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Is there an Argument AGAINST High Pass Filters?

#41
RoadRanger said:
Go to their website, they are digital with the more needed controls on knobs and many more tweaks available if you connect them to an app. You can even load in any of the presets from any of the three modulation pedals into any other so you can use the three position switch on it to switch from a chorus to a phaser to a flanger for instance :).

The HPF setting is in the app, you'd normally set it once for your cab's protection - but as discussed above you really need it on a knob if you want to tune your rig to an unfriendly room :( . I do carry an iPad for charts so could tweak it at a gig...

I'd love to see them come out with a MultiFX - I'm sure it would bury the Zoom I'm using now :) . What I'd want might be too hard for the average person to set up though - definitely would want assignable knobs for instance. I'm presently hatin' on the Zoom for not having a master input gain (to set it for different basses) and a dedicated output volume knob.

Actually this inspired me to go through my B1on patches and add in the AcBsPre to each for its HPF. Not super friendly but it works :) .
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Ah! Never mind then. I'm not messing with something that requires me to have my phone or tablet around. I'm a computer tech, so I'm not afraid of technology, but when I'm on stage I want knobs. Computer tech is fragile and unreliable in a live setting.
 
#42
Interesting for this thread to pop up now, as today I received my custom-built HPF (my daughter sent me a picture of it, I haven't arrived home yet). I had the maker put a variable freq sweep knob, so that I can find the sweet spot that works for my 4-string, 5-string and my different cabs. At least I know it looks cool:

0oi7xMR.jpg


I made a thread shortly before I ordered it, asking for ideas for the name: Custom HPF pedal name ideas? | TalkBass.com
 
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#43
bongomania said:
I'm pretty sure I recall the Genz rep saying all their modern amps have hpf built in; they will definitely let you know for sure when you ask to confirm.
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I know usually when someone starts a sentence with "I'm not an electrical engineer but-" they are about to say something stupid.
However, even though I'm not an electrical engineer if I understand this properly (and I may not) the EQ knobs on a head are technically a HPF and LPF of sorts. According to the manual for the Shuttle 9.0 the Low control has a 80hz shelf with a 15db cut and boost. Now, if that means everything below 80hz is going to be cut when I turn this down, that would mean my Low control is effectively doing the same thing as a out board HPF.
Does that make this entire conversation moot? Is a FDeck or Thumpinator the same as just turning your Low down?
 
#44
FerK said:
Interesting for this thread to pop up now, as today I received my custom-built HPF (my daughter sent me a picture of it, I haven't arrived home yet). I had the maker put a variable freq sweep knob, so that I can find the sweet spot that works for my 4-string, 5-string and my different cabs. At least I know it looks cool:

0oi7xMR.jpg


I made a thread shortly before I ordered it, asking for ideas for the name: Custom HPF pedal name ideas? | TalkBass.com
Click to expand...

Let me know how it sounds!!
 
#45
socialleper said:
I know usually when someone starts a sentence with "I'm not an electrical engineer but-"
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socialleper said:
Let me know how it sounds!!
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I'm not an electrical engineer, but I want to believe that it will sound just the same as without it, not affect the tone at all, but cut back the speakers excursion, relieve some clipping from my head, and last but not least (OK, maybe least) look pretty cool on my board.

On a more serious note, I say that I hope it doesn't affect the sound at all because even though you will completely lose all fundamentals below 50hz (basically everything below G#1 when tuned 440) at a standard 24dB/oct slope, our brain will fill in the gaps based on the existing harmonics that do pass the HPF (a fairly clear technical explanation in Wikipedia: Missing fundamental - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).

Whether the pedal will color my tone or not...again, I hope it won't. Will report back later tonight.
 
#46
I think @rsmith601 juat definitely sold me on a One series pedal since it also covers my HPF needs. Does one of the other bands also cover LPF territory so that distortion through a DI doesn't sound like canned bees?
 
