Parametric EQ and dealing with 300-400Hz

Discussion in 'Amps, Mics & Pickups [DB]' started by callus, Jun 23, 2008.

  1. callus

    callus

    Mar 2, 2005
    I've got my double using a Realist at the moment.
    After recording direct to analyse the sound that is coming out of the pickup i found that when cutting at around 336Hz I start to get a nice warm sound.
    Does anyone have any ideas for anything that might help me pull this freq. I could get a really good parametric eq but that would cost about $2000AUS so would rather get something a bit cheaper.
    something like the PQ-3B Bass Parametric Equalizer or the Fishman Dual Parametric EQ would be perfect but of course they are really hard to find now that they aren't made any more.
    The fishman pro eq is highly recommended but that doesn't deal with any freq's between 300-400hz. the Boss bass eq also doesn't go anywhere near it. i don't understand why all the equalisers that i've tried or researched don't deal with the 300's when i find it to often be the range that i need to cut in.
    any idea's?
     
  2. What amp are you using? (your profile is empty...)

    Regards,
    François
     
  3. callus

    callus

    Mar 2, 2005
    I'm using an AMPEG BA500 combo. It is supplied by the company that I am touring this show for
     
  4. Ric Vice

    Ric Vice Supporting Member

    Jul 2, 2005
    Olivette, Missouri
    Having this specific a frequency range for the Realist is pretty valuable, unless it would be different on each individual bass you install it on. Hard to tell.

    That frequency range is pretty far down in the low end isn't it.? The Realist may be designed to emphasize that particular frequency range.
    It's just possible that you have discovered something that the market isn't driven to produce a product for. Obviously, Recording Studios and Large PA systems have the ability to get at those frequencies, but the a great many of the EQ boxes are built for guitar, so I doubt that they would allow you cut things that are that low in the spectrum. This is important information so keep us in the loop if you find a box that works for this particular problem.

    Ric
     
  5. callus

    callus

    Mar 2, 2005
    Hi Ric. It's not too low down. In fact the Boss Guitar eq deals better with that range, which i was thinking about trying. Anyways will keep searching around and will keep you posted on how i go. i also might try a different pickup at some point. I've my old fishman pickup but that sounds horrilble
     
  6. Mike Arnopol

    Mike Arnopol Inactive Supporting Member Commercial User

    Jan 4, 2005
    Chicago
    Owner of MAS Soundworks
    Presonus makes one that has 3 bands of fully parametric for about $100 USD. I use the Fishman Dual Parametric and really like it. I just kept watching Ebay and finally found one.
     
  7. Ric Vice

    Ric Vice Supporting Member

    Jul 2, 2005
    Olivette, Missouri
    Actually, I forgot that I once had a Boss Bass EQ. It will get at some of those frequencies, at least I think it will, but I don't recall that it was particularly discrete at controlling them. Here's the info

    http://www.bossus.com/gear/productdetails.php?ProductId=153&ParentId=117

    I do remember that the ac adaptor that Boss makes is pretty noisy. You have to use a 9 volt to have a quiet EQ. The Pre Sonus may be much better.

    Ric
     
  8. callus

    callus

    Mar 2, 2005
    I tried the presonus one, but it cuts the the input gain by -12bd which i didn't like. couldn't get enough volume out of it.
     
  9. Bob Gollihur

    Bob Gollihur GollihurMusic.com In Memoriam

    Mar 22, 2000
    Cape of New Jersey
    Big Cheese Emeritus: Gollihur Music (retired)
    DTAR makes a three band unit, the Equinox. Not cheap, but very good.

    Disclaimer: I sell 'em.
     
  10. MR PC

    MR PC Inactive

    Dec 1, 2007
    T.C. Electronic Dual Parametric EQ floor pedal. "Studio" quality. No longer made, and usually expensive if you can find one, but not always.

    I've been using mine for almost twenty years without a problem.

    Extremely quiet, runs on a single 9v batt, or 9 to 27v power supply. Sometimes I run mine at 18v.

    Closest thing I've seen to it is the Fishman Dual Parametric, though I've never tried one. If the T.C. went down, the Fishman would be my first call.

    The D-Tar stuff is wonderful, probably the best, but you have to use a power supply with 'em.

    Good luck!
     
  11. shwashwa

    shwashwa

    Aug 30, 2003
    NJ
    i own 2 boxes with a sweepable mid that both cover that frequency range with the mid sweep. the sansamp para driver, and the radial tonebone pz pre. both are nice units. the pz pre is also a 2 channel blender with a high pass filter, so i've been using it more lately, but both sound nice, both are designed for high impdeance piezo pickups, and both will cover that range.
     
  12. callus

    callus

    Mar 2, 2005
    great thanks all. this has helped extremely
     
  13. stingray69

    stingray69 Talkbass Legit

    Aug 11, 2004
    St Louis Area
    Less expensive rack mount parametrics I can think of are:

    Behringer Ultra-Q Pro (PEQ 2200): 5 bands of fully parametric EQ, these usually go for about $40 to $50US on E-Bay. I checked, there are actually 3 on there right now.

    Nady Nady PEQ-5B - Same features as the Behringer (and both allow you to quickly A/B your changes by turning each of the 5 bands ON/OFF with the push of a button - a very nice feature). These go for $100US brand new.

    The Behringers are no longer made. I have one however, that has been going strong for at least 15 years. The Nady is still in production & looks to offer the exact same features. Hope this helps.
     
  14. callus

    callus

    Mar 2, 2005

    Well, I just ordered a Dtar Equinox. I can get it delivered here in Australia in two days and got it cheap because it was a display model. I think that it should do the job nicely. I'll still be looking around for a T.C. Electronic Dual Parametric EQ as well as it looks pretty cool and like that it works on battery as well as power supply.
    thanks again for all you help
     
  15. Happy Steve

    Happy Steve Supporting Member

    I have a Behringer PEQ2200 parametric, and it usually has far more capabilities than I need (hi and lo pass, 5 bands). Very easy to knock any peaks out like the one you describe. I often use it around 180Hz to tame a bit of boominess. It usually only requires between 3 to 6 dB to make all the difference.

    I have tried out a Behringer ADI21 DI Box, which has tone controls and an adjustable notch filter - it is smaller than the PEQ, and runs on 9V or a power pack. This might be more convenient than the PEQ2200 rack-size box and mains power. The downside is the notch is not adjustable for bandwidth.
     
  16. Eric Hochberg

    Eric Hochberg Supporting Member

    Jul 7, 2004
    Chicago
    Thanks for the tip, Mike. The Workingman's 12 eq section at "you know where" just hasn't been cutting it for me. Got a Fishman DP on Ebay and used it last night. It helps.
     
  17. TimmyP

    TimmyP

    Nov 4, 2003
    Indianapolis, IN
    The Equinox has a very high input impedance, which should work great.

    Most units are made for line level use and have an input impedance of 20K at most. This would be death for any peizo pickup.