NPD - Broughton Low + High Pass Filter

[Isaac_James]

I ordered one of these recently and have just now had a chance to plug it in and try it out. @Azure Skies does very nice work - the craftsmanship on this is flawless.

I got this to tame down the muddy low end and sizzly top end noise. Current settings are as shown and I think it sounds pretty good - I assume I need the HPF set around 32 for a low B string, and the gain set to where it's no louder than bypassed. Is there any advantage to setting the gain higher? I've got some room to play with.

Any other tips for getting the most out of this pedal? What frequency do folks like their LPFs set to?

 

[Riff Ranger]

I acquired the very same pedal a bit over a year ago in part to keep peace with my neighbors, but I think I might use it even when I don’t have to worry about intruding on anyone’s domestic bliss—it really just tightens everything up and lets rigs put their power into frequencies we can actually hear. The username escapes me at this time, but there is (was?) someone on here who was all about HPF and had a huge thread going that will probably turn up with a bit of searching. We’re using the same basses but shooting for different sounds; for what it’s worth, I have mine set HPF 60hz, LPF 4khz, with almost zero makeup gain.

 

[crguti]

I love my Broughton. I cut around 40Hz and 7kHz. Then I set the compressor’s HPF around 80Hz. These settings work with all kind of music IMO.

 

[Riff Ranger]

Here’s the giant thread, started by the now-seemingly-un-search-able-and-un-tag-able-and-possibly-inactive Stumbo (whose handle I had in fact remembered).

 

[Isaac_James]

Here’s the giant thread, started by the now-seemingly-un-search-able-and-un-tag-able-and-possibly-inactive Stumbo (whose handle I had in fact remembered).

Cool, looks like I have some reading to do. Thanks for the tip!

 

[Azure Skies]

I ordered one of these recently and have just now had a chance to plug it in and try it out. @Azure Skies does very nice work - the craftsmanship on this is flawless.

I got this to tame down the muddy low end and sizzly top end noise. Current settings are as shown and I think it sounds pretty good - I assume I need the HPF set around 32 for a low B string, and the gain set to where it's no louder than bypassed. Is there any advantage to setting the gain higher? I've got some room to play with.

Any other tips for getting the most out of this pedal? What frequency do folks like their LPFs set to?

View attachment 4679056

Thanks for the compliment!

Don't be fixated on keeping the HPF below the B string. You might find even better clarity set a little higher. Some people like it in 40-50 Hz range, depending on the room and the cab you are using.

For LPF, I like to actually boost my on-board treble EQ, then to cut out the ultra high frequencies, so I set the LPF at 5k. This gives some nice presence without a bunch of hiss and clank.

Gain is there if you need it. Sometimes the mixer forgets to set your level, so you can give them a helping hand

 

[Isaac_James]

Thanks for the compliment!

Don't be fixated on keeping the HPF below the B string. You might find even better clarity set a little higher. Some people like it in 40-50 Hz range, depending on the room and the cab you are using.

For LPF, I like to actually boost my on-board treble EQ, then to cut out the ultra high frequencies, so I set the LPF at 5k. This gives some nice presence without a bunch of hiss and clank.

Gain is there if you need it. Sometimes the mixer forgets to set your level, so you can give them a helping hand

Awesome. Thanks for the tips.

I do some treble boosting, both at the amplifier end as well as on the Tech 21 Bass Fly Rig (the edge of which is visible next to the pass filter). The BFR has a "bite" button which adds some top end, I'm not sure at exactly which frequencies but the manual claims it gives a "presence boost". Unfortunately it also gives a boost to the hiss from my single coils, so I'll dial in the LPF to just where those are attenuated without taking away too much snap.

One last question as I plan to use this with just a battery for now (more plugs are inconvenient and I don't use a board with a separate power supply for just two pedals) - will the battery drain if I leave cables plugged in but turn the switch off? Or can I safely leave it all hooked up without draining the battery as long as I switch it off when I'm done?

 

[Azure Skies]

Awesome. Thanks for the tips.

I do some treble boosting, both at the amplifier end as well as on the Tech 21 Bass Fly Rig (the edge of which is visible next to the pass filter). The BFR has a "bite" button which adds some top end, I'm not sure at exactly which frequencies but the manual claims it gives a "presence boost". Unfortunately it also gives a boost to the hiss from my single coils, so I'll dial in the LPF to just where those are attenuated without taking away too much snap.

One last question as I plan to use this with just a battery for now (more plugs are inconvenient and I don't use a board with a separate power supply for just two pedals) - will the battery drain if I leave cables plugged in but turn the switch off? Or can I safely leave it all hooked up without draining the battery as long as I switch it off when I'm done?

It will drain the battery if you leave cables plugged in. Remove the plug from the input jack and it won't drain the battery. Bypassing the effect does not turn off the power.

 

[Ggaa]

I ordered one of these recently and have just now had a chance to plug it in and try it out. @Azure Skies does very nice work - the craftsmanship on this is flawless.

I got this to tame down the muddy low end and sizzly top end noise. Current settings are as shown and I think it sounds pretty good - I assume I need the HPF set around 32 for a low B string, and the gain set to where it's no louder than bypassed. Is there any advantage to setting the gain higher? I've got some room to play with.

Any other tips for getting the most out of this pedal? What frequency do folks like their LPFs set to?

View attachment 4679056

I sweep the HPF knob(without looking) until it sounds good with my fiver, usually between 70-80.

