• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

High Pass Filter (HPF) and Low Pass Filter (LPF) Mega Thread

#821
lowplaces said:
Second paragraph of the OP of this thread mentions a high pass filter can help protect drivers. ( as can limiting )

That's the relationship I'm just guessing Gremson might have been thinking about. I could be wrong but he may have meant that if he gets a HPF he won't need both.
Click to expand...
Well that may be true but I wouldn't use one to do the job of the other, of course. I suppose he knows that.

:D

And really, even though I use them and enjoy them, this is going to be unpopular here but I'm not nearly as gung-ho about using them in every circumstance as a cure for what ails ya. I only use them because I was forced back into using DI's instead of micing and wanted to stop using the VT Deluxe on upright with my big pedalboard because it wasn't a one-stomp switch and I didn't want LPF on it. So they're totally for emulating my cab freq response in the PA.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: lowplaces
#822
Gremson said:
The Broughton is functionally what I'm looking for. The only reason I'm curious about variants is because I'm not fond of top mounted jacks. That, and because it just seems like there'd be more than one pedal like that with all the homegrown boutique builders out in the world.
Click to expand...
I hear Bro Josh Bro-ton will put side jacks if you request them.
 
#825
lowplaces said:
Second paragraph of the OP of this thread mentions a high pass filter can help protect drivers. ( as can limiting )

That's the relationship I'm just guessing Gremson might have been thinking about. I could be wrong but he may have meant that if he gets a HPF he won't need both.
Click to expand...

Here is a direct quote:

"I know I'd benefit from a HPF, but after playing around with my rig some I'm starting to think adding a LPF to go with it could eliminate my need for a compressor."

Now, I fail to see how a Low Pass Filter would have ANYTHING to do with compression, limiting, speaker protection, or anything like that...
 
#826
A filter lowers the energy in a signal. One that lowers the low end content even more so. A strong signal can drive an amp into compression. Same with driving speakers hard. So if anything, with a HP/LP filter there is less potential for driving an amp or speakers into compression.

A bandpass filter or an EQ which cuts high and low mids, can make a signal SOUND more compressed even though it isn’t actually compressing.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Stumbo and lowplaces
#827
beans-on-toast said:
A filter lowers the energy in a signal. One that lowers the low end content even more so. A strong signal can drive an amp into compression. Same with driving speakers hard. So if anything, with a HP/LP filter there is less potential for driving an amp or speakers into compression.

A bandpass filter, which cuts highs and lows, can make a signal SOUND more compressed even though it isn’t actually compressing.
Click to expand...

I can see the HPF having that effect, but the LPF end of it doesn't seem like it would do much if anything in the way of simulating compression *to me*, but maybe I'm wrong about that...
 
#828
mesaplayer83 said:
I can see the HPF having that effect, but the LPF end of it doesn't seem like it would do much if anything in the way of simulating compression *to me*, but maybe I'm wrong about that...
Click to expand...

You are right, a LPF on its own won’t contribute to simulating the sound of compression. I did say a bandpass filter. I clarified to add such as a wha or narrowly boosted mid EQ above.

If your gain into the amp is really cranked into compression with a pedal for example, then that is fed into the filter it will modify the sound. It could have an effect by changing the compression in a desirable way.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mesaplayer83 and lowplaces
#831
caligula said:
v
Click to expand...

@caligula:
I agree with what others have said.

When your rig sounds fine in other venues, but creates mud in this particular one, it has to do with that particular venue. That wooden stage looks like an invitation to mud city.

You used only one single cab and you have a Modulus Quantum, right? Those Moduli are far away from muddy, I know from first hand experience having owned three of them. My 2 cents long distance diagnosis: Your rig doesn't seem to be the source of the problem. That doesn't mean it couldn't create sonic problems on a bad stage.

I started using the Broughton HPF a few months ago and it cleans up the low end and gets rid of 95% of all the unwanted boom and mud.

It works so great, I couldn't believe the difference. I never leave home without it anymore.

My approach would probably be, amp flat, bass EQ flat, turn down stage volume a tiny bit and see how that works. Then probably relocate the rig a bit away from the singers or those who complain about the bass and get a HPF pedal.

You could also try a Empress ParaEq , try to isolate the frequency that creates the mud and cut it with the EQ pedal. I use the Empress Para for that and it has helped me quite a few times in such a situation.

I also use a compressor pedal, usually the EBS or the Smoothie, and it cleans up the tone nicely and adds definition. I very, very rarely have problems with a muddy, boomy bass tone.​
 
Last edited:
#833
Notes from a prior sale by @The Diaper Geni SOLD - Broughton Audio HPF/LPF

"Do a search here on TB. These are, IMO, about the most useful pedal one can own. The quality of the build is second to none. Josh Broughton (@Azure Skies) builds great pedals and takes great pride in his work. And it shows.

I'm going to be making a purchase that will make this pedal redundant. If you're really bored, you can read about my "dilemma" here. And here's one thread about Josh's HPF/LPF. There are more.

I bought this one brand spankin' for $160. It's been on my pedal board and used about every day since I've gotten it. But it's in VGC+. Velcro installed for your convenience.

I had Josh make it with a 10 Meg input impedance for use with my Full Circle equipped upright. But it works great with any electric you can throw at it. Lots of clean Gain on tap. Extremely quiet.

I really enjoy how the HPF and LPF knobs/pots are very....Linear?...Evenly tapered? Not sure how to describe it on a post-gigging-a-lot-over-the-weekend Monday morn, but with other HPF/LPF's I've used, you turn the knobs and nothing happens until BAM!, suddenly you've gone too far. Not with this one. The rolloff is very even and predictable. VERY easy to use on the fly.
$130 shipped.
View attachment 832210
View attachment 832211
 
Last edited:
#835
scuzzy said:
v
Click to expand...

@scuzzy:

A few samples posted here NPD - will it replace my entire board? Possibly...
View attachment 3038315
Got it in this past Thursday. Been reading manuals and tinkering since. I was really skeptical the first 24 hours, but this morning I was able to use my new knowledge and dial in a span of patches for my Ovation Magnum and I am left impressed.

Pretty much working on a list of clean and gritty amp packages. Svt, B15, GK 800rb, HiWatt 100, Fender Bassman, Marshall Super Lead using different bass cabs and different mics. All of them sound great. It takes tinkering and work and the volume matching for the patches is tedious, but the tones are quite impressive.

The high and low pass filters available are great and really cleaned up my sound.

The tube comp is a very nice sounding compressor. Dual channel amping is quite easy and opens up nice opportunities for pitch shifting and delay/reverb for a nice rhythm guitar fill for those times I only accompany an acoustic but we need fullness and grit.

The more I learn it, the more I like it. Truly a great sounding modeler, but you gotta work at it. Them tones don't come easy.

I haven't put my stomp boxes up for sale yet, but a few of them are in danger of a departure. If anyone has any tips for use, let me know.

I am working on three different banks for my 3 styles of basses right now. High output passive, high output active, and low output (nordy and Magnum). This seemed to be the best solution instead of manually tweaking each drive patch with each bass change.

Now I'm looking into some affordable full range monitors for stage use at church. My amp may be sitting at home as well....
 
  • Like
Reactions: son_of_mogh and JimmyM

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back