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what works for [you] doesn't work for those who need to undercut the FOHsubsRusWErSUBS mentality.
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Typo sorry. What works for you doesn't work for others fighting stupid sub boost from FOH kids who think rock should sound lIke EDM.
I see. There is a simple cure: switch the pre/post button to "post" position... Then the HPF affects the DI...
Amp inbuilt fixed HPF is only around the range PA has on its own subs or lower. Just a rumble filter.
I have never thought about HPF as being the weapon to "fight FOH kids". I am afraid that nothing bass player can do on the stage can be sufficient to prevail over "enemy FOH kids". I rather try to see them as allies and try to help them...in a way which I consider beneficial for the overall sound...
That can be correct for some built-in HPFs... but not for others. I understand that built-in HPFs might differ amp to amp. Especially micro amps (which are presumed to be feeding small cabinets) can have built-in HPFs set higher than others...like Trace Elliot Elf, for example. But if you are correct, it negates your argument that the built-in HPF can be used to fight "stupid sub boost from FOH kids"
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I had a guitar player who would have scoffed at the very idea of adding a HPF to his rig. "But it messes with my tone!" His precious tone... so thumpy and bottom heavy I may as well have not showed up to practice at all most days.
The rest of us all did everything we could to get him to turn down the low end on his amp, but he was downright indignant about it. And this is a lifelong friend of over 30 years that I've literally been playing music with for almost 20.
I would get to practice early just so I could tweak his EQ ever so slightly each day. Just a hair so he wouldn't notice... everything was going fine until I realized I was adjusting the wrong channel all along.
I even went so far as to buy a Tubescreamer, famous for it's low-end roll off, and gave it to him as a gift. He hated it because it "sucked out all the beef" from his precious tone. Beef which was messing up our entire mix and causing everyone to have to turn up to be heard. I even contemplated hiding my Broughton in the FX loop of his combo, but couldn't figure out how to power it without him noticing.
Somehow I talked him into buying a Telecaster, which was at least clearer and brighter and less bassy than his humbucker-equipped guitar. But cutting low end at the amp... absolutely out of the question! Turning down the gain and playing cleaner? Even more out of the question!
Oh, and did I mention that he was obsessed with using his neck pickup in all the wrong places? Mud city!
So I would say no, people will not just magically understand. Most people have a very pre-conceived notion of what they think they should sound like, and everyone else, and the mix they rode in on, be damned.
My greatest joy in that band was highpassing the crap out of his guitar tracks when mixing our basement jams. "Oh yeah! Sounds really great! Nice work on the mixing!"
The best solution would be to switch roles in the band... Let him become the bassman!
The best solution would be to switch roles in the band... Let him become the bassman!
or even better, let him play drums! 
Wise(b)ass
The best solution would be to switch roles in the band... Let him become the bassman!
lol, everyone is definitely better off without me playing guitar.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 60,963
- 5
- 220,650
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
I typically place the amp's built in HPF early in the signal path. The pre out DI signal is pre everything because presumably on gigs that matter the sound guy will have the necessary tools.
It should be noted that most of the amps I design are intended for the upscale market, they are not intended to "fix stupid".
It should be noted that most of the amps I design are intended for the upscale market, they are not intended to "fix stupid".
Passinwind
I know nothing.
- Dec 3, 2003
- 23,045
- 45,909
- Disclosures
- Designer/Toaster Tech @ Passinwind Electronics
They'll just use triggers and some wonky synth patch anyway, if they're anything like some of my "colleagues."
- Apr 20, 2009
- 2,618
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- Endorsements: your name could be here, Mr. Sadowsky!
The Broughton H/LPF boost seems to makes a clear difference at 40 Hz HPF/max LPF at 0dB when through the cabinet, but doesn't make an audible difference with the in-ear setup (Sennheiser G4 w/Shure SE315 in-ear headphones). This was what I expected, the in-ear system has some kind of HPF built-in, and the benefits of the HPF are seen more in eliminating boominess in the cabinet and providing overhead in the amp.
- Apr 20, 2009
- 2,618
- 4,664
- Disclosures
- Endorsements: your name could be here, Mr. Sadowsky!
Or switch to EDM, if you can't beat them, join them!
Wise(b)ass
That's an even worse idea than me playing guitar.
@40Hz
Yep. Each use case is different. With me it was an issue with an SWR-400 head which is more like a reference amp than your regular instrument amp.
It can go down to ridiculously low frequencies. Well below what most cabs can reproduce.
So it runs hot and sounds muddy pushing useless low frequencies. But if you put a quality HPF in the effects loop so it’s between the preamp and power stage, and cut everything below 40-60Hz depending on your cab, it suddenly runs cooler and sounds a whole lot better. Almost like it’s a completely different amp.
I bought my (Broughton) HPF before the always-on version came out. But mine is always on just the same.
Cool tools.
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