Noob question about eqs

[darknes40]

So quick question on rack eqs and I guess pedal eqs as well, let's say I find a rack eq on the bay. Will any work or do need one especially made for bass/guitar? And if the answer is maybe what is it I should look for to make sure it will work for me?

Also pedal eqs? Are they like other effects where better brands produce better effects or will an eq by .. Behringer.. Work as well as one from boss

[DBCrocky]

You should do some googling on the word Equalization, there are a lot of tutorials on websites and youtube, etc. You should definitely understand the fundamentals of EQ, such as frequencies, boost/cut amounts, and bandwidths, as well as what shelving EQ's are, bandpass vs highpass vs lowpass filters, and the the difference between graphic EQ's and parametric EQ's.

Once you understand how EQ's work, you'll be better equipped to pick the right EQ for what it is you want to be able to do with it.

As for brands and prices, what EQ's do is pretty fundamental. The real difference in units less than a few hundred dollars is the quietness and lack of distortion with which they do it. You can buy studio tube EQ's that go into the thousands of dollars, and there is a general sounds as good as you pay for difference between products.

Hope that helps!

[bassbrad]

Originally Posted by darknes40

Also pedal eqs? Are they like other effects where better brands produce better effects or will an eq by .. Behringer.. Work as well as one from boss

Be sure to read the EQ section on Bongomania' OVNI web site, lots of well explained info there.
http://www.ovnilab.com/articles/eqtypes.shtml

Some brands may be quieter or more dependable or durable. More expensive brands may offer better components, design or a specific sound. There may also be differences between frequency bands. Bass EQs will generally concentrate on more important bands of EQ that make a difference for bass. Don't over look the possibilities of both extended band and limited band EQs as they both serve their purposes.
Don't get sucked into a 31 band EQ, they offer a lot of contro great for room or PA EQ but are not good for creating a "tone". More limited band controllers are better for that 6, 7 or 10 bands or less.

[newbold]

Be sure to get an EQ pedal that has an overall level control.

Here's why:

when we start to use EQ, we tend to boost frequencies. These frequencies on a graphic are set and fairly narrow. When we want a wider band boosted we tend to boost adjascent frequencies but that just spikes narrow bands that are closer to one another, creating a dip along that band. When we start boosting all along the spectrum, what we're doing is adding signal here and there and there and since for the most part EQs don't really sound that great boosting, you're far better ahead to amplify the overall signal and cut out what you need because cutting frequencies doesn't introduce any noise or distortion into the signal.

Bump up your overall volume a bit

cut out what you don't want.

still too much in there? cut out the crap and boost the level a bit more. Less noise, less distortion, better tone, better tool.

[Rockin Mike]

Parametric EQs are nice because you can dial in exactly where you want a frequency peak or dip, and also how wide you want the peak or dip to be. This sounds a lot nicer on an instrument than approximating the curve by moving several sliders on a 31-band graphic, and gives you more control than the sliders on a 7 or 10 band EQ. The freq I want to play with always seems to be between the sliders on a 7 or 10 band.

Bear in mind also that what sounds good at home by yourself is completely different from what sounds good in an audience 50 feet away from your rig with the full band playing. A long cord or wireless so you can go into the audience and hear yourself in the room is an essential part of getting your EQ right.

And then you play a bigger room and the sound guy just takes your bass straight off a direct box, bypassing your wonderful EQ gear, and does whatever he wants with your sound in the PA.

Honestly I think the biggest improvement in my satisfaction with my own tone came from elevating my speakers to the same height as my ears. They perceive the tone so much better than my knees.

Also a lot of amps (most, even?) don't really come to life until they are cranked up to a certain level.

I used to try to use EQ to try to compensate for something missing in the sound my other gear was making. I learned it doesn't work that way. EQ can't add something that was never there. 90% of your tone comes from your bass, amp and fingers. EQ works as polish, to bring out the best of it, not to transform it to something different than it is.

[loopmantra]

+1 on parametric eq
although they are a 'porsche' of the eq's...they're great,but you must learn to tame them,'cause one small movement of the pots (center freq./level) goes a long way.A LONG WAY.

[darknes40]

ok well as far as relevant frequencies for bass are concerned whats the high and low limits before they become frequencies i probably wont use?

[loopmantra]

you need ALL of the lows(from 25hz to 100hz),most part of the mids(unless your bass sounds like a telephone with mids boosted,it happens),and some of the highs,just for presence,but,i'm thinking up to about 2khz.after that,if you boost,you will probably get only hiss..

[alec]

25Hz is redonkulous. If you have an EQ with 32Hz control, you would only ever want to cut frequencies that low. Don't start boosting until about 50-60hz and do it gentle-like.

[PilbaraBass]

Originally Posted by alec

25Hz is redonkulous. If you have an EQ with 32Hz control, you would only ever want to cut frequencies that low. Don't start boosting until about 50-60hz and do it gentle-like.

This is pretty much spot on.

[Russell L]

One of my favorite frequencies for bass is 100 Hz. Also, I cut some high mids to get rid of some fingernail picking noise, not all, but just so it doesn't stand out too much.