eq's

I'm assuming that by EQ bars you mean a graphic EQ, that is, the little sliders.

EQ affects your tone by boosting or cutting certain frequencies. On a graphic EQ, the positions of the sliders are a physical representation of the frequency response you are designing.

To have good bottom end, you turn up the low frequencies, to have punch you'll want to boost mids, and, well, to get highs you boost the highs. Since you want all of that you could maybe just turn up the volume? Seriously, though, you might want to boost the lows, and especially the low-mids; those keep you from getting buried in the mix. Those are in the range of 250-500 hz. Then, keep your higher mids flat, or maybe cut them a little bit. Then, boost the highs for more treble. If that doesn't float your boat, cut the low-mids a bit and boost the high-mids until you get the tone you want. It's all about expermentation.

Good luck!

 

<<--- See that guy? He smiles. Thats the way your EQ should look for that kinda sound. EQ is in very simple terms a volume knob for each individual frequency. There are three types of EQ. Graphic EQ adjusts the frequency of some preset freq. On most amps the range is between 30 Hz and 20 KHz. These are just split up between the number of sliders/knobs you have. So nine band EQ divides it into nine segments. A semi-parametric EQ has the ability to adjust some of the frequencies rather than them being preset. These are normally five band EQ's and you can move the three middle around. Say you can adjust the second frequency from 100 Hz to 90 Hz or 120 Hz. They are not preset. In a parametric EQ all of the bands are adjustable, not just a few select bands.

There are many different EQ shapes, the smiley probably being my favorite. If you just play around with it you can find many great tones. Usually you want to try and make a flowing shape with the sliders, or imagine in your mind what it would look like. Try a J for some bottom, limited middle, and high treble, or a reverse reverse J for the opposite effect. Some people like a variation on the smiley with a big V, but that sometimes sounds harsh around the middle. Hope this helps, just remember, experimentation is the key.

 

Ok Superduck and I posted at the same time, I hadn't read his while I was typing it and we both said the same thing. EXPERIMENT. It's the greatest musical tool we have.

 

Pft. You SO read that in my post.

 

Do not do the happy face if you're eqing a PA . Right, Superduck? I see so many guys with the smilie curve complaining that they can't get the vocals clear......Kick sounds great, though.

 

Bwahaha, it's funny because it's true! Yes, EQ curves that work for bass do NOT apply to all situations.

 

My guitarist/soundguy has yet to figure out how to adjust an EQ, whether it be on the board or his amp. Can you say "tinny?" I knew ya could.