#48
socialleper said:
I know usually when someone starts a sentence with "I'm not an electrical engineer but-" they are about to say something stupid.
However, even though I'm not an electrical engineer if I understand this properly (and I may not) the EQ knobs on a head are technically a HPF and LPF of sorts. According to the manual for the Shuttle 9.0 the Low control has a 80hz shelf with a 15db cut and boost. Now, if that means everything below 80hz is going to be cut when I turn this down, that would mean my Low control is effectively doing the same thing as a out board HPF.
Does that make this entire conversation moot? Is a FDeck or Thumpinator the same as just turning your Low down?
Click to expand...
No. The difference is in the slope. The EQ knobs control a shallow slope, so when you turn them all the way down, you are also turning down a large amount of the signal above or below the nominal frequency of the knob. With hpfs like the ones we're talking about, they have a very steep slope, so they only cut off the desired range.
 
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#51
FerK said:
To add to bongomania's point, the usual slope is -24dB/octave
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I've seen HPF's anywhere from 6 dB/octave and up. For instance the Presonus digital mixer was only 6 dB/octave for a couple years :dead: - I think they finally upgraded that. The LPF in the Peavey TVX cabs is only 6 dB/octave and still quite effective at doing the "wet blanket over the cab" sound unless neutered ;) .
 
#52
RoadRanger said:
I've seen HPF's anywhere from 6 dB/octave and up. For instance the Presonus digital mixer was only 6 dB/octave for a couple years :dead: - I think they finally upgraded that. The LPF in the Peavey TVX cabs is only 6 dB/octave and still quite effective at doing the "wet blanket over the cab" sound unless neutered ;) .
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Yeah, maybe I should mention that this is what I read in a few sources: fdeck has a 24dB/oct below 35Hz (it's 12dB/oct fixed, plus an additional 12dB/oct with an adjustable freq. point from 35Hz / 140 Hz). And the maker of my custom pedal also mentioned that 24dB/oct is a fairly common slope.
 
#55
About three years ago, I mixed my band's demo tracks. Being the sonic genius that I am :thumbsup:, I was able to EQ a lot of nice definition and clarity amongst the bass, keys and kick drum…and being the dumb guy that I am, I didn't use any sort of high pass filtering on either the kick or bass :rollno:.

Reading this thread, I decided to go back into the masters last night and do some quick HPF work to see what it would do to the tracks. I COULD NOT BELIEVE THE IMPROVEMENT. Punchier, fatter, more definition, no indistinguishable mud in sight, just a remarkable change.

I will definitely be adding an HPF to my effects rig as soon as possible as the benefits cannot be disputed.

Lonnybass
 
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#56
rsmith601 said:
It is a 2nd order filer. 40 dB/decade. 12 dB/Octave.
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I'd be not calling that a "brick wall" filter unless you want all the EE's on here having a good laugh on yah ;) . Generally a decent channel strip's HPF is at least 18 dB/octave. 12 dB/octave is just OK. My somewhat low end Mackie DL1608 mixer has 18 dB/octave ones for instance.
 
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#58
RoadRanger said:
I'd be not calling that a "brick wall" filter unless you want all the EE's on here having a good laugh on yah ;) . Generally a decent channel strip's HPF is at least 18 dB/octave. 12 dB/octave is just OK. My somewhat low end Mackie DL1608 mixer has 18 dB/octave ones for instance.
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Could not agree more. I had originally thought it was a 3 pole, but checked yesterday just to be sure that I was giving the correct answer. Yes, I was a bit embarrassed with the brick wall characterization. (yes, I am BSEE). Still, it is useful. Sorry about that!
 
#59
A too-high HPF can create havoc with some ported bass cabs like the Acme. Ideally, I like to use 30 hz which is now an option on the newer DriveCore power amps.

LR 24 is almost a standard default on some crossovers. For our PA subs, I use a BW 18 HPF set @ 40-45 hz which was suggested to me some years back. Not sure why it works but I've been pleased with the results.

Riis
 
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