If HPF’s are such a trendy thing now...

[BlueRock]

Yes but a High Pass Filter works in a different way to active EQ controls which can boost or cut a particular frequency and a defined selection of frequencies either side of the chosen centre frequency. An HPF only reduces the level of those frequencies lower than the chosen frequency, it won't ever boost low frequencies.

C'mon man, of course HPF is different from boost/cut of a centre frequency with preset Q. EQ is a broad term that includes different types of filtering...and High Pass Filtering is a type of EQ.

 

[Sparky Mark]

C'mon man, of course HPF is different from boost/cut of a centre frequency with preset Q. EQ is a broad term that includes different types of filtering...and High Pass Filtering is a type of EQ.

Agreed and no offence intended.

 

[agedhorse]

C'mon man, of course HPF is different from boost/cut of a centre frequency with preset Q. EQ is a broad term that includes different types of filtering...and High Pass Filtering is a type of EQ.

Yes and no. Colloquial use of the term "equalization" generally implies cut and boost, as well as including variable shelving and peak-dip filters. HPF's, LPF,s and various voicing filters are generally not considered "equalization", though they could be if the generally accepted meaning of the term was to change.

 

[butterfingers1]

If I had to choose, I would trade much of the eq section for 1 hpf dial. No kidding. A lot of eq fiddling is to overcome muddle.

 

[beans-on-toast]

The HPF really is a game changing innovation. A simple concept that has ripples that extend indifferent directions.

A HPF, also called a low cut filer (easier for me to remember), helps you to dial in your amp. Low frequencies are very expensive to faithfully reproduce, they require the most wattage. By using a HPF, your available power can be used more efficiently in reproducing higher frequencies. That translates into a louder amp. It also helps protect your speaker system and your hearing from over excursion. A win-win situation.

But wait, there's more. In a band context, it helps clear up mud. It can help separate overlapping instruments such as a kick drum or keyboards. The end result is a cleaner mix and a LOUDER sounding bass in the mix.

All this from taking away low end.

 

[BlueRock]

Agreed and no offence intended.

None taken.

 

[TheBass]

A frequency adjustable high pass would be a nice thing. I would like that very well on the amp. I would also like a controllable low pass with resonance boost, similar to the Alembic SF-2. Add a fully parametric midband and you would have a first-class EQ. Unfortunately, no manufacturer builds such a thing.

 

[butterfingers1]

I would argue high pass filtering is not another feature, it's a proper basic functioning, like inflated tires.

 

[shwashwa]

A frequency adjustable high pass would be a nice thing. I would like that very well on the amp. I would also like a controllable low pass with resonance boost, similar to the Alembic SF-2. Add a fully parametric midband and you would have a first-class EQ. Unfortunately, no manufacturer builds such a thing.

2 of these one for mid, one for lpf.

Long Life

or this:
https://www.broughtonaudio.com/product-page/resonant-filter-equalizer

or this for mids.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

i actually have all 3. they're all great. i also have an hpf pedal

 

[TheBass]

or this:
https://www.broughtonaudio.com/product-page/resonant-filter-equalizer

Add a bandwidth (or Q) control for the mids and put in a bass amp. That would be great.

 

[shwashwa]

Add a bandwidth (or Q) control for the mids and put in a bass amp. That would be great.

the fairfield pedals gives you everything you want, but you would need 2

 

[daveman50]

The HPF really is a game changing innovation. A simple concept that has ripples that extend indifferent directions.

A HPF, also called a low cut filer (easier for me to remember), helps you to dial in your amp. Low frequencies are very expensive to faithfully reproduce, they require the most wattage. By using a HPF, your available power can be used more efficiently in reproducing higher frequencies. That translates into a louder amp. It also helps protect your speaker system and your hearing from over excursion. A win-win situation.

But wait, there's more. In a band context, it helps clear up mud. It can help separate overlapping instruments such as a kick drum or keyboards. The end result is a cleaner mix and a LOUDER sounding bass in the mix.

All this from taking away low end.

