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Double Bass Should I try a Notch Filter?

NickyBass

NickyBass

Supporting Member
Nov 28, 2005
6,523
4,123
Southern New Jersey
#1
I was wondering what anyones expierience with notch filters are. I would like to control feedback, but am not a techie. How easy is it to find the offending freq, and is it usually the same freq, or does it change from room to room? My thoughts; turn up the amp to the point where it starts to feedback, then twist the notch filter until the feedback is subdued. But wouldn't that make those notes softer than the rest? How much more gain can I realistically expect?
 
#3
NickyBass said:
My thoughts; turn up the amp to the point where it starts to feedback, then twist the notch filter until the feedback is subdued. But wouldn't that make those notes softer than the rest? How much more gain can I realistically expect?
Click to expand...

My experience has found that notch filters do help a bit but you don't get HUGE increases in gain before feedback kicks in again (usually at a DIFFERENT frequency). Yes, use of any extreme EQ can cause certain notes to sound very weak by removing too much signal.

A much better solution I found was to dampen the tailpiece with foam (stuff some between the tailpiece and body)...some guys even use towels for this! Then roll off some bass EQ so that body resonances that are BELOW the open E string don't excite upper harmonics. For instance I found that feedback I often got an octave above the open A string (sometimes closer to Bb) could be tamed this way. Many preamps for bass pickups have phase inversion switches and these are very worthwhile in fighting feedback.
 
#4
The Feedback eliminators have some very narrow notches and are good about not causing a bunch of phase problems (keeping it sounding natural)

I shouldn't mention the "B" word, but I did notice that they're showing up even in hi-fi systems.

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I've been kicking around the thought of picking up a FBQ2496 for feedback and tone shaping, or jumping up to a DEQ2496 to also use in a home studio.
 
#7
Thanks for the info guys. The unit that I was considering was the D-TAR Equinox. I've heard great things about the eq, so even if the notch filters don't give me a whole lot more gain, I would still have a nice eq that can double as a preamp. If I decide to get one, I will post an update here.
 
#9
NickyBass said:
Thanks for the info guys. The unit that I was considering was the D-TAR Equinox. I've heard great things about the eq, so even if the notch filters don't give me a whole lot more gain, I would still have a nice eq that can double as a preamp. If I decide to get one, I will post an update here.
Click to expand...

I could be wrong, but I don't think the D-tar has a notch
filter on it, only lows, mids and highs. The notch filter on
my Focus has come in quite handy. I had never owned one
before. It took about two minutes to get it, and I only use it
once in a while, but it comes in handy when I do need it.
 
#11
B-String, you're confusing the D-TAR Equinox, a three band parametric EQ plus two bands of notch filtration with the Solstice mixer/blender. The Equinox will fit the bill here if you like it's feature set and sound.

I'm the "T" in D-TAR
 
#12
Rick Turner said:
B-String, you're confusing the D-TAR Equinox, a three band parametric EQ plus two bands of notch filtration with the Solstice mixer/blender. The Equinox will fit the bill here if you like it's feature set and sound.

I'm the "T" in D-TAR
Click to expand...

Rick. You are correct. I'm such an idiot! I'm so stupid! Why
can't I learn to read? Whats the frekkin matter with me???
oohhh..... ok.....I feel better now. Sorry about the bad info.
 

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