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

[GrapeBass]

Hi Passinwind

Thought the same thing!

btw. My math teacher at university told us:

"Do not to trust any statistics, that you didn' t fake yourself."

greetings

Wise(b)ass

98% of statistics are made up

 

[agedhorse]

The correct answer is "it depends"

 

[dabis]

The correct answer is "it depends"

I think you finally surrender on that battle, although you explained accurately where and why place the filters.

 

[Stumbo]

I just bought a used CN212 and took it on two gigs paired with my Streamliner. My experience was the same – I was shocked to be dialing the “bass” control down as far as 8 o’clock to control the “bloomy” or “squishy” bottom end in this combination...

Have you tried a hpf? I find they are very helpful with ported cabs.

I do have an [sfx] MicroThumpinator but I hadn’t had it on the pedalboard in a while. Interesting thing to try, thanks for the idea!

If the MicroThumpinator doesn't thin out your sound enough, try an adjustable HPF.

 

[Zbysek]

Did you poll them on whether they preferred a pre-EQ DI feed as well, by any chance?

Not this time, but I did in February. The results were: 5 per cent pre EQ, 33 per cent post EQ, 61 per cent didn't care (mostly formulated as "whichever sounds better"). 77 sound techs participated. I was surprised by those 33 per cent who preferred post EQ...I expected much lower number.

 

[Zbysek]

If you're using a DI box before your amp, as opposed to a DI out on your amp, you can use to compensate for stage acoustics and still send it to the PA board without the filter. This would mean, if you're using any other outboard effects, that they would be placed prior to the DI box.View attachment 3168177

Correct. I would need to place the HPF between the DI and the amp then.

 

[dabis]

Not this time, but I did in February. The results were: 5 per cent pre EQ, 33 per cent post EQ, 61 per cent didn't care (mostly formulated as "whichever sounds better"). 77 sound techs participated. I was surprised by those 33 per cent who preferred post EQ...I expected much lower number.

Related to this - I used to send to the board post-EQ from the DI-out of my Aguilar TH-350, but techs always complained about the lows, etc... so I actually send them the signal pre and say to them "do with my signal whatever you need/want". Fair to say that I usually force the lows from bass (Stingray 4, 40Hz centered pot) and from the head (40Hz centered too), so for sure post -EQ has a lot of lows.

Probably the HPF will help from now to wash the signal that I'm sending to the board.

 

[dabis]

If you're using a DI box before your amp, as opposed to a DI out on your amp, you can use to compensate for stage acoustics and still send it to the PA board without the filter. This would mean, if you're using any other outboard effects, that they would be placed prior to the DI box. Maybe a good question is, where is the best place to insert HPFs and LPFs?

I plug my bass directly into an always on HPF before my tone altering pedals and have a combo HPF/LPF at the end. I try to set them minimally and roll 'em back when they become audible.

View attachment 3168177

Hi @GrapeBass ! I'm curious about how affects if you engage the "Ultra-hi" and/or "Ultra-low"" switches on the Ampeg pedal. Does the HPF/LPF diminishes these features?

 

[Zbysek]

so I actually send them the signal pre and say to them "do with my signal whatever you need/want".

That's been my approach for years...and I remember no complaints from the sound guys...

 

[agedhorse]

Not this time, but I did in February. The results were: 5 per cent pre EQ, 33 per cent post EQ, 61 per cent didn't care (mostly formulated as "whichever sounds better"). 77 sound techs participated. I was surprised by those 33 per cent who preferred post EQ...I expected much lower number.

Being in the touring audio world, for the past 35+ years, I am suspicious of the numbers in your poll based on what I have seen. I would expect over 50% to be in the pre-eq camp.

Was this a recording page?

 

[Mushroo]

Maybe a good question is, where is the best place to insert HPFs and LPFs?

My favorite spot for HPF is before my overdrive/dirt pedals. I find HPF makes the overdrive effect more consistent across the range of the instrument; it doesn't fart out on the low notes.

 

[Zbysek]

Being in the touring audio world, for the past 35+ years, I am suspicious of the numbers in your poll based on what I have seen. I would expect over 50% to be in the pre-eq camp.

Was this a recording page?

