The "How does an EQ Pedal work and which one to get" thread.

[Andrew Lamprecht]

What do EQ pedals essentially do? Is it just like an amps EQ with a wider range? Like low mids high mids etc?

I have never used an eq pedal before but I would like to use my PJ at this small local bar (very small, almost small enough to get cleans there haha) but I would also like some sort of eq to go along with it. I tend to set the eq on my deville flat and boost the treble and mids a bit and would like to be able to do this on the pj as well...

Also, does anyone know of any good eq pedals to buy? Are there any differences? Would like to stay under $70 or so.

MXR six band? Dano FishnChips?

 

[baritone]

Re: The "How does an EQ Pedal work and which one to get" thread.

If you stumble upon some EQ somewhere (6-band, 7-band, 10-band, graphic, parametric, guitar, bass, acoustic, keyboard, expensive, cheap), which you have a chance to try out, and you enjoy, go for it. What matters is how you use it. A graphic EQ can isolate specific frequencies (low bass vs. mid bass vs. upper bass and low midrange), while the amp's bass knob usually won't distinguish between all of these. A lot can be done with a 3-band EQ, but I like to have access to that precise tone control when necessary.

Between different manufacturers and models, I have heard people say the best things and the worst things about each. This is why I say to try one out and see if you like it. If you get a 10-band EQ, you may notice that the most extreme bass and treble sliders don't have a dramatic impact on your overall sound. That's because the guitar and guitar speakers focus on midrange. The most important part is shaping of the midrange. My parametric EQ pedal goes from 25Hz to 16kHz, and those extreme frequencies are not even audible through a regular guitar setup; they become more apparent when I plug into my bass amp.

 

[St_Genesius]

Re: The "How does an EQ Pedal work and which one to get" thread.

Ugh. An EQ pedal is, imo, mostly a way to get yourself in trouble.

EQ is a vitally important part of any mix, but I prefer to handle it there: at the mixing stage, whether that's recording or live. Even if you're playing live with no house mixer/ PA reinforcement, it would be so exceedingly difficult to stand onstage in front of your amp and know which frequencies you need to cut to sit better in the blast of noise hitting the audience that I can't really see the use.

And for god's sake, no matter how you accomplish your EQing, always try to cut before you try to boost.

 

[gvis]

Re: The "How does an EQ Pedal work and which one to get" thread.

EQ is a vitally important part of any mix, but I prefer to handle it there: at the mixing stage, whether that's recording or live.

That assumes a fixed setting, but not really relevant when you want to use it as an as needed tone shaper, such as boosting mids for solos or scooping mids to get that sound. Or cutting the huge bass the hyde side of my jeckl/hyde pedal puts out, so it's balanced with the rest of my setup. Very useful for these.

My suggestion is to get one that's low noise, especislly if you plan to boost with it. My boss ge7 is ok, but it is a bit noisy.

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: The "How does an EQ Pedal work and which one to get" thread.

An equalizer selectively cuts or boosts frequency ranges.

You may see "Q" referenced with equalizers - this variable describes the width of the frequency band that is being cut or boosted. Essentially, it determines the amount of frequencies adjacent to a specific frequency that have a similar amount of cut or boost applied to them. A wider Q will affect more frequency ranges adjacent to the original, whereas a narrower Q will affect less adjacent frequency ranges.

 

[St_Genesius]

Re: The "How does an EQ Pedal work and which one to get" thread.

That's fair, though not my preferred way of affecting such changes.

That assumes a fixed setting, but not really relevant when you want to use it as an as needed tone shaper, such as boosting mids for solos or scooping mids to get that sound. .

 

[gvis]

Re: The "How does an EQ Pedal work and which one to get" thread.

That's fair, though not my preferred way of affecting such changes.

What other options are there? Unless we're talking about a stadium act with automation and backup techs, it's not like the sound guy at a bar knows when to boost or cut specific instruments to the specifc sound the player wants at that moment.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: The "How does an EQ Pedal work and which one to get" thread.

I find an EQ very useful. My favorite is the MXR 10 band EQ. For the money, the Fish n Chips is very good. I find it works best in the effects loop.

 

[St_Genesius]

Re: The "How does an EQ Pedal work and which one to get" thread.

Dude, I said it was fair.

 

[gvis]

Re: The "How does an EQ Pedal work and which one to get" thread.

Dude, I said it was fair.

lol...not trying to be a dick. Just curious if I was missing something. Peace.

 

[eschoendorff]

Re: The "How does an EQ Pedal work and which one to get" thread.

Paging Dr. Newcenstein...