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Parametric EQ Recommendation?

C

Chris V

Feb 7, 2012
21
2
Austin, TX
chrisvreeland.com
#1
Howdy,
New here, so sorry if this has been asked infinite times... I searched, but didn't find any specific recommendations.

I'm thinking about putting a parametric EQ in my rack in-line between the bass & the amp. I've got a first-year Mesa Boogie D-180, the kind that came without the graphic EQ on the front, and I've found that it's a bit tubby in the low mids and would like to be able to notch out some of the 400-500 hz area. The mid knob on the amp seems to be above that, though the manual for these things doesn't give an exact frequency, & I lose all the grind when I turn it down, so it hasn't been any help attenuating the tubbiness.

I used to have a cheapo Peavy parametric in my rack, but it seemed to be a tone-suck in general. I'm pretty particular about keeping the signal path as clean as possible, so I'm hoping for something analog, without an A/D-D/A conversion going on.

I'm probably willing/able to spend in the $3-400.00 range - am I nuts? do I need to save up and spend more?

What are good brands, and have any of you had particular success with a unit that you like? Rack mount would be preferable, but not essential.

I mainly play old Fenders, and sometimes a Rick, My signal path is an RNC, the Boogie, and 2 single 15 cabs - a dietz box with an EV & a Bag End with a K-140.

Thanks!
 
#5
Hey, great start to the search -- I will check those all out.

I used to have the MXR 10-band graphic EQ, & didn't care for it -- can't put my finger on why. Then again, it was of early 80's vintage, and perhaps I should reconsider. I'm going to call around music stores this week & see who has what locally, and hopefully can turn up some of these to try out.

Thanks!
 
#6
+1 for the Empress ParaEQ!! Silent, transparent operation that adds or takes away with surgical precision over 3 wide bands that you can leave wide or pinpoint depending on your needs. It is better quality than my old Rane rack mounts and has a boost feature that can be enabled as well. The new model has the shape switches on the face of the box, just above the control knobs and is only about $250.
It is not a DI, but is not trying to be.
Hope that helps.
 
#7
In the pedal arena...

WMD Acoustic Trauama
StreamImage.jpg
 
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#10
bongomania said:
If you need rack, pick up a used Rane or Ashly. Pro quality that can be found for cheap on the used market.
Click to expand...

+1 A Rane PE-15 or PE-17 can be found for less the $200 used. The PE-17 even has a low cut (and a high cut) filter to percisely clean up the lows that a given cabinet may not be able to produce. Five parametric bands and I believe two of the band may be linked for some serious boost/cut around a common band.
 
#12
boethius said:
+1 for the Empress ParaEQ!! Silent, transparent operation that adds or takes away with surgical precision over 3 wide bands that you can leave wide or pinpoint depending on your needs. It is better quality than my old Rane rack mounts and has a boost feature that can be enabled as well. The new model has the shape switches on the face of the box, just above the control knobs and is only about $250.
It is not a DI, but is not trying to be.
Hope that helps.
Click to expand...

+1

Mine sounds better than the older rack mount units that I looked at. Didn't think I'd get any use out of the foot control of boost and EQ, but I do.
 
#14
I have a Boss PQ-50, which I picked up for about $65. Four bands with a Q value up to 14. Haven't noticed any noise issues with mine, and I even use it on my recording desk.

Unfortunately, they seem to be pretty rare...I'd really like another one.
 
#15
bongomania said:
If you need rack, pick up a used Rane or Ashly. Pro quality that can be found for cheap on the used market.

If a pedal will do you, then the Empress is the one to beat.
Click to expand...

The Ashlys look to be quite a bit more than the Ranes on Ebay. Are they both Analog?

The price on this one looks really good.
 
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#16
Ashly's older gear is all analog. About 10 years ago they made a huge shift over to digital systems, but they do still make a few of their analog items.

As far as prices, keep your eyes open. I've seen "steals" on Ashly gear at least once a month.
 
#17
I've had the Nady 5 band parametric. Stay away from that, it's a piece of crap. Poor QC.

I have had the Behringer 5 Band parametric, it is OK, though for me with Behringer it is a bit hit or miss on stage reliability or even studio reliability, and have had various pieces of Behringer kit, some of which I still use. FWIW, this was a hit.

I have the Rane PE17, it pairs with my DC24 in one of my racks. You can find them on ebay but some clowns are asking about USD$300 for them.

My best one is paired with my Demeter. It is a Klark Teknik DN405. They turn up on ebay, and having had all kinds of EQ over 30 years, these are as they say the 'dogs bollocks.' If you can't find one, the Rane is the next best thing, but I have AB'ed them and KT beats the Rane.

I also have the Akai PEQ6. I like it. Alain Caron used one back in the day. Its midi programmable. It is not parametric though.






Chris V said:
Howdy,
New here, so sorry if this has been asked infinite times... I searched, but didn't find any specific recommendations.

I'm thinking about putting a parametric EQ in my rack in-line between the bass & the amp. I've got a first-year Mesa Boogie D-180, the kind that came without the graphic EQ on the front, and I've found that it's a bit tubby in the low mids and would like to be able to notch out some of the 400-500 hz area. The mid knob on the amp seems to be above that, though the manual for these things doesn't give an exact frequency, & I lose all the grind when I turn it down, so it hasn't been any help attenuating the tubbiness.

I used to have a cheapo Peavy parametric in my rack, but it seemed to be a tone-suck in general. I'm pretty particular about keeping the signal path as clean as possible, so I'm hoping for something analog, without an A/D-D/A conversion going on.

I'm probably willing/able to spend in the $3-400.00 range - am I nuts? do I need to save up and spend more?

What are good brands, and have any of you had particular success with a unit that you like? Rack mount would be preferable, but not essential.

I mainly play old Fenders, and sometimes a Rick, My signal path is an RNC, the Boogie, and 2 single 15 cabs - a dietz box with an EV & a Bag End with a K-140.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
 
#18
caeman said:
In the pedal arena...

WMD Acoustic Trauama
StreamImage.jpg
Click to expand...

They make a smaller pedal that is just the parametric EQ section of this in their "Utility" line of pedals that I'd like to try sometime (though few places seem to stock it, I've seen them on Ebay for decent prices). I used to have a ParaEQ that was great and I was stupid to sell (not because I need it, but because its one of those pedals that you can always invariably find a use for sometime!). The cool thing about the WMD EQ over the Empress ParaEQ is that the WMD has a Q knob with a very wide range vs the ParaEQ with just three set choices for each band.
 
#20
Since everything but the kitchen sink is getting thrown in here... :) (Cue kitchen sink)

Have you tried the Boss GEB-7 yet? I'm only mentioning it because a) you seem pretty confident that you just need/want a 500hz cut - which it does,
and, b) if it's just a 'slight' tubbiness in the mids, maybe it's something you don't always need cut, and could make use of a footswitchable eq.
 

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