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Dynamic EQ... in a compact pedal?

scotch

scotch

It's not rocket science!
Nov 12, 2006
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Albany, NY USA
www.justinoscarcary.com
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#1
I've been using the TDL Nova eq to help "fix" wolf-tones and frequencies that stick out too much when mixing in my DAW. I thought this could be a very useful tool for live performance as well.

Basically it monitors your incoming (and then outgoing) frequency spectrum and you can boost or cut parametrically in a static fashion (traditional eq'ing) -or- you can use the integrated compressor-esque circuit to reduce those peaks when they cross the db threshold you set! In other words, the eq curve isn't applied until the wolf-tone happens, then the eq turns itself off. This helps maintain other notes' fundamentals and sounds less artificial to my ears when doing surgical eq.

Is there a pedal that does this already? I don't want to get into some sort of vst loader, they make me nervous live.

Here's a clip of the software in action:
 
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#2
Wwhoo, maybe not all of that! This is about as close in a small pedal.
TC Electronic | Product | SPECTRACOMP BASS COMPRESSOR
Split band is like the cross-over in your stereo speaker system. All about separation to keep it balanced and clean. Used a TC electronic Triple C compressor years back and very musical. So many things to choose from now?? Good luck and you are on the right TRACK... no pun.
 
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#3
Bboopbennie said:
Wwhoo, maybe not all of that! This is about as close in a small pedal.
TC Electronic | Product | SPECTRACOMP BASS COMPRESSOR
Split band is like the cross-over in your stereo speaker system. All about separation to keep it balanced and clean. Used a TC electronic Triple C compressor years back and very musical. So many things to choose from now?? Good luck and you are on the right TRACK... no pun.
Click to expand...
I have one of those & while it's not my favorite comp pedal due to the difficulty of adjustment in a performance context, it is a great ULTRA versatile compressor!

What's cool about the dynamic eq plug-in above is that it doesn't do anything until you spike a frequency. I may dig deeper in the TC Spectra'.... just can't practically dial that thing in on stage or might be too cumbersome on a session.... good idea though!!
 
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#4
>>>I have one of those & while it's not my favorite comp pedal due to the difficulty of adjustment in a performance context, it is a great ULTRA versatile compressor! <<<

I agree with this, very hard to get a pedal that does the impossible and can be adjusted on the fly. I own a Diamond comp, while easy to use, its pretty sterile sounding. That's why I mentioned the Triple C rack mount.
Not in production for years, but a studio quality compressor with presets on the fly. Just to much crap to move around gigging. Let us know when you find the Ultra pedal ?? Good luck !
 
#12
closest thing I can think of - not exactly compact - is the Empress compressor which has an externally accessible side chain so you can plug in your EQ of choice. If you were to use the Empress EQ in the side chain that would give you frequency conscious compression. Probably still not the same thing as a specialized dynamic EQ that you'd find in the world of plugins, may or may not meet your needs. You could further use a second Empress EQ which would go on the audio path. Let's say you want to emphasize 3k to get more definition, but don't want to excess clack if you happen to hit a note with lots of 3k content... you could dial up a boost at 3k on the audio path, and then compress at 3k to keep that boost from getting out of hand. But I'm not sure if that is the same as a dynamic EQ. It's on my list of things to try with my computer audio setup.
 
#14
I am not great with electronics, but it may not be that hard to achieve... I think you would need an envelope detector circuit with a single band parametric EQ in the side chain to select the frequency, with attack / decay, and threshold controls on the envelope. Then the envelope detector would have to sweep the boost / cut of a matching EQ in the audio path (like in an envelope filter but instead of sweeping the filter). Could be pretty interesting.
 
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#15
Bassgeer said:
I am not great with electronics, but it may not be that hard to achieve... I think you would need an envelope detector circuit with a single band parametric EQ in the side chain to select the frequency, with attack / decay, and threshold controls on the envelope. Then the envelope detector would have to sweep the boost / cut of a matching EQ in the audio path (like in an envelope filter but instead of sweeping the filter). Could be pretty interesting.
Click to expand...

Oh yes you are, that was well said! The triple C had a look ahead envelope filter and you could side chain a parametric eq to be more precise. The other poster that said EQ.. and not split band, doesn't understand how
much it can effect the spectrum. Orban processors have about 8 bands of compression to flatten out and shape
the content. The triple C is long gone, but a great box in its day. So much more ahead ( magic boxes ) and a very interesting post.
 
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#16
Bboopbennie said:
Oh yes you are, that was well said! The triple C had a look ahead envelope filter and you could side chain a parametric eq to be more precise. The other poster that said EQ.. and not split band, doesn't understand how
much it can effect the spectrum. Orban processors have about 8 bands of compression to flatten out and shape
the content. The triple C is long gone, but a great box in its day. So much more ahead ( magic boxes ) and a very interesting post.
Click to expand...

Cool, that's nice to know I wasn't too far off the mark! Something like this could definitely be a unique and powerful tool, and open up lots of possibilities for tone shaping.
 
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#17
cavemanbass said:
closest thing I can think of - not exactly compact - is the Empress compressor which has an externally accessible side chain so you can plug in your EQ of choice. If you were to use the Empress EQ in the side chain that would give you frequency conscious compression. Probably still not the same thing as a specialized dynamic EQ that you'd find in the world of plugins, may or may not meet your needs. You could further use a second Empress EQ which would go on the audio path. Let's say you want to emphasize 3k to get more definition, but don't want to excess clack if you happen to hit a note with lots of 3k content... you could dial up a boost at 3k on the audio path, and then compress at 3k to keep that boost from getting out of hand. But I'm not sure if that is the same as a dynamic EQ. It's on my list of things to try with my computer audio setup.
Click to expand...
An EQ in the sidechain of any compressor does not act like a dynamic eq. It will just change how the compressor reacts to the input signal. That is very far from how a dynamic eq works...
 
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#18
frankzap said:
An EQ in the sidechain of any compressor does not act like a dynamic eq. It will just change how the compressor reacts to the input signal. That is very far from how a dynamic eq works...
Click to expand...

Compression IS a dynamic limiter. Now shape the spectrum with split- BAND ( that's Frequency ! ) Its NOT straight equalization, but it does effect the spectrum. look at the OP post / graph ?
 
#19
The idea is to have an all-in-one solution that doesn't require sidechaining external devices. Plus the detection factor of the visual real-time frequency spectrum plot makes it fast to identify offending frequencies! The graph really is necessary as, in my experience, the performer simply isn't going to identify frequencies accurately in the heat of performance.
 
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#20
Scotch- I hear you, but different rooms ( acoustics ) will act different. The spectra graph is only a reference, but you have to start somewhere/base. A dead room may suck out 4 db @ 2k vs a live one. Also what other instruments are being played/ loud, can cancel out 2k @ 2db. As you probably know sound checking in an empty
room changes a lot when it fills up with people. Took me years to get the bass where I wanted it without a sound guy, I am sure you will figure it out quicker than me!!

For Frankzap , I am guessing its referenced to Frank Zappa?? My band mate/ friend Dennis, was Frank's sound engineer at his home studio for years. Got a check from Gal and Frank Zappa for $ 30.00 and the fool I am, I cashed it. ~!@#$%^&*(( :)
 
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