how do I utilize a parametric EQ for fingerstyle?

casio · #1 10-15-2007, 04:57 AM

ok, I wanted to see if I could get some help here:
I own an m-pulse 600 and have the 5band semi paramteric on it.
I play both fingerstyle and with a pick, but I'm not managing to get a satisfactory sound playing with my fingers. I usualy use the same setting as I do with a pick (wrong approach from the start, I know), but which frequencies should I boost/cut to get a clear yet bassy tone (lets say like incubus or one of those bands) playing with my fingers!
I prefer the fingerstyle feel, but I dont use it as often as I would like since my tone suffers because of it!

DavePlaysBass · #2 10-15-2007, 06:07 AM

I always avoid the smiley face. I tend to always have a frown of some sort. I like to boost at 800Hz to get a cutting fingers style tone. I boost at 200 Hz if I am more interest in a boomy tone that is more felt than heard. I tend to leave the bass and treble flat. Sometimes I cut treble. But it could be my head and cabinets that are different than yours.

John Wentzien · #3 10-15-2007, 06:32 AM

Don't cut your mids. Try a small boost at 800 or 900hz. then add bass to match betweeen 40 and 100hz.

casio · #4 10-15-2007, 06:39 AM

thanks!
I couldn't get the smiley face even if I wanted with a parametric!

plus that just has no efficiency even when I had a graphic EQ cause my guitar player cuts his mids excessively!

elpelotero · #5 10-15-2007, 08:40 AM

Incubus is all these settings:

30 hz (gives the deep warm bottom)
650 hz (fulfill the mids nicely)
4000 hz (the biting growly highs)

After that, you may want to try boosting the low mids (b/c of his Warwick and Eden combination) and some regular mids (to get some of that snarl/growl he gets sometimes when he digs in). Don't go crazy with the upper mids or too much treble. That's definitely not where he gets his sound.

The fact that your guitarist cuts his mids is good for you if you use the settings I suggested. You should cut through well.