Is 4-band EQ overkill?

deepestend · #1 12-04-2011, 02:02 PM

What's your gut reaction on this?

I'm trying to decide between a 3 band audere and a 4 band audere for a jazz bass project where I'll be playing rock, funk, pscyh, and groove music.

I know that this is subjective and that people use all kinds of over the top eq. I just want your gut reaction!

topo morto · #2 12-04-2011, 02:19 PM

I would choose more based on the EQ frequencies / widths / type (shelving/peaking, etc) than on the number of controls.

1958Bassman · #3 12-04-2011, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deepestend

What's your gut reaction on this?

I'm trying to decide between a 3 band audere and a 4 band audere for a jazz bass project where I'll be playing rock, funk, pscyh, and groove music.

I know that this is subjective and that people use all kinds of over the top eq. I just want your gut reaction!

If it's parametric, 4 bands can be enough but if it's four bands that have a fixed frequency center, it's not enough unless the four bands are ONLY in the low frequency range.

Bob C · #4 12-04-2011, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1958Bassman

If it's parametric, 4 bands can be enough but if it's four bands that have a fixed frequency center, it's not enough unless the four bands are ONLY in the low frequency range.

He's talking about onboard EQ (in the bass). You're not going to get that in 4 band parametric configuration. Well, unless you're Phil Lesh, or something.

Jim Carr · #5 12-04-2011, 02:44 PM

I find both 2 band (on my Sadowsky), and 3 band (on Valenti OBP-3 with 2 position mid band) are both fine with a basic flattish setting on my amp.

deepestend · #6 12-04-2011, 02:49 PM

I wish I was phil lesh! But yes, I'm talking 3 vs 4 band onboard pre eq.

MysticMichael · #7 12-04-2011, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deepestend

I know that this is subjective and that people use all kinds of over the top eq. I just want your gut reaction!

My gut reaction is that the Audere 4-band preamp is a beautiful thing. And that you're still a long way away from overkill...

I've never understood why bassists would fret (pun unintended) about having more EQ and signal-processing options, rather than fewer - as if there were some kind of stigma attached to having a full palette of choices available. Almost like being a real musician...

MM

Dan Robbins · #8 12-04-2011, 02:51 PM

I like having Treble 8k, high mid 2.5k, low mid 400hz, bass 100hz as on my Bongo. Treble is not TOO high (quite "airy") and it's very musical and helps with dead strings, 2.5 kh gives me the P-bass grind, or takes out harshness, 400hz is the low mid Jaco tone, or cut for slapping, and 100hz is a very useable bass boost that isn't muddy.

Long live the Bongo 4-band! I wish it was in all of my basses.

I've had a John East 3-band parametric mid, but I'd take the Bongo preamp anyday. I LOVE having low and high mids

Jefenator · #9 12-04-2011, 02:53 PM

For me? Heck, 4-band is too much on the amp!

But I've never done well with the whole "forest of knobs" thing. (My band leader calls new tunes so fast, I barely have time to do anything!) I prefer 2-band - single passive tone knob, even better. I rely on the wood, the pickups, the strings, the amp, speaker, and not least of all my hands for tasty midrange.

Obviously YMMV!

deepestend · #10 12-04-2011, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

My gut reaction is that the Audere 4-band preamp is a beautiful thing. And that you're still a long way away from overkill...

I've never understood why bassists would fret (pun unintended) about having more EQ and signal-processing options, rather than fewer - as if there were some kind of stigma attached to having a full palette of choices available. Almost like being a real musician...

MM

You make some good points here. I guess that I can get distracted from actual playing with too many knobs and wanted to know if 4 is really that much better. Good answers so far!

JimiLL · #11 12-04-2011, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

My gut reaction is that the Audere 4-band preamp is a beautiful thing. And that you're still a long way away from overkill...

I've never understood why bassists would fret (pun unintended) about having more EQ and signal-processing options, rather than fewer - as if there were some kind of stigma attached to having a full palette of choices available. Almost like being a real musician...

