Parametric EQ

[Slartibartfarst42]

I posted something about this a little while ago and I can't say I fully understand how it all works but I made some adjustments as best I could based on the information that was on that thread. I'd just like to check that the settings I'm using are about right or if I need to change something. I ask because last night at band practice, I didn't seem to be cutting through on some songs and I thought it may be to do with EQ settings as we recently changed to Eb tuning. Anyway, here's the details:

The parametric EQ is on a Digitech RP1000
The guitars used are a Jackson SL3 and PRS Custom 24 with hybrid strings, tuned to Eb

Low = 150Hz (usually +2dB)
Mid = 2kHz (usually +4dB)
High = 4.5kHz (usually +2dB)

The EQ controls on my amp (Blackstar Soloist 60) are broadly all at 12 o' clock. The bass is just a bit before 12 and the treble just a bit after. I'd be very grateful if someone with more knowledge than me about these things could tell me if those settings are about right or should be set at different frequencies.

[Kiichi]

K, I am not an expert by any means, but I do know a little bit and am starting to get the hang of EQs.

Hard to tell what you want or how it sounds ,etc, but in theory the frequencies selected should help with cut, mostly the 4,5k and the area between 1-4k. So maybe get the mids more towards 1,5k and the highs more towards 3,5k and see what happens. Also 150Hz really is more of the bass area, bringing that up would leave more room for the bass and bassdrum and you could get more hitting low end thump.

But generally I would advise you to go about setting up the amp differently (I am gonna assume this will be different).
First EQ your amp as usual, make it sounds as good as you can. Then from there you go and try boosting and cutting different frequencies with the parametric EQ, hear the effects. Build upon the best the amp can do using your ear.
The parametric EQ is more of a final tuning tool. Use the amp to set how much mids you want and the p-EQ to determine which mids you want.

For extra cut and lifelyness on my rig I use an Overdrive and  the MXR 10Band EQ where I when I use the EQ I cut at least 6dB of 31Hz and 62Hz (clean the bottom end up) and make a little hump (really just 1-3dB) from 500Hz to 4khz with the focus around 1-3k (500 for more growly stuff the rest for cut and livelyness). Then maybe take off 1-2dB of 8k and some more of 10k to round the sound off a little bit.

Really very delicate changes, variing from guitar to guitar.

[Slartibartfarst42]

Thanks, you clearly know a lot more than me. I can't play tonight as the wife has a thumping headache so it will have to wait until tomorrow night but I'll do as you suggest. I'll turn the EQ off and then adjust the amp before turning the EQ back on, making the adjustments to frequencies you suggest and then finally changing the levels of each one.

[Kiichi]

Oh, one thing I forgot to mention is that it also makes a difference where you place the EQ. Since you got a multi effects unit I assume you use the EQ in front of them amp, but I will still add these thoughts, cause it is always good to realize the difference.

I believe most people place EQs in the effects loop and that with good reason. There you can really do what was described, finetuning the amps EQ.

You can however also place it in front of them amp (which I do most of the time cause both my Orange TT and HTH amp 5w Fender have no effects loop, only my H&K combo has one, but I personally like it generally a bit more). It still fine tunes the amps EQ, but in a different way, cause you also shape the distortion coming from the preamp tubes.
If I give a boost @ 1-2k Hz I not only directly boost these but also their corresponding overtones. Boosting about 250-500Hz gives me a bit more growl in the distortion. Also I can cut out 31 and 62 Hz (or even a tad higher) when using my heavy LP style axe with AMs in drop A#, cause they are just too much to handle for the TT imho (after all it is only 15W and cleaning up the bottom end like this greatly helps the clarity and the sound is still crushing as all hell).

I only do very small changes most of the time, as I do not wanne change the PUs tone much, after all I like them, it is just a little optimisation for each axe without changing anything else in the chain. Quick and easy to do for me.

I advice on also trying those two positions in the effects chain at some point, they are different in effect, really just a matter of taste.

[Slartibartfarst42]

My amp does have an effects loop and the RP1000 is connected to both the front and back of the amp. For the rare times I use an amp model, the RP1000 routes things straight to the effects return and all of the effects are positioned internally on floor unit. I can also choose to use my own amp's tone, which I do most of the time, in which case the RP1000 arranges the effects either pre or post largely by itself. With some effects I can select pre or post myself but with most that is sorted out by the multi-fx and the EQ is one of those so I don't know if it's set up to work pre or post but if conventional wisdom is that an EQ should be post, I imagine that's what it is.

[Kiichi]

Easy test: Put the amp to the point where the preamp tubes just about start distorting when you hit heavy and give 6db or more boost in the 1-2k area. More distortion: in front of the amp. Just sounding more middy but same reaction to pick dynamics: effects loop.

[abdul_tom]

the low E string on the guitar is around 82 Hz i think and the high E is 330Hz odd so your settings outside these are affecting only harmonics and not the fundamental frequencies, although this is of course key to the sound.

Play about with it a bit. A Fender Blackface tone stack known for being mid scooped has a dip around 300Hz for example.

[Lucifuge]

IMO the best way to use a parametric EQ is to listen to the sound without the EQ first to hear what you like most and/or least about the existing sound.

Then set each band to a large boost and sweep through the range and see where it enhances the part of the sound you like, or makes the ones you hate sound worse. This way you can home in on the frequencies that cause the tone to have the characteristics you either like or dislike.

Then do the final setup by boosting at the frequencies where it makes it sound better and cutting where it makes it worse.

This is me speaking as a sound engineer rather than a guitarist, but if you're looking for a tone you like it should work the same way. Bear in mind however, that what sounds good in isolation when you are playing by yourself is not necessarily the same as what sounds good with the rest of the band and won't necessarily "cut through" the mix. To do that you'll have to listen to the whole band and make the EQ adjustments with them playing. (And even then, of course, what you're hearing standing next to your amp in the middle of the band  is not the same as what the audience is hearing.)