds ~dead~ without it.

So yea .... adding an exciter really works out well! I think the Aphex Bass Exciter offers a lot more than the EHX Steel Leather does (you can actually tune the top end, and it also has that super duper Big Bottom circuit). Dunno about the price difference though, my guess would be that the Aphex is more costly.

Flux Jetson · #43 10-24-2012, 07:10 PM

I was going to mention the BYOC Parametric EQ kit ( a DIY stompbox kit with three parametric bands). But I'd read about some hissing issues. I have zero experience with that particular kit though. For $120 plus your time it is a decent deal. Three bands, each band has frequency, cut/boost (roughly 12db+/-) and also Q for each band (how wide the area of adjustability is for each band).

It's an advanced level build though. But still ... if that noise issue claim is bogus this might be a worthy effort! (Y'never know .. the hiss may be due to lousy workmanship of the hobbyist that built the kit).

Downunderwonder · #44 10-24-2012, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crguti

can you play in a band with an Ashdown mini rig? it looks like a toy...

The one I played on had a paramteric controller on its mids and highs, just like the big ones. Pitiful power though. I would be upgrading that before spending money on FX.

Hey, OP already chose a EQ unit on pg2.

Flux Jetson · #45 10-24-2012, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downunderwonder

....Hey, OP already chose a EQ unit on pg2.

So does that mean the conversation has to end? I'm not sure I'm getting your meaning.

**mjac28** · #46 10-24-2012, 11:01 PM

I guess all the dip and chips are gone parties over

Flux Jetson · #47 10-24-2012, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjac28

I guess all the dip and chips are gone parties over

That figures, I am always ~that guy~ that has to be told when to leave.

Veldar · #48 10-25-2012, 12:01 AM

No you guys can stay but the foods cold and I've order the unit and am looking for a amp upgrade next

Flux Jetson · #49 10-25-2012, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Veldar

No you guys can stay but the foods cold and I've order the unit and am looking for a amp upgrade next

Ok, screw it. I'm hangin out. I'm ordering a pizza and camping out on the couch .. where's the remote?

Veldar you can crash if you want, I'll let myself out... anyone else can kick it here if they want .. the conversation probably isn't quite over just yet. 'Sides I just ordered a pizza and Black Dynamite is going to be on in a few minutes!

Veldar · #50 10-25-2012, 03:49 AM

Right i'm going to bed got work tommorow

BawanaRik · #51 10-27-2012, 05:39 PM

Brother it's your lucky day. I have an Eden WT500 that has it's own semi parmetric mid eq. This is what you need.

Flux Jetson · #52 10-27-2012, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BawanaRik

Brother it's your lucky day. I have an Eden WT500 that has it's own semi parmetric mid eq. This is what you need.

Well, while that's a very nice amp, it's hardly unique in the manner of having a semi-PEQ. There are loads of bass amps that have those ...

Ampeg SVT6 Pro.
Carvin BX1500.
Mesa M Pulse and Walk About.
Peaveys of various breeds.

On and on .....

Another source of different types of midrange focused EQs is the Line 6 M5, M9, and M13 series of multi FX units. There's at least a halfdozen different EQs in those things.

A trick I do that I've never spoken of is using a cocked wah to enhance the midrange in certain bands to add that ~growl~ ... it takes some trial and error to get it right, but it works great. There's a trick to it, you have to know how to do it properly to bring the lows in AND allow the parked wah to emphasize the bandwidth you're wanting to emphasize.

sunbeast · #53 10-28-2012, 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flux Jetson

A trick I do that I've never spoken of is using a cocked wah to enhance the midrange in certain bands to add that ~growl~ ... it takes some trial and error to get it right, but it works great. There's a trick to it, you have to know how to do it properly to bring the lows in AND allow the parked wah to emphasize the bandwidth you're wanting to emphasize.

This is exactly what got me started on the parametric EQ path personally- my old Morley Power Wah Boost sounded AMAZING with the wah and boost engaged if you parked it in just this slim little range. You got a high end boost from the Boost circuit coupled with the resonance from the wah in the mids- just this perfect clear grindy but full tone. I haven't ever played another wah that could do that tone on its own (as the boost played a big part in fattening the lows and extending the highs). I can kinda cop it now using my WMD Parametric EQ, but it takes all 3 EQ bands and alot of patience to really sculpt it right. The big plus is that the WMD is WAY smaller in size and weight, and doesn't require an absurdly huge amount of boost to do its thing the way the Morley did.

Flux Jetson · #54 10-28-2012, 11:58 AM

I'm already into gutting one of my wahs and building it's innards into a synth module blank panel to be put in that modular rig I use (see the pic in my avatar .. or hit the link in my sig for details). It just works too good!

I dig that same WMD you're speaking of (let me guess .. heavy boost from around the 800hz or so to 1100hz or so bandwidth zone, right?) but I have this wah on hand and I've modded it to provide boost and blend already. My foot is too stoopid to really use some wahs correctly so tearing this one apart to build it into a panel isn't a loss, it's actually a gain because I don't use that wah otherwise (again with the stoopit foot thing). This way at least it will get used!