 

[mmbongo]

It will drain the battery if you leave cables plugged in. Remove the plug from the input jack and it won't drain the battery. Bypassing the effect does not turn off the power.

This is true of pretty much all pedals that use a battery. And I know you know that of course, I was replying mainly for the OP’s benefit

Also I prefer to run mine at 18 V. So OP I would start planning getting a proper power supply!

 

[Riff Ranger]

Awesome. Thanks for the tips.

I do some treble boosting, both at the amplifier end as well as on the Tech 21 Bass Fly Rig (the edge of which is visible next to the pass filter). The BFR has a "bite" button which adds some top end, I'm not sure at exactly which frequencies but the manual claims it gives a "presence boost". Unfortunately it also gives a boost to the hiss from my single coils, so I'll dial in the LPF to just where those are attenuated without taking away too much snap.

One last question as I plan to use this with just a battery for now (more plugs are inconvenient and I don't use a board with a separate power supply for just two pedals) - will the battery drain if I leave cables plugged in but turn the switch off? Or can I safely leave it all hooked up without draining the battery as long as I switch it off when I'm done?

I suggest one of these and their daisy chain expansion thingy. Inexpensive, safe, one outlet solution.

 

[mobeme23]

sorry for the (possible) obvious question: where would this pedal best sit in your signal chain?
is this a right before the amp, or right after instrument pedal? or somewhere else? thx.

 

[Isaac_James]

This is true of pretty much all pedals that use a battery. And I know you know that of course, I was replying mainly for the OP’s benefit

Also I prefer to run mine at 18 V. So OP I would start planning getting a proper power supply!

Thanks. I'm new-ish to using pedals, the only other one I regularly use is the BFR which is plug-in only, so forgive my ignorance on this matter.

What's the advantage to using an 18v power supply vs the 9v I get off a battery? More headroom on the gain knob?

 

[mmbongo]

Thanks. I'm new-ish to using pedals, the only other one I regularly use is the BFR which is plug-in only, so forgive my ignorance on this matter.

What's the advantage to using an 18v power supply vs the 9v I get off a battery? More headroom on the gain knob?

Yeah more headroom, cleaner sound. It varies from pedal to pedal though so that’s not a hard fast rule. But I run some of my other Broughton pedals at 24v.

Another advantage of not using a battery that you don’t have to change the battery every day

 

[jschulman]

sorry for the (possible) obvious question: where would this pedal best sit in your signal chain?
is this a right before the amp, or right after instrument pedal? or somewhere else? thx.

I put mine all the way at the end. That way the HPF cleans up any super low end info added by other FX in my chain. Some people have great results right after the instrument though. The best thing to do is try both and see what sounds best to you.

 

[Isaac_James]

Another advantage of not using a battery that you don’t have to change the battery every day

That is a good point, and I will probably get a power supply for it at some point (a bandmate also has a big muff clone pedal with no power supply that I've been keen to try out, so I'd have done so anyway in all likelihood).

Forgive another dumb question, but how often would I really need to change out a battery if I'm careful about unplugging when I am not using it? I don't have to change the battery in my bass very often, maybe twice a year... are pedals similar?

 

[Kendescending]

I ordered one of these recently and have just now had a chance to plug it in and try it out. @Azure Skies does very nice work - the craftsmanship on this is flawless.

I got this to tame down the muddy low end and sizzly top end noise. Current settings are as shown and I think it sounds pretty good - I assume I need the HPF set around 32 for a low B string, and the gain set to where it's no louder than bypassed. Is there any advantage to setting the gain higher? I've got some room to play with.

Any other tips for getting the most out of this pedal? What frequency do folks like their LPFs set to?

View attachment 4679056

I finally had a chance to use mine as well...bought it a few months ago. My settings are almost identical to yours, and it's great at reducing the added high end sizzle from my OD pedal(s). I'm surprised how much low and low/mid that the boost adds (seems counterproductive?), but it sounds great in the mix. The boost is great with thin sounding pickups.

The one thing that threw me off was the LPF control. My brain keeps thinking that it should work in the opposite direction. Turning it clockwise reduces the amount of high end (makes sense when you think about it logically), but while using it live it seems like turning it clockwise would increase the amount of high end, much like a tone control. I'm really liking this pedal!

 

[mmbongo]

That is a good point, and I will probably get a power supply for it at some point (a bandmate also has a big muff clone pedal with no power supply that I've been keen to try out, so I'd have done so anyway in all likelihood).

Forgive another dumb question, but how often would I really need to change out a battery if I'm careful about unplugging when I am not using it? I don't have to change the battery in my bass very often, maybe twice a year... are pedals similar?

Definitely not, I get about 3 hours from a pedal battery but it can vary.

 

[Isaac_James]

Definitely not, I get about 3 hours from a pedal battery but it can vary.

Oh wow. Yeah, looks like I might be getting a power supply like the one @Riff Ranger suggested sooner rather than later.

 

[mmbongo]

Oh wow. Yeah, looks like I might be getting a power supply like the one @Riff Ranger suggested sooner rather than later.

Here's a good read:
How fast do guitar pedals drain batteries? - Wampler Pedals

And I would strongly suggest something like a Cioks DC7 isolated power supply. A One Spot is a good wall wart (well it's the best wall wart) but it's not isolated, it's current limited, and it's only 9v. It will get you started though.