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356 Views 9 Replies Latest reply: Jul 28, 2012 12:29 AM by MadYarpen RSS
Talenless Just Startin'
Talenless
64 posts since
May 15, 43515
Currently Being Moderated

Jul 8, 2012 4:42 PM

Lot of noob questions about how, why, when, what, and where to use EQ effects

I'm a total EQ-noob. i know about graphic eqs and that they go either before the amp, or in the send/return loop. and i know how to tweek the sliders, but beyond that i have know idea about any other type of eq. so basically i'm looking for a guide (or video) that explains in layman's terms:

 

1. why one would use an eq in the signal chain

 

2. what type of eq to use, and its purpose

 

3. where to place them

 

4. and under what circumstances one would use an eq, or multiple eqs

 

thanks for the help

  • jimsreynolds Power User
    jimsreynolds
    2,227 posts since
    Jun 27, 43450
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jul 8, 2012 5:01 PM (in response to Talenless)
    Re: Lot of noob questions about how, why, when, what, and where to use EQ effects

    Most worshipful Podmeister meambobbo has just the thing for you ... --> http://foobazaar.com/podhd/toneGuide/eq.html

     

    He has produced a guide to all things HD500 that covers a pantheon of subjects including EQ.

  • meambobbo Iknowathingortwo
    meambobbo
    1,702 posts since
    Dec 13, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jul 10, 2012 9:11 AM (in response to Talenless)
    Re: Lot of noob questions about how, why, when, what, and where to use EQ effects

    1) Before a distortion stage (amp or distortion effect) to change the distortion sound (more/less creamy/fuzzy/crunchy/gritty) http://foobazaar.com/podhd/toneGuide/gettingStarted#distortion

     

    After a distortion stage to boost/cut some part of the frequency response.  IE, if the tone is too boomy, you want less bass, etc.

     

    After a distortion stage to de-emphasize or eliminate unwanted frequencies.  You'd make narrow cuts to remove spots that sound fizzy or crackly or are otherwise just nasty, or you could use such to prevent feedback at loud volumes.

     

    2) I mainly use the Mid-Focus EQ to roll off a little high end and/or low end.  I'll often use it before the amp to remove some fuzz/mud (on the low-end) and grit (on the high end) from the distortion tone.  After the amp, i use it to remove boominess (that low end drone) and the crackly/fizzy highs that come from some amps and cab/mic combinations.

     

    I use the Parametric EQ often for wide cuts/boosts to the warm lower mids or punch sections.  I'll occasionally use them to cut unwanted frequencies, or cut a bit of "honky" mids.

     

    The Graphic EQ is often helpful before a distortion stage when you would otherwise need multiple EQ's.

     

    The Studio EQ is two band-pass/band-stop EQ's, with variable frequency and fixed wide Q.  Useful for general freuqency shaping after the amp, but often not much better than using the amp's EQ controls.

     

    3) Generally right before a distortion stage or right after.  You have to be careful placing them after the amp block, because they are sensitive to input distortion.  Make sure not to set your amp model's volume parameter too high or your mixer levels too high.  See: http://foobazaar.com/podhd/toneGuide/setup#clippingEffects

     

    4) See question 1.  As for multiple EQ's, they allow you more shaping possibilities, both before and after the amp.

     

    EXPERIMENT EXPERIMENT EXPERIMENT

  • Psycher1 Just Startin'
    Psycher1
    6 posts since
    Jul 26, 2011
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jul 27, 2012 6:35 AM (in response to Talenless)
    Re: Lot of noob questions about how, why, when, what, and where to use EQ effects

    What I've learned so far:

     

    You have 3 eq stages.  A pre-amp eq, whatever goes into the amp.  Could be just the guitar's natural sound, or any eq effects applied to make it sound different.  Cheap guitar?  No problem, just EQ it and you'll survive.  I typically use the 4 band shift to brighten up the signal and increase either upper or lower mids for a tad more volume.  The update 2.01 'mic preamp' thingo is also great for this stage, get to that later.

     

    Next you have the amp controls.  Gain (chug, breakup), bass (thickness, muddiness), mids (honk, frequency response), treble (spikiness / gain), presence (brightness, anti-mud), master (power, richness, alternate breakup).  Amp parameters beyond that affect feel and response instead of EQ.  Consult meambobbo's articles *and* the advanced manuals put up by line6 on the subjects, they seem to contain different ways of looking at the subjects.

     

    Last is Post EQ.  This is where you actually EQ the sound you hear.  Up to this point you've been changing amp characteristics.   Low bass settings on the amp can be compensated for now, where you can add a post processing EQ and increase the bass range.  Watch the Petrucci tone interview thing (part 2) on youtube for a good explanation of things to this point.  Part one is great as well for making clean/crunch tones but I honestly don't agree with his philosophy on cleans.  Preference is all.

     

    For HD300/HD400 users, we clearly suck because we don't have money, and we don't deserve more than 2 (post update, 3?) EQ effects.

    For what it's worth I prefer the 4 band shift EQ, due to it having 4 bands, and a shift.  Without a central mid frequency it's really not a good replacement for a real eq pedal however.  (Honestly, just buy a cheap Danelectro Fish and Chips 7 band EQ pedal to put between your pod and the amp.  Also opens up the FX1 channel.  Doing this has been the single biggest factor in my tone modeling since the pod itself.)

     

    Parametric's been adaquetly described.  Gain up or down from a neutral 50%, and the Q setting to change how wide the 'V shape' you make is.

     

    Post the 2.01 update we get a mic preamp thing that I don't think is actually meant for electric guitar, but it's amazing anyway.  Filters out bass/low mid frequencies and has a bass and treble control, making it perfect for brightening up a guitar.  Makes my $100 dollar fender tuned to A sound like it's actually worth something, and doesn't hold me back when playing to Delain (recommend) or other artists that use 7 string guitars.

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