OP
RVA
Ambassador
Certainly no arguing with your tone.
Graphic EQ vs Para EQ
- Thread starter RVA
- Start date
ChasFred
Ambassador of Smooth Operations
I just play in the bedroom so it is not an issue for me anymore.
Because it block/absorbs some high freq, it makes sense that you would have to boost it some.
I feel that I have very little difficulty separating quality of tone from quality of performance.
Both, from you, have improved steadily over time(IMO). I believe that your quest for tonal bliss encourages you to experiment more, thus playing time increases. That is a good thing, as you have the compound experiences to learn from, and build upon.
As to graphic vs para eq: they do the same thing essentially....boost or cut specific frequencies.
I have both kicking around here in different shells and formats. I used to prefer the graphic equalizers, but now I prefer a well thought out parametric. I feel like it(parametric eq) has become second nature after all the time I’ve spent with mixers and plug-ins and such. I like the ease of finding the frequencies that I may wish to attenuate by sweeping the frequency knobs with a deep, narrow, cut set up...then sculpt from there. It works for me.
OP
RVA
Ambassador
Thank you. If I am improving, I am happy. It is an endless journey anyway!
I agree with you. I prefer the paraEQs and may wait for the right deal on another Empress
OP
RVA
Ambassador
I think most are analog, no presets, but pedal form
I don’t recall bumping in to one in pedal format, but you got me curious...and in looking, I came across this:
Programmable EQ
The Source Audio Programmable EQ is a MIDI controllable, thoroughly modern and highly streamlined upgrade to traditional equalizer pedals.
www.sourceaudio.net
The bass functionality is a bonus....the auto scroll feature is interesting(at least in the bass video).
Hmmmmmmmmm......
chilipeppermaniac
Ambassador of Decibels
OK RAY, Just as I was learning there are things called Preamps in guitars and basses, you post this thread.
Anyhow, my curiosity got me about Preamps. SO here is a good clip on what a Pre does.
Anyhow, my curiosity got me about Preamps. SO here is a good clip on what a Pre does.
OP
RVA
Ambassador
I saw that a while ago. It is very cool, but graphic of course, just to address the thread topic. Also, 4 presets seems a bit light....10 maybe!!! I think they should try a digital paraeq!I don’t recall bumping in to one in pedal format, but you got me curious...and in looking, I came across this:
Programmable EQ
The Source Audio Programmable EQ is a MIDI controllable, thoroughly modern and highly streamlined upgrade to traditional equalizer pedals.www.sourceaudio.net
The bass functionality is a bonus....the auto scroll feature is interesting(at least in the bass video).
Hmmmmmmmmm......
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Agreed! That would be great! I am in Vox’s camp in regards to the control that one has with a parametric eq.
The Empress (IIRC) has a 3 way Q toggle, something that seems to be lacking in most of the pedal format para eq units...control over the width of the cut/boost in the spectrum. The only pedal para eq I’ve noticed that has traditional Q control on multiple bands is the kit from BYOC...
Build Your Own Clone
The best DIY guitar amplifier and effects pedal kits. The highest quality components and the most thorough and easy-to-follow instructions. Real customer and technical support.
buildyourownclone.com
Last edited by a moderator:
OP
RVA
Ambassador
Yes, the Empress has the Q and also a great boost. i have tried the Empress boost in connection with this EQ and their Buffer + - both are outstanding
chilipeppermaniac
Ambassador of Decibels
Ray, I am now seeing a bit of a muddied picture in relation to your other thread about EQ as your amps are turned up in volume.
Were we talking EQ as you twiddle this Empress to suit? Or were we talking EQ of each amp as if you were like me and some of us who plug straight into the amp and adjust their Bass, Mid, Treble, Presence, to suit? I am now suspecting it is as I feared. Somewhere YOUR SOUND is getting lost in the signal chain of Guitar to cord, to Empress to assortment of effects to amp and eventually on to speakers as you describe the status quo changing from sounding good at bedroom level settings but crappy as you crank it on it's way to 11. Thus requiring more fiddling with the Empress depending on which amp, which guitar and all the effects/ recording equip you are utilizing.
