Knobs or Sliders?

[mpdd]

i can easily remember the slider shape, the knobs if they're more than 3 or 4 i always pray nobody moves them

 

[Cat-A-Tonic]

Sliders look better for certain functions.
Fore example:
Graphic EQ - sliders
Parametric EQ - knobs

Knobs are much easier to make DIY panels for.

I don't know of any sealed sliders.
Sealed pots rule.

 

[mb94952]

Pretty self explanatory, do you prefer an eq with knobs or sliders and why? I recently picked up a peavey firebass 700, I love the way is sounds and how solid it feels coming from a crate bx-100 combo, but I don't like the knob-based eq. I feel like sliders gives me a better visual representation of my settings.

Aw man, the Peavey Firebass 700 is such a kick butt amp !!! Congrats !! I LOVE the tone of those. My Peavey Cirrus through a Firebass 700 was tone heaven and I got a ton of compliments on the tone. I DO like the knobs and the simplicity of them. The contour knob is amazing.

 

[friendlybass]

Always had knobs, I think in knobs, so uh I guess knobs?

 

[DieterVDW]

Knobs aren't as susceptible to chicken fat and beer spills like sliders.
Wide open slots are havens for lost food particles, toenail clippings and and hair balls.

Big big plus to this!
Pots are sealed, no chance for dust/dirt buildup.
Sliders (especially on stomp boxes, ie. 'flat' orientation) are just little buckets waiting to be filled with dust and dirt, causing pops and cracks when using the sliders.
I hope they kind of took that into account while designing it, and made it self-cleaning or smth ...

But for example the sliders on my EHX Micro Bass Synth were already feeling grindy after only a few weeks :| . Not a fan!

 

[Lo-E]

It all works. Just give me the frequency bands I like and it could be a slider, knob, touch screen or belt encoder for all I care. As long as it sounds okay.
FWIW, I'm often okay with bass/mid/treble, provided the bands are in useful places, but much prefer bass/low mid/high mid/treble. That said, I don't feel restricted in any way by my simple B-15.

 

[brianrost]

I feel like sliders gives me a better visual representation of my settings.

They do, but all that matters is how it sounds. EQing with your eyes is a waste of time.

 

[backin82]

They do, but all that matters is how it sounds. EQing with your eyes is a waste of time.

People have been doing it for years with the desired results. I've seen many lessons and gear reviews where people make EQ shapes that correlate to a certain style or sound in order to graphically depict scooping mids, cutting lows, etc.......... Sure, if you ONLY EQ'd with your eyes, then it *could* be a waste of time, but there are (hopefully) not many bass players who do that regularly, and many times they make GEq shapes and it actually works. I'm not sure why there are so many people on here that are so against them.

 

[J Posega]

If the EQ points each control centers on are good choices, then I couldn't be bothered, so long as I can find my sound.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Sliders give a quicker visual check, but knobs are easier to finely adjust. I have an old Boss RPQ 10, probably the only parametric with sliders. But it's tough to adjust with precision.

 

[nysbob]

You say po-tay-toh, and I say po-tah-toh....

 

[Linnin]

Both. Knobs on the amp head. Sliders on my Whirlwind Bass Ten GEQ. And I also like Knob Creek with pulled pork sliders.

 

[hsech]

Knobs are more solid IMO. Sliders can lose their plastic tips and get noisy easier than knobs. Once again IMO. No argument against those that prefer sliders.

 

[Jim Nazium]

Mmmm, sliders

...

 

[Nephilymbass]

i tend to play with everything pretty flat. So I don't feel like sliders are needed. Onboard eq on my stingray is normally everything wide open, on my sans amp I have a little lows and mids boosted but we're talking like 1 o'clock barely boosted. I also use a sonic maximizer specifically to control 50hz. For me it's very very rare that I adjust my eq at all. With the exception of the stingray which is a new addition my entire setup has been the same for years now. Im more about getting my tone from my fingers

 

[will33]

Sliders are better for drawing pictures.

 

[DavC]

they both do the same thing ..

sliders are easier to help visualize things ...

knobs/para EQs take a little more imagination ...

 

[blowinblue]

As I've said before, I'd rather be slapped repeatedly about the face, head, and neck with a dead rabbit than have an amp with graphic EQ (or sliders). I prefer knobs with hard to read markings. It encourages me to set EQ with my...ears.

M. M.

 

[Jay2U]

Knobs are compact and rigid. Slides give more overview. For me the balance tips over to the side of the slides. I tend to set an eq by listening without looking at the slides. If it's to my liking, I make notes of each setting.

 

[bassliner50]

Sliders are harder to replace or even maintain when they eventually fail. Knobs, (potentiometers) are ubiquitous, easier to replace and have a longer life. I prefer knobs. Chicken head knobs are my faves. Sliders are faddish and silly. I'm done.