EQ's.... where in signal chain?

[Metalman_666]

I'm just wondering where you would put an EQ in a signal chain if:

A) The distortion is coming from the amp, or

B) The distortion is coming from a pedal.

Thanks in advance!

 

[theboatcandream]

Re: EQ's.... where in signal chain?

I'm just wondering where you would put an EQ in a signal chain if:

A) The distortion is coming from the amp, or

B) The distortion is coming from a pedal.

Thanks in advance!

You don't have much choice if you're getting your distortion from the amp. It's either between the guitar and the amp, or in the effects chain via the amp. Put it in the chain and the signal will degrade less.

When the distortion comes from the pedal, put EQ after the pedal to change how each frequency sits in the mix, and put an EQ before the pedal to change the character of the sound. If you crank the bass going into the pedal, you'll get a really fuzzy sound like a big muff. If you scoop the bass, you'll get less fuzz and as a result more clarity. If you crank the mids going into the pedal, you'll sound like Pantara. Visit the link in my sig and scroll to the bottom to hear a demo of that technique.

One interesting technique I used to play with was boosting at 500hz going into my distortion pedal then scooping it a bit after the signal was distorted. I don't anymore, because there's too many pedals involved for my taste and I'd rather just get better distortion directly from my amp.

 

[tone4days]

Re: EQ's.... where in signal chain?

i'd put in in the effects loop if possible ... final tonal shaping before you go to the power section ...

if it has to go before the amp, i'd say try it both before and after the distortion pedal to see what you like more .... i'd lean towards 'before' the distortion pedal as long as it wasnt too hissy ... it could serve to provide a sculpting to the 'raw material' before coloring it with effects ...

good luck and let us know what you come up with
cheers
t4d

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: EQ's.... where in signal chain?

from a pedal, i'd say RIGHT after distortion, from an amp, i'd say in the effects loop

i tried putting my EQ before my pedal, but the truth is, i like the normal tone of my pedal too much to mess with it like that, i use the EQ so i don't have to change amp settings between songs, or for a volume & mid boost for parts that need to stand out.

 

[Old Ghost]

Re: EQ's.... where in signal chain?

You don't have much choice if you're getting your distortion from the amp. It's either between the guitar and the amp, or in the effects chain via the amp. Put it in the chain and the signal will degrade less.

When the distortion comes from the pedal, put EQ after the pedal to change how each frequency sits in the mix, and put an EQ before the pedal to change the character of the sound. If you crank the bass going into the pedal, you'll get a really fuzzy sound like a big muff. If you scoop the bass, you'll get less fuzz and as a result more clarity. If you crank the mids going into the pedal, you'll sound like Pantara. Visit the link in my sig and scroll to the bottom to hear a demo of that technique.

One interesting technique I used to play with was boosting at 500hz going into my distortion pedal then scooping it a bit after the signal was distorted. I don't anymore, because there's too many pedals involved for my taste and I'd rather just get better distortion directly from my amp.

+1 :burnout:

 

[some_dude]

Re: EQ's.... where in signal chain?

I use one in front of my amp as a treble booster, and one in the effects loop for cutting and shaping.