Anyone Using A Graphic Equalizer

Paul King · Post by **Paul King** » 4 Aug 2003 9:12 am

I have been thinking about using a graphic equalizer with my setup. I am wondering if any of my fellow steelers are using one or have in the past. I am wondering what would be the pros and cons of using one. I have great lows but my highs are a little sharper than I prefer. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated....Paul

Johan Jansen · Post by **Johan Jansen** » 4 Aug 2003 11:11 am

please,tell more about your setup, I would go for other solutions then an IQ, the less chains, the more and better sound.

JB Arnold · Post by **JB Arnold** » 4 Aug 2003 11:46 am

A graphic EQ would be a little overkill for that kind of issue-Kinda like robbing a 7-11 with an MX missle. There's a ton of other options. A matchbox maybe?

JB

------------------
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"All in all, looking back, I'd have to say the best advice anyone ever gave me was 'Hands Up, Don't Move!"
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Bob Metzger · Post by **Bob Metzger** » 4 Aug 2003 12:20 pm

I think it's an excellent idea. I prefer 10 bands but please consider 15 bands as well. An in/out comparison switch is very helpful and useful.

Bob M.[This message was edited by Bob Metzger on 04 August 2003 at 01:20 PM.]

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 4 Aug 2003 2:36 pm

I have a 10 band built into my Hartke amp I use it ALL the time. For bass and for steel.

I would prefer a 1/3 octave unit, but that's not something I need for this rig, enough to pay for. I do use them all the time in mixes of course. The benifit of a 1/3 octave unit is that aproximately each 3 notes in an octave has a tone control.

A 4 band parametric Eq would let you tune in to any trouble band and adjust it with full control, usually there are 4 separate bands to use. But that's overkill for a road rack. (But not for a Bass rack)

If you can find a used 1/3 octave unit cheap try it and see if it does what you want.

You can find 10 bands cheaper of course.
It will be useful to balance aproximatly an octaves range each slider.

Ken Fox · Post by **Ken Fox** » 4 Aug 2003 4:00 pm

Paul, I have a Rane MQ302 that was given to me for some amp work/repair I did. I see one on Ebay at a buy now of $254.95!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2548793938&category=23788

If you want this one, you can have it for half that and freight. I just checked it out with a Twin Reverb and a signal generator to sweep the filters. Works great and I do not have a use for it. I have the manuals for it as well. It appears to be at the top of the "food chain" for EQs.[This message was edited by Ken Fox on 04 August 2003 at 05:21 PM.][This message was edited by Ken Fox on 04 August 2003 at 05:39 PM.]

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 4 Aug 2003 4:22 pm

I think every good amp should have an active graphic equalizer. It just gives so much more control...with tones and sounds that no "tone stack" or "parametric equalizer" can even come close to.

The only thing that would make me buy another amp would be if it had a good graphic EQ.

Dennis Detweiler · Post by **Dennis Detweiler** » 4 Aug 2003 6:08 pm

I picked up an early model Furman PQ-3 a few years ago. Great and quiet rack unit with preamp control boost and bypass switch. It has 3 channels (low) (mid) (high) with frequencies to dial in each channel. Also each channel: band width and eq boost/cut. You can fine tune an amp with it or use it as a preamp into a power head. A used one is around $100. A new reissue is around $300.
B.E. used one on the Live At The Convention LP with his Session 400.
Dennis

Gary Walker · Post by **Gary Walker** » 4 Aug 2003 7:20 pm

I have used a 31 band EQ to record my Mullen to get a 60s Emmons P/P type of tone. With some experimenting you can find that tone range of any brand of steel and amp and augment just about any sound you are looking for. Using it live is somewhat unnecessary in most cases and a good amp can dial in your mystery sound.

Wayne Cox · Post by **Wayne Cox** » 7 Aug 2003 6:19 pm

I traveled on the road for years,playing in every kind of acoustical situation imaginable. Even a small 7-band,battery powered, Graphic EQ can mean the difference between great tone and just ho-hum! Most importantly, it can help offset the negative tone influence of other effects boxes. If you carry a good EQ and a good Echo/Reverb unit, you can get a decent sound out of almost any amp.~~W.C.~~

Gary Walker · Post by **Gary Walker** » 7 Aug 2003 7:26 pm

Wayne, I also have the Boss stomp pedal EQ and it does indeed add that certain something that can make a big difference and have used it on occassion.

Bill Crook · Post by **Bill Crook** » 8 Aug 2003 4:35 am

I use a 15 band EQ unit with my rack mount system. "Profex II" into the EQ unit,then to a 2 channel power-amp.

The EQ unit really does make a difference in the tone. Now,while playing at a low volume,this where the EQ system shows it true value. The lows are just as "In your face" as the mid and hi stuff is. Of course, as you start to go up in volume,one must back off the "low" band in order to not over-drive the system and create distortion.

In no way here,am I attempting to dish my "Profex II" unit here,but I do find that it does have a tendency to be a bit "Bassy" with-out adjusting the (seperate)EQ unit a bit. I'm sure it's only that I haven't programmed the "Profex II" EQ stuff to allow for the volume levels.

All in all,I find that the EQ system is a most needed unit when attempting to record dirctly to tape or playing in a moderately low volume enviroment.

for what it's worth....

Susan Alcorn (deceased) · Post by **Susan Alcorn (deceased)** » 17 Aug 2003 11:34 am

I don't use a grqaphic EQ, but for my rexordings and solo concert, I use a Joe Meek stereo EQ which I like very much.

Chuck McGill · Post by **Chuck McGill** » 18 Aug 2003 1:22 pm

I only have one problem with a graphic EQ. You can do as much damage as good. The more
bands the more phasing problems if overused.
A good parametric would be a better choice for me.