Flux Jetson · #55 10-31-2012, 11:20 AM

I discovered another way of going about getting that ~scoop~ tone that the MXR M-80 does so well when the color button is engaged.

Graphic EQs like the MXR M-108 (that don't have 700 to 800hz bands but have a separate overall GAIN control) can be used for midrange control if set up right.

Lower the overall gain by about 8 to 10db or so. Now boost the lows and the low-mids (50 to around 200hz), and boost the upper-mids and highs (1khz and above) by roughly the same 8 to 10db that you removed with the overall gain control slider. Bang! Done! You've effectively created a midrange scoop by doing kinda the opposite. And since you've started out by lowering the overall signal gain to begin with, the signal to noise ratio is the same as using an EQ with the ~right~ midrange bandwidths and cutting them to create the scoop sound (slapper heaven).

So there you go .. this is a viable method to obtain the 700hz-800hz-ish or so mid scoop tone with a graphic EQ stompy that doesn't have those bandwidths. It just has to have an overall gain control (or, you have to use something in front of a graphic EQ that isn't equipped with an overall gain level control to lower the gain of the EQ .. either way will work).

This actually does work. I tried this very thing using my Line 6 M13. Now I know that I can use an MXR M-108 to create the scoop that I need sometimes. The M-108 has better low end bandwidths than the M-109 does. But the M-108 is missing a chunk of badwidth, it jumps from 500hz to 1khz, completely skipping over the crucial 700hz to 800hz area needed for scooping the right mids for slap tone. I need the low end sculpting that the M-108 offers, AND the midrange attention that the M-109 offers, but don't want to buy both. There are many graphic EQ stompers that ignore that crucial zone but have great low end bands. So this method is a way to get everything I want!

Using focused boost to create focused cut. Neato Kapeato, Gomers!

rasbass · #56 11-10-2012, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunbeast

+1- I used to own the Empress and now own the WMD. They are both fantastic sound sculpters, but the wider and continuous Q adjustment on the WMD makes it much more surgical and potentially versatile for me.

Anyone else have experience with both the Empress and the WMD? I too am looking at both as a possibility.

Thanks.

lsabina · #57 11-10-2012, 10:04 PM

Try a VFE Rocket EQ. It has a fully parametric mid and shelving low and high.
http://vfepedals.com/rocket-eq.html

Flux Jetson · #58 11-10-2012, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsabina

Try a VFE Rocket EQ. It has a fully parametric mid and shelving low and high.
http://vfepedals.com/rocket-eq.html

Hmmm .. that looks pretty good .. and at $150 it's very reasonable.

For $50 more the WMD has three full PEQ bands though. Hard choice! They both have much to offer.

Comes down to comparing noise levels I guess. Some EQs can be hissy little bettys!

I wish I had about two grand of disposable munay to be able to buy a dozen different ones. One may be good for mids, another may be best for low end sculpting, and so on.

One thing I just became aware of is the Bass POD XT (the first generation of Bass PODs that were equipped with the LCD displays) had a SIX BAND Semi-PEQ in them. With preset capability that might be worth looking at! I've found a few of them on Ebay for around $200.

sunbeast · #59 11-10-2012, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flux Jetson

Hmmm .. that looks pretty good .. and at $150 it's very reasonable.

For $50 more the WMD has three full PEQ bands though. Hard choice! They both have much to offer.

Comes down to comparing noise levels I guess. Some EQs can be hissy little bettys!

My WMD Para actually was quite hissy when paired with my very bright preamp (Rusty Box) and I emailed the builder about it. Apparently when they added the Master Volume control for the newer units (original units didn't have a volume control), the IC noise became an issue and a few units were sent out before they realized it. He had me send it back and upgrade it with a different chip that they now use and it is now super quiet even with highs boosted. And he did it all for free (including return shipping) even though I bought it used. I have also started using mine on 24 volts recently (just because I could with CIOKs power supply), and it is just massively powerful for such a tiny lil box!

Flux Jetson · #60 11-11-2012, 01:00 AM

Sounds like a company headed up by people with a conscience! Good for them!

There are few like that out there in the world.

I mean look at fast food companies. They couldn't care two bits about how FAT it makes people, as long as the munay-check keeps flowin' in. Capitalism has as many evils as any other type of society. Does anyone really think that the makers of mobile devices care that their use kills more people in car wrecks than drunk driving does? Shoot no! All they care about is that they're making money regardless of how their inventions affect others. (Business partner A) ... "Hey, people are dying using these things while driving." (Business partner B) .. "Yea? So what, that's THEIR problem, we're makin BANK off of them dumasses".

Ahem .. sorry. Sometimes the lack of discipline that capitalism encourages tends to get to me now and then.

On a brighter side, I'm glad to see a business headed up by people with good intent and that care about their legacy. They'll be spoken well of in the decades to come, and they care about that. Rather than being motivated by short term profits. Good for them, they are a model of careful design and model of a business with a respect for their customers. I own a small business myself, I put my customers before me so it's something I feel strongly about. I probably need to shut up before I light a fuse on some explosive.

Sermon over. ....