MM

+1. Someone on here even wonders why amp manufacturers dont make amps with 2 knobs to cater to ....him

bassist4dalord · #12 12-04-2011, 03:11 PM

I prefer a 3-band if I'm going to have an active bass. MY GK MB115 has a 4-band, and I would prefer a 3-band. Call me crazy; that's just my preference.

azzyrazzy · #13 12-04-2011, 03:11 PM

3-band parametric here NOLLelectronic

Jefenator · #14 12-04-2011, 10:40 PM

If I had to choose just between 3 and 4 band onboard, even though I am a total EQ hater, I might actually have to go with 4.

My logic would be that low mids and high mids are very different beasts and they perhaps ought not to be sharing a knob. (And since I'm zero for four with the 3-band axes I've owned, why not give the other concept a shot?)

Of course, sweepable/switchable frequency center could help with the 3-band. And the overall quality of voicing is hugely important.

VanillaThundah · #15 12-04-2011, 10:49 PM

I don't think 4 is overkill, mids are your most important frequency range when we're talking about cutting through in live sound. Overkill depends on what you feel is a waste or just hinders your creativity. Perhaps there is a guy who wants 7 bands of EQ on-board his bass...if he can rock it and make some good music then good for him. Personally, I wouldn't use THAT much shaping so it isn't for me.

I will say this, so I don't just sound like a fence rider, if I had the opportunity to have a 4-band EQ on my bass...I would JUMP ON IT

Ric5 · #16 12-04-2011, 10:51 PM

I really like the 4 band Audere preamp. You end up with 6 knobs to control volume and tone.

khutch · #17 12-05-2011, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jefenator

But I've never done well with the whole "forest of knobs" thing. (My band leader calls new tunes so fast, I barely have time to do anything!)

Personally, I don't think an electric bass can ever have too many knobs! But you have a perfectly valid point here. I can spend an hour amusing myself with twisting knobs but how could I do that when actually playing? Not very well unless all the tonal choices I like happen to be at either extreme or the detents on the tone knobs. Even then with my memory....

It would be nice if instead of knobs an active bass had <insert your number here> preset buttons and you could choose among your favorite EQ settings on the fly by hitting one. I know that there are external boxes that do this but the point of an active bass is to have that right at your fingertips isn't it? I can picture it now, a 20 band EQ, a USB port, a laptop application to set up the presets, and as many or few buttons as you need to choose between them while playing.

Ken

jim777 · #18 12-05-2011, 07:41 AM

I'd have to go with a 4 band myself if it was an easy install and price choice. Like Dan Robbins said earlier, I wish I had the Bongo pre in all my basses; it's that good

onosson · #19 12-05-2011, 07:51 AM

I have never found myself in a situation where I thought to myself, "I have too many eq options". OTOH, I have thought, "None of these options is any good".

But seriously, as good as an onboard eq may be, I need some way to address a range of frequencies usually. Being able to choose between 70Hz up to maybe 200Hz, then anywhere from 300Hz up to 800 or 900Hz, and zero in on whatever frequency in that range is needed (usually to cut!) for the room I'm in, is an essential feature once you learn how to use it. And then some nice top end from 1KHz up to 7 or 8KHz, season to taste... and you're done!

Bottom line: fixed eq positions... don't work in every situation.

deepestend · #20 12-05-2011, 08:15 AM

Say I do get a 4-band... and it looks likely. How does one get started in "really" understanding it and learning how to use it aside from fumbling into something that sounds good for a particular situation (and there's something to be said for that, of course).

For the Audere, here are the frequency responses:

Bass shelving ending at 172 Hz +/- 15 dB
Mid1 centered at 200 Hz (wide control) +/- 10 dB
Mid2 centered at 800 Hz +/- 10 dB
Treble shelving starting at 1.92 KHz +/- 15 dB

more:
• The Bass control is shelving.
The signal level can be increase or decreased by 15+ dB.
The 1/2 variation frequency is at 172 Hz.

• The Low-Mid control is centered at 200 Hz.
This is a very wide bandwidth control meaning the control effects a wide range of mid band frequencies.
The signal can be increased or decreased by 10+ dB.

• The High-Mid control is centered at 800 Hz.
This control is not as wide as the Low Mid control but relatively wide compared to typical controls.
The signal can be increased or decreased by 10+ dB.

• The Treble control is shelving.
The signal can be increased or decrease by 15+ dB.
The 1/2 variation frequency is at 1.92 KHz.