HPF/Parametric EQ/Boomy Room

There is absolutely no problem using an HPF with the Empress. It's actually a great combination.

The HPF is a different type of EQ from the Empress. When using an Adjustable HPF you can dial out the mud frequencies that cause problems with your tone and put unnecessary stress on the speakers.

And as you state the sound changes from room to room and that unfortunately has to be dealt with on an individual basis and there's no one formula that addresses the problem. It's one of those things that requires trial and error, and experience.

I don't use a dedicated LPF but I can't imagine how that would enhance the upper frequencies.

One possible approach is to attenuate other frequencies that may interfere with the perception of the higher frequencies.

One common technique used by audio pros is to dial down one frequency in order to enhance another frequency or frequencies. Rather than boosting a frequency which is what most of us do.

 

Yes, why not? Yes, it can be run together. No, it does not need to be used separately.

What exactly do you mean by "this"? HPF can help you with lows...it will not help with other problematic frequencies..

Yes, that can happen. No, neither HPF not LPF will help with that...in general.

Yes, sound is different in different rooms. There are tools which might help you with this: parameric EQ (you already have one), graphic EQ, notch filter, HPF, LPF.

You can use any of these in order to overcome the acoustic differences of different stages.

My take on this: get used to it. Bass sounds different in different environments-that's the way it is. I have actually learnt to enjoy the variedness (to some extent) and stoped hunting the "bedroom sound" while ago.

 

If it is the boom you want to deal with, then get HPF by all means.

Broughton or FDeck are probably the most favourite ones.

Good luck and let us know what you think once you had a chance to try it.

 

As others have stated there is no problem using a HPF with any type of EQ and some good reasons to have that tool handy when dealing with troublesome venues. You may also like how the HPF can be used to enhance the tone shaping options with your current EQ capabilities, even if the venue is not acoustically challenging.

 

I've used either the HPF on the Radial PZed-Pre or Fdeck in conjunction with Empress' ParaEQ on my board for a few years, though lately I'm trying a minimalist FDeck & Tuner arrangement.


Different rooms have different hotspots and frequency points, but I've also experienced at a residency gig a great sound one week, go back the next week with the same settings dialled in and had horrible sound... different barometric pressure, different humidity levels, different ambient noise levels from the audience from one week to the next...

Good sound always seems to be a moving target, so best arm yourself to the teeth... if a graphic machine gun doesn't help, try a para-EQ RPG...

 

I was thinking about this (part of this, the different note/volume part, as I use a B'ton HPF) during a gig last weekend - I was thinking I wasn't hearing certain notes because of dead spots on the neck.

 

"A fix" does exist, but it will vary from room to room, there isn't "the one" fix.
So go ahead, try, and gain experience! That's how you evolve from a good bassist to a good gigging bassist.