Were we talking EQ as you twiddle this Empress to suit? Or were we talking EQ of each amp as if you were like me and some of us who plug straight into the amp and adjust their Bass, Mid, Treble, Presence, to suit? I am now suspecting it is as I feared. Somewhere YOUR SOUND is getting lost in the signal chain of Guitar to cord, to Empress to assortment of effects to amp and eventually on to speakers as you describe the status quo changing from sounding good at bedroom level settings but crappy as you crank it on it's way to 11. Thus requiring more fiddling with the Empress depending on which amp, which guitar and all the effects/ recording equip you are utilizing.
OP
RVA
Ambassador
I was not using the Empress or any other effect when having the issues in the other thread Chili.
chilipeppermaniac
Ambassador of Decibels
eclecticsynergy
Ambassador of Electric Synergy
Parametrics are much more precise than graphics but also require more skill & understanding to set up well. IMO really more of a studio tool.
To me (for guitar, at least) graphic EQs are a special effect, something I'd kick in for a lead part or specialty tone (or use with a specific OD pedal) but not one that I regularly use on my overall sound.
I know some amps have 'em built in, and that can be part of your normal tone but I'd avoid changing EQ settings from one venue to another. That could mess with the way the soundman EQs your tone in the house mix - which is the most important thing since that's what the audience hears. Only the front rows hear much of your actual stage sound. (Of course, occasionally you run into a soundspace that's so weird you need to tweak things just to hear yourself... but IMO the more consistent your tone from night to night, the better it is for the soundman.)
FWIW, Source Audio makes a compact graphic EQ pedal that has presets; always thought that would be useful myself. One of my pedalboards has the Alexander Quadrant delay with presets and that's quite handy. I got spoiled using rack units for many years and kneeling to tweak delay times is no fun.
Someone mentioned paragraphics, a cool hybrid - I don't know why they aren't more popular. We had an SWR bass amp in the studio with a tunable 4-band graphic plusoverall Bass & Treble controls. I never took it on the road but that thing sounded great.
I sometimes use a tilt EQ when switching between guitars. Not to remake the overall tone but to bring the levels and ranges into the same general ballpark so the rig responds similarly. I can get the same type of drive when going from vintage output to modern axes, but the guitars still sound like themselves. For years I used an ole DOD BiFET preamp for this. Now I have a VFE Pinball, a similar pedal that also permits tuning your shelf points for the low & high bands.
To me (for guitar, at least) graphic EQs are a special effect, something I'd kick in for a lead part or specialty tone (or use with a specific OD pedal) but not one that I regularly use on my overall sound.
I know some amps have 'em built in, and that can be part of your normal tone but I'd avoid changing EQ settings from one venue to another. That could mess with the way the soundman EQs your tone in the house mix - which is the most important thing since that's what the audience hears. Only the front rows hear much of your actual stage sound. (Of course, occasionally you run into a soundspace that's so weird you need to tweak things just to hear yourself... but IMO the more consistent your tone from night to night, the better it is for the soundman.)
FWIW, Source Audio makes a compact graphic EQ pedal that has presets; always thought that would be useful myself. One of my pedalboards has the Alexander Quadrant delay with presets and that's quite handy. I got spoiled using rack units for many years and kneeling to tweak delay times is no fun.
Someone mentioned paragraphics, a cool hybrid - I don't know why they aren't more popular. We had an SWR bass amp in the studio with a tunable 4-band graphic plusoverall Bass & Treble controls. I never took it on the road but that thing sounded great.
I sometimes use a tilt EQ when switching between guitars. Not to remake the overall tone but to bring the levels and ranges into the same general ballpark so the rig responds similarly. I can get the same type of drive when going from vintage output to modern axes, but the guitars still sound like themselves. For years I used an ole DOD BiFET preamp for this. Now I have a VFE Pinball, a similar pedal that also permits tuning your shelf points for the low & high bands.