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using an EQ through the input jack

#21
Why do you need an EQ pedal when there’s an EQ already built into the amp?

My buddy plays in a blues band (no effects whatsoever) and plays a variety of venues and has never had a problem acclimating his sound to the room(s) he plays in. I just think you need to experiment a bit with what you have on hand.
 
#23
blindrabbit said:
A Broughton HPF/LPF would probably accomplish what you are looking for, and will be totally neutral otherwise.
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This was my first thought. If you like the overall tone, but simply want to chop off the subs and sparkly highs, an HPF/LPF (or even a cab sim) would allow you to keep that tone you like and accomplish those goals at the same time.
 
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#24
pcake said:
i have a question regarding a 7 or 10 band EQ. i want to lose a little bass, add a little presence and clarity and lose a little of the highest end. if you plug your bass into the EQ and the EQ into the front of your amp, can the EQ be pretty effective? i guess i'm wondering how much it will affect tone when your amp and its own flavor is in front of it...
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Eschew the EQ... play closer to the bridge and you'll lose a little bass and gain some presence and clarity. Roll the tone off to lose a little of the highest end.

Historically, I've found that when I kept fiddling with EQ settings; what I realized was that I really didn't like the sound of a particular instrument. If I couldn't get the tone I was looking for by changing playing style or strings, I always ended up selling the instrument.
 
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#25
Wasnex said:
In general it will work fine. If your bass is passive, the different input impedance may change the sound slightly, but nothing major. For example, my MXR KFK EQ has an input impedance of 470Kohms and many amps have 1Mohm. I don't think this will be any sort of major problem considering the Radial J48 has an input impedance of 220Kohms.


The EQ itself may have it's own unique sonic signature as well.
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Not an issue unless the bass being amplified has a piezoelectric pick up.
 
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#26
pcake said:
i'm not asking about my particular gear - i could get or play through other heads or combos in the future. i'd love to be able to tailor the sound.

i use no signal chain - i've always played amp to cab, i sometimes use a combo, sometimes use a head. my LH500 has an fx loop, my TC electronic BQ250 does not. i've owned and will own others in the future.
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Probably fine as long as whatever your EQ is sends appropriate signal strength to your amp (not too hot, not too weak).

I use a Zoom B3 like this. The output is way too friggin hot to use in the fx loop but just plugs into the front end where I can control gain it works fine.
 
#27
Kipp Harrington said:
Why do you need an EQ pedal when there’s an EQ already built into the amp?

My buddy plays in a blues band (no effects whatsoever) and plays a variety of venues and has never had a problem acclimating his sound to the room(s) he plays in. I just think you need to experiment a bit with what you have on hand.
Click to expand...

i want to affect particular bands. for one thing, i want to create different tones and flavors.

for another, i have problems with my right ear at a couple of frequencies, and if i could cut them down, life would be good.
 
#28
pcake said:
i'm just wondering if using an eq - in this case, a whirlwind bass ten - will let me shape the tone fairly well when used thus
bass --> eq--> input jack of head
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00 images2b3.png

And I said:
I think you'll find it's quite effective. It won't undo the "sound" of your amp, and your amp won't defeat the changes you made with the eq.
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#29
minddrain said:
It’s like compressing after drive. You can do that, but you lose drive.
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crguti said:
In my experience, you lose drive when you compress before.
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What is this? With compression, you change the dynamics of your signal, and thus, the way your DRIVE BEHAVES. You don't "lose / gain drive" if your gain staging and make-up gain on your compressor unit are right. The amount of signal going in and out should be identical whether your compressor is on or off, just like with other efx units. It should be unity gain all the way through, except in the case of boost (like, solo boost etc.), where a change of level would be desirable.
 
#30
I would suggest you find out how the EQ in your amps work. If "5" or half way is flat then leave the EQ flat and you should be fine with whatever EQ you put in front of your amp(s).

FWIW with the BG250 I had I couldn't get any kind of workable tone until I started running a MarkBass Super Booster in the front end using the MB "secret sauce" controls. From then on I always used this pedal is it can run a direct out by-passing the crappy DI's in many low cost Class D amps (Ampeg I'm talking about you) as well.

BTW, I wish I had the need for a Whirlwind EQ. From what I saw on Ed Friedland's demo those things are the shizzle!
 