No, it was a general group labelled "sound technicians" (in our language). I would expect the same as you....or even higher. I have a suspicion that most of the techs who voted "do not care" would in reality end up either asking the bass player to switch the toggle to pre mode or would come to the stage with the DI brick during the sound check...especially considering that some players (incl. me) like to change the EQ during the show...

 

[GrapeBass]

No, it was a general group labelled "sound technicians" (in our language). I would expect the same as you....or even higher. I have a suspicion that most of the techs who voted "do not care" would in reality end up either asking the bass player to switch the toggle to pre mode or would come to the stage with the DI brick during the sound check...especially considering that some players (incl. me) like to change the EQ during the show...

I would think it's more of an issue about the levels sent to the board. If the level of the signal's consistent than I'd think the engineer can deal with it (unless the eq'ing is really wacked - LOL).

 

[agedhorse]

My favorite spot for HPF is before my overdrive/dirt pedals. I find HPF makes the overdrive effect more consistent across the range of the instrument; it doesn't fart out on the low notes.

This is one of the applications for overdrive applications, and is included on some of the better overdrive pedals.

No, it was a general group labelled "sound technicians" (in our language). I would expect the same as you....or even higher. I have a suspicion that most of the techs who voted "do not care" would in reality end up either asking the bass player to switch the toggle to pre mode or would come to the stage with the DI brick during the sound check...especially considering that some players (incl. me) like to change the EQ during the show...

Maybe things are different over there. My neighbor is from Czech Republic, maybe I can go ask him

I would think it's more of an issue about the levels sent to the board. If the level of the signal's consistent than I'd think the engineer can deal with it (unless the eq'ing is really wacked - LOL).

Eq'ing for a stage sound from a bass rig is often at serious odds to what a FOH engineer would want to (or even be able to) deal with in a real PA. 2 different reproduction mediums in entirely different environments.

 

[GrapeBass]

Eq'ing for a stage sound from a bass rig is often at serious odds to what a FOH engineer would want to (or even be able to) deal with in a real PA. 2 different reproduction mediums in entirely different environments.[/QUOTE]

Of course, assuming the FOH is being run with a good rig. Having the option is nice, and asking the engineer what he wants/needs is good as well. My rig typically has a built in DI with a selectable pad, pre/post and gnd lift options. Some don't even consider the rig's eq but others like to try it. If they find it too 'anything' it can be switched easily enough. Most engineers are okay with what I send 'em but others like it raw. I leave it up to the discretion of the engineer. Of course some engineers have their own DIs already to go... whatever works. (y)

 

[Stumbo]

... so I actually send them the signal pre and say to them "do with my signal whatever you need/want".

That's not what @JimmyM says!

 

[dabis]

That's not what @JimmyM says!

ahahahaha yeah I had read all that thread (don't remember what was) some months ago about mic'in or not, pre/post where @JimmyM explained and discuss how and why he's setting on stage. At the end, my position is avoid any kind of confrontation on the venue, with techs, owners, other bands an even with my band's mates! I have a few options actually to be onstage and I'm there to have fun.

EDIT: just to be accurate - my pre sound is MM SR4 HS (V, H,M,L, 5 position switch), Vong filterung pedal (HPF/LPF,...), Guma Drive pedal (B3K clone), EHX Bass Bloggger. So my signal "pre" has more than 50% of my tone

 

[JimmyM]

ahahahaha yeah I had read all that thread (don't remember what was) some months ago about mic'in or not, pre/post where @JimmyM explained and discuss how and why he's setting on stage. At the end, my position is avoid any kind of confrontation on the venue, with techs, owners, other bands an even with my band's mates! I have a few options actually to be onstage and I'm there to have fun.

Nothing wrong with that. As long as you're happy, I'm happy. But I micromanage my signal onstage for a reason. Seems to be a dying art, knowing how to mix for an oldies band

 

[Zbysek]

Eq'ing for a stage sound from a bass rig is often at serious odds to what a FOH engineer would want to (or even be able to) deal with in a real PA. 2 different reproduction mediums in entirely different environments.

Amen.

 

[Stumbo]

Eq'ing for a stage sound from a bass rig is often at serious odds to what a FOH engineer would want to (or even be able to) deal with in a real PA. 2 different reproduction mediums in entirely different environments.

Will going ampless resolve that?