Long ago, someone told me to cut the bass on my amp to sound better at a gig. I mean, LONG ago... the Seventies. It was the best single piece of advice about live sound I ever got.

 

[BlueRock]

I would argue high pass filtering is not another feature, it's a proper basic functioning, like inflated tires.

It is for me.

 

[agedhorse]

Add a bandwidth (or Q) control for the mids and put in a bass amp. That would be great.

I actually considered this and built up a prototype, BUT it was so poorly received (for being unfamiliar and confusing to 95% of the players) that it ended up on the shelves of shame, never to see the light of day.

 

[Passinwind]

A frequency adjustable high pass would be a nice thing. I would like that very well on the amp. I would also like a controllable low pass with resonance boost, similar to the Alembic SF-2. Add a fully parametric midband and you would have a first-class EQ. Unfortunately, no manufacturer builds such a thing.

Open source/non commercial, DIY only:

Already have a board built up with a one band full parametric midrange control rather than switched mid frequencies, but there's already so much control interactivity with the above format that I'm pretty leery of pushing the full PEQ format.

 

[pepj]

More luck on the way. With a high pass filter you probably won't need to turn the Bass down ever again. In fact you can turn it up, a silly idea two days ago.

So, I'd add bass and then filter it out, or filter it out under a certain frequency and then turn it up.

Why would I want or even need to do that. I don't.
I dont even want an enhance type button or control and I certainly dont want to have to do anything with the amp at all bar a level set at the vast majority of gigs, even if I rotate amps and cabs.

 

[pepj]

Plug into a power amp with no EQ of any kind and there are all kinds of frequencies that don't sound good at un-EQ's levels with a bass guitar.
You need EQ to sound good.
A HPF is just a type of EQ some engineer nerds came up with years ago.
Simply put: EQ good. No EQ bad. HPF is EQ...that happens to be very useful with the bass guitar and double bass.

I think one of my first posts on this was that I didnt like tone effect and had to switch both filters off or dial them back so much...there isnt an off option as such.
So yep, I think you need a quality amp with simple controls and go from there.
Giving bass players too many knobs just confuses them, ime.
If I had a dollar for the amount of SVT3 guys that ask how to get a good sound...!!!

 

[ardgedee]

I actually considered this and built up a prototype, BUT it was so poorly received (for being unfamiliar and confusing to 95% of the players) that it ended up on the shelves of shame, never to see the light of day.

As they say, design is the process of realizing what to leave out.

Add a bandwidth (or Q) control for the mids and put in a bass amp. That would be great.

Empress is taking orders for a deluxe three band full parametric EQ with hi/low pass and shelving filters. No resonance filters but I'd bet you could fake it. Fair warning it has a lot of knobs.

 

[Slevage]

Mostly cost.

Also, the end user had less knowledge as to what it took to get a
"Good" sound.

More bass was generally considered better, no matter what the instrument
being amplified.

 

[butterfingers1]

@pepj, you raise excellent points, and I agree with you about knobs and effects. I have little use for these. I'm a plug-and-play guy, eq noon, tweeter on, tone open, passive precision bass. I only roll off the tone a little sometimes. I play guitar, not knobs. I used to find the theory of high pass filtering interesting to read about, but sceptical as to its real life value.

Whatever the theory behind this, the dramatic improvement in audibility and quality is undeniable. The filtered low frequencies are inaudible and they burden the amplifier and prevent the speakers from working properly. Maybe not an accurate analogy, but I see it like trying to function wearing a hundred-pound straightjacket.

I'm not sure why you add Bass to begin with. But with HPF you might not need or want to, volume will be boosted, but more importantly so will CLEAN bass, and clean articulate audible everything else. If you do add Bass, it will be clean clear audible and won't muddle the rest.
HPF doesn't reduce low end, on the contrary it boosts and clarifies AUDIBLE lows.

This inexpensive device may have cured my GAS. It's not the guitars nor the amplifiers, it's the junk low frequencies stupid (talking to myself here ).