#31
kalle74 said:
What is this? With compression, you change the dynamics of your signal, and thus, the way your DRIVE BEHAVES. You don't "lose / gain drive" if your gain staging and make-up gain on your compressor unit are right. The amount of signal going in and out should be identical whether your compressor is on or off, just like with other efx units. It should be unity gain all the way through, except in the case of boost (like, solo boost etc.), where a change of level would be desirable.
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The below video shows how compression can affect your drive:

 
#32
They work quite well. Which comes as no surprise since every guitar/bass pedal you’re ever likely to run into was designed to be put in front of your amp.

I picked up a SA Programmable EQ ($149 new) for my SO and she loves it. It’ll allow you to store 4 different EQ settings and switch between them with your foot. So you can set up a solo EQ setting, or one for single coils vs humbuckers, etc. The setting changes make a noticeable difference in the sound.

Nice thing about the SA is it has a setting that enables a low end EQ point so that bass players can make good use of it too. Lots to like if you’re in the market for a graphic EQ.



What I think works even better for tone shaping however is the Barber Linden EQ. Check out the thread about it if you’re interested.
 
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#33
40Hz said:
They work quite well. Which comes as no surprise since every guitar/bass pedal you’re ever likely to run into was designed to be put in front of your amp.

I picked up a SA Programmable EQ ($149 new) for my SO and she loves it. It’ll allow you to store 4 different EQ settings and switch between them with your foot. So you can set up a solo EQ setting, or one for single coils vs humbuckers, etc. The setting changes make a noticeable difference in the sound.

Nice thing about the SA is it has a setting that enables a low end EQ point so that bass players can make good use of it too. Lots to like if you’re in the market for a graphic EQ.



What I think works even better for tone shaping however is the Barber Linden EQ. Check out the thread about it if you’re interested.
Click to expand...


thanks - since i just ordered a whirlwind bass ten yesterday, i think i'll play with it for a while and see how it goes.

but i do like the idea of the presets a lot, i must admit.
 
#34
crguti said:
The below video shows how compression can affect your drive:

Click to expand...


Yes, after working professionally in audio for over 20 years, I know how compression works, and how it will affect any units after it. And the video proves my point to a "T", showing how compression affects the way your drive *behaves* dynamically. The video also very clearly demonstrates how "over-compression" can destroy your sound, not only how the drive behaves. In case your gain staging before your drive is off, compression can change the amount of drive. Whether you choose to use your compressor unit to change the gain or not is up to you. "Compression loses/gains drive" is a blanket statement, however, and a statement I would prefer not to see.
 
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#35
pcake said:
i want to affect particular bands. for one thing, i want to create different tones and flavors.

for another, i have problems with my right ear at a couple of frequencies, and if i could cut them down, life would be good.
Click to expand...
I see. Then I guess you’re in the market for a good EQ. I’ve heard nothing but good things about the Whirlwind 10. Good luck.
 
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#37
EQ is a linear process. If all you have is eq in 2 devices, the order of things doesn’t matter w.r.t. the eq. For other aspects (level, noise) the order may matter. What you’re describing, it’s very likely no problem - eq away.
 
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#39
pcake said:
thanks - since i just ordered a whirlwind bass ten yesterday, i think i'll play with it for a while and see how it goes.

but i do like the idea of the presets a lot, i must admit.
Click to expand...

The Whirlwind is a decent graphic EQ. So no worries. You picked yourself a decent one. I used an earlier version ages ago. And I was quite happy with it up till the day it disappeared from my band’s rehearsal space. (Suspect it was one of our guitarist’s shady young cousin who did tge “five-finger discount” on it.) Used it mostly when I’d be switching between a Ripper with steel rounds and a JB with flats. Just check yours carefully when you get it. Some units can be noisy. The new ones have basically cured that issue last I heard. I only hear it pop up occasionally.


As was earlier mentioned by @micguy, EQ is linear. And I’ll add cumulative. So make one EQ point your main EQ. I generally prefer to have the first EQ in the chain be my master EQ. That way I know precisely what I’m sending down the chain as my core tone setting.

Suggest when you get the Whirlwind that you set your amp flat and see if you can EQ on the graphic to get the precise tone you’re looking for. Then if you’re on stage you can do any final tweaks for the room with the amp’s tonestack.

Luck! And happy EQ-ing. :)
 
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