Earthquaker Devices ZEQD-Pre

[Frank_Raider]

What do we think about this one?



I think it sounds great, and it has a set of good features. Not cheap, but it packs a lot. I love EQD, and I really like the stance they are taking when it comes to "non-complicated" signal paths in contrast with current multiFX.

 

[tubedude]

Love EQD pedals, and this has some good features, and has a good plate voltage, but this sounds buzzy/ratty and overly compressed to me. I'd have to play one.

 

[davelowell2]

This looks interesting. Any gutshots out there, can’t find one, maybe it’s too new?

 

[MojoPin]

It's about time guitar players caught up with bass players when it comes to end of the line pedalboard DIs is what I think. I might pick this up for my guitar rig though I'm leaning on the Tone King's Tri Tube Imperial preamp since it has a great tremolo and reverb plus 3 different IRs you can use for each channel though I do like the idea of having an analog cab sim similar in the way the Bass Rig Super Vintage does so the Z-EQD pre still interests me. I've got plenty of other options for my bass rig so I wouldn't even consider it for that but if you have some music that leans heavy it might work for you but I'd probably rather just use my Super Vintage for the SVT vibe and call it a day in a heavy music setting not to mention the modern channel on my SB300.

 

[bassbrad]

Happy to see more players in the tube preamp game but my @Sushi Box FX pedals are still doing the business for the tones I need on guitar and bass.

 

[Dr McBalders]

This looks cool, and I like most EF86 based circuits, but I am going to stick with my Tone King Imperial preamp for guitar work. I can't say enough good things about it.

 

[themickster]

It's got a wide range of tones

 

[Grahams Groove]

From the site:

Bass: Use the Bass rotary knob to adjust the frequency range from 20 Hz to 400 Hz.

Middle: Use the Middle rotary knob to adjust the frequency range from 400 Hz to 2 kHz.

Treble: Use the Treble rotary knob to adjust the frequency range from 2 kHz to 20 kHz.

I'm confused since they don't appear to be stacked controls. Seems like this is a mistake, in which case I'd be curious what the EQ points are for the B,M,T controls...

 

[KidAmnesia]

From the site:


I'm confused since they don't appear to be stacked controls. Seems like this is a mistake, in which case I'd be curious what the EQ points are for the B,M,T controls...

I guess it's the range of the spectrum the knob affects; like the Mid control boosts or cuts everything between 400 and 2k. It's a weird way to frame it though.

 

[EastDakota]

It's a passive EQ, so probably Fender-ish, but yeah their description of including those ranges is a bit atypical. The boost removing the tonestack is interesting. I also wonder what the cab sim circuit is like, I imagine it's a pretty simple high-pass + low-pass?

 

[humbuckaroo]

I have the Easy Listening for low volume practice, and I think that's enough. 99 bucks and done.

 

[Grahams Groove]

I have the Easy Listening for low volume practice, and I think that's enough. 99 bucks and done.

To be fair, that’s a completely different tool with a different purpose. This ZEQD can accommodate headphone practice/recording, like the EL. It also has EQ, boost, XLR out, and is made to be run into an amp if desired. Seems like a tiny bit of overlap, but generally for different applications.

 

[humbuckaroo]

To be fair, that’s a completely different tool with a different purpose. This ZEQD can accommodate headphone practice/recording, like the EL. It also has EQ, boost, XLR out, and is made to be run into an amp if desired. Seems like a tiny bit of overlap, but generally for different applications.

I run my EL into my Audioengine A5+ speaker and a Focusrite all the time. All you need for the speakers is a ten dollar 3.5mm to RCA cable. I get my EQ from my SansAmp, and I imagine most bass players already have some kind of preamp solution. This setup has replaced practice amps for me completely.

Don't get me wrong, I think the ZEQD is a great product, but most of what it offers is available in the EL for much cheaper with just a touch of ingenuity.

 

[Grahams Groove]

Don't get me wrong, I think the ZEQD is a great product, but most of what it offers is available in the EL for much cheaper with just a touch of ingenuity.

My point isn’t to be argumentative, but it objectively does not offer most of the same thing. EL is a fixed EQ/amp sim profile with a volume knob - take it or leave it. You even mentioned that you’re running a preamp into it.

Most of what the ZEQD provides is adjustable EQ, and tube gain, and an independent boost, and the appropriate onboard outputs to run signals for live work, FOH, recording, and/or silent practice. It’s a full tube preamp box with silent practice capabilities.

 

[Us3rName]

I just got the ZEQD. I also have the Origin Effects BassRig '64 Black Panel and the Tone King Imperial preamp. I keep the BassRig on my bass pedalboard and I got the Z and the Tone King for recording guitar through an audio interface.

I think the ZEQD is very nice. It doesn't have bells and whistles like the Tone King (which is awesome), but it sounds like a nice amp straight into the computer. I didn't get it for bass, but remembering the EQD video above where they briefly used it with a bass, I gave it a try - and it sounds great with bass. Unlike many overdrive or fuzz pedals meant for guitar it doesn't siphon off the low end. It does have a compressed sound - I think this is a natural and desirable aspect of having a tube in the signal chain. But as was mentioned above, there is some compression.

 

[thedaemon]

I just ordered mine and it should be in tomorrow. I'll try to post a review.