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Parametric/Graphic EQ's?

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by suraci, Dec 11, 2007.

  1. Dec 11, 2007 #1
    suraci

    suraci

    Apr 11, 2005
    With all the conversations about a given amps tone controls, it causes me to wonder why more people don't go into a parametric FIRST- THEN in their amp/pre of choice.

    There must be a good reason unrelated to hassle of setup or cost. I think (guessing ) it has to do with losing something in the bargain. You gain all manner of tonal sculpting yet lose in a global, unclear ( to me ) way- could it be distortion, or loss of character of your amp, even if initial parametric ( or graphic ) is set flat?

    I am interested in SVT ( possibly ) but for me, the lack of graphic ( the original svt ) seriously limits the tonal options. I am more than a little confused by Ampegs labeling of various SVT's. Do the original SVT crowd feel their amp is superior to the SVT's with graphic eq??

    IF an EQ IS a good idea, there are more than one type ( I don't mean graphic, parametric etc ) ---- there is the eq built into the existing pre amp of your head,-- there is PA type EQ, and --- there is bass specific EQ.

    Are the bass specific EQ's ( Fishman , as the first one that came to mind ) strongly preferable to say a 600 dollar DBX for PA?

    How about the other class, studio's high dollar Manley's etc?

    Part of my above thoughts on EQ, are extrapolated from talk here about pwr amps- some are elec bass specific like Aggie and SWR , others are general pwr for PA, Crown etc.

    BTW I am into jazz, fusion... not metal, or rock. So tone/character at lower volumes is an issue for me.
    Thanks much
     
  2. Dec 11, 2007 #2
    JimmyM

    JimmyM Supporting Member

    Apr 11, 2005
    Apopka, FL
    Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
    Ideally, you want to leave your amp flat and not really need an EQ. Of course, that's not always how it works in the real world, but that's usually the goal, and it's usually the best recipe for good tone. So most amps just have 3 or 4 tone knobs because it's simply not necessary to have ultimate tonal control over every 1/4 octave of frequencies. Usually one band in each range that's optimized for bass is enough for most people. But some people want it, especially those who biamp, so you can run a separate EQ either in front of your preamp or after it in the effects loop. The choice is yours to make. Most people choose the effects loop, especially if they biamp, so they can roll off lows in one amp and roll off everything else in the other. I find this all unnecessarily complicated, so I'm a 4-knob kind of guy.
     
  3. Dec 16, 2007 #3
    suraci

    suraci

    Apr 11, 2005
    Is that all there is to it?
    Don't many of us use tone settings
    other than flat?
     
  4. Dec 16, 2007 #4
    JimmyM

    JimmyM Supporting Member

    Apr 11, 2005
    Apopka, FL
    Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
    Sure, a lot of people use settings other than flat. It's just that people like me find an outboard EQ unnecessary when all the tone shaping I need is usually contained in the amp's knobs.
     
  5. Dec 16, 2007 #5
    A9X

    A9X Inactive

    Dec 27, 2003
    Most parametrics, set flat have little to no signal gain, and with few exceptions not enough for most basses. I see no advantage in your suggestion over having one in the FX loop for example.
     
  6. Dec 16, 2007 #6
    derrico1

    derrico1 Supporting Member

    Apr 12, 2005
    Charlottesville, VA
    If I run the parametric before the pre-amp, then whatever changes I make on the parametric will also go to FOH via the post-EQ DI.

    Not what I want. YMMV, but I doubt it.

    I like to set up my pre-amps to to get the target tones via post-EQ DI. Then a parametric b/w pre and power allows me to tailor the stage sound as circumstances dictate w/o screwing up what everyone else in the venue hears in the FOH.
     
  7. Dec 16, 2007 #7
    Zooberwerx

    Zooberwerx Gold Supporting Member

    Dec 21, 2002
    Virginia Beach, VA
    I've had 3 preamps with para EQ's...an Eden CXC, Bassman 150, and Demeter HBP-1. I find them simpler and more effective than a multi-band EQ as I use them primarily to detect and cut unwanted frequencies (room resonance, bumps, mud, whatever). The culprits usually show themselves in the 40 - 800 hz range and I cut by 3 - 6 db depending on the severity. I haven't had much luck in the 1 - 4 khz, I usually just turn down the treble knob if things get a little too crisp.

    Riis
     
  8. Dec 16, 2007 #8
    suraci

    suraci

    Apr 11, 2005
    Well my original thought was eq applied to SVT.

    There are more than a few models- some with graphic, some not.

    My assumption about the ones with eq, is that they are somehow not pure SVT !!!! I assume they are "not as tube filled!!" , as the original?


    I have always wished the SVT could be molded a little more to my tastes and to room. EQ is for the room weirdness AND for sculpting, yes?

    Does mentioning the SVT help explain my questions?

    I have always almost loved the svt's. I even owned them twice in my past.
    Once again yesterday at GC, I found I was attracted to the only SVT on the floor, a Classic with no graphic.

    I am not sure if the big 8x10 cab is persuading me as much as the head- likely both, but I unfortunately will have a hard time fitting it in my sedan.

    I mostly play venues where one smaller cab is fine, YET I AM wondering about the great sound, the big sound of SVT w 8x10 for smaller venues.

    Small cabs are not the same, are they?

    All of the above : 1. added eq to an SVT head
    and 2. tp use a larger cab in a smaller venue for the "bigness of the sound

    Thanks for helping
    Thanks
     
  9. Dec 16, 2007 #9
    phat daddy

    phat daddy Guest

    Jun 16, 2006
    Tampa Bay, FL
    If I have a gig where the other guys in the band don't mind a lot of low end on stage, I'll bring a 6x10 rig for the sake of "bigness of tone". If they do mind, I bring my 2x10 combo and aim it at me like a monitor. I indeed like the sound of the 6x10 rig more even at the same projected volume for the surface area of speakers and the added headroom I get running at 4 ohms.
     
  10. Dec 16, 2007 #10
    bongomania

    bongomania Supporting Member Commercial User

    Oct 17, 2005
    PDX, OR
    owner, OVNIFX and OVNILabs
    There's no basis for that assumption.

    +1
    Essentially +1. I do any "tone shaping" that's needed (effects, the EQ onboard my bass) pre DI; then I use a parametric EQ post DI to correct the stage sound.
     
  11. Dec 16, 2007 #11
    kringle77

    kringle77 Supporting Member

    Jul 30, 2004
    Massena NY
    Suraci, you really need to do some searches on here. The other guys gave you some good tips.
    -Start flat and turn your amp up to gig volume. You'll be surprised at how little you need to adjust your eq once you get out of the "bedroom" pratice volume levels.
    -Alittle eq goes a long way at higher volumes.
    -If you can learn how to get a great tone out of 3 knobs as opposed to 12 eq sliders, do it!
    -All preamps and eq's are not created equally. A slight adjustment on an Ashdown, Eden or Pearce eq goes alot farther than some others.
    -Your settings are going to change once the band kicks in. You may hate the sound by it's self but it will rock with the group. Vice versa.
    -I think that the graphic eq's help the tone of the newer ampeg gear alot! The vintage stuff started out sounding better and do not need them! Listen up Ampeg! :scowl: