High cut and low cut settings in Global EQ?

[Revvaloon]

Hi Folks, I am curious if any one out there uses the high-cut and low-cut functionality in the Global EQ settings? If yes, what do you have it set to? I am wondering if I should have it turned on at all times. Don't play on using the EQ but am thinking of the low cut (which I have currently set at 100hz) and high cut option.

 

Thanks.

[DunedinDragon]

I'm sure there are some that still use global high and low cuts out there in spite of it being a really TERRIBLE idea for a number of reasons.

 

The first and foremost reason is because the high and low cuts vary considerably depending on a wide number of things such as, the amp model you use, the settings on the amp model, the cabinet or IR you use, the mics being used and their placement on the cabinet, as well as what guitar you're using, what type of output device your using in your setup, and ultimately the sound of the song.  If you were only going to use one preset with one configuration of these things then it might be okay.  But then the question is, why in the world did you think you needed a Helix?  The other main reason is the global EQ settings were specifically designed so you can adjust the Helix to the acoustics of different rooms when you're performing live.

 

But to give you an example and answer your question, I have about 100 presets I've built that I commonly use.  The settings for my high cuts and low cuts vary from 0 to as high as 120 Hz on the low cuts, and none to as low as 6 kHz on the high cuts and all the spaces in between.  This is because of all of the differences cited above.  High and low cuts are one of the very last things I address when building a preset and I do it with a parametric EQ toward the end of my signal chain where I'm making any final tweaks to the overall sound.  These are simply things no one can give you specifics on to any degree of certainty and you have to trust your ears to tell you what sounds good.

[SteveFrance]

Personnally, I don't use the global EQ.

One reason is that i use a variax and play with acoustics models so the Global EQ wouldn't be a great solution to cut frequencies on every patches.

I don't think that it's either a good solution if you only play electric.... The low/high cut configuration varies following which cab/amp you use to offer good result....

 

I use to tweak it in the cab block's parameters patch by patch. Some adds an EQ block to do this......

 

Edit : DunedinDragon was faster.....  :)

[gunpointmetal]

Use the Global EQ to tweak for a room i.e. boomy/shrill/boxy. Do any patch-necessary EQ on each patch.

[jbuhajla]

I believe global EQ only effects the XLR and 1/4" outs if I am not mistaken, so it is intended for just making adjustments live to the particular room you are playing in. It does not effect USB out or the headphone out. 

 

My low/high cuts are done in the cab/IR block if I feel I need them. 

[HonestOpinion]

Personally I vary my EQ from snapshot to snapshot and use the Global EQ for adjusting to the room or PA. However, I don't think there is any one way to do things here. Some may prefer to set up presets with minimal EQ and cuts and use the Global EQ to sculpt their overall sound. Others may use the Global EQ to switch between different guitars or switch between say an FRFR or a guitar amp as their monitor although I prefer to set up alternate presets for these contingencies.

 

Global EQ can also be a useful tool when you are first starting out with the Helix to get a general idea of how to EQ your presets. That way you don't have to go back and edit every preset again as you gain experience with the device and get a better notion of how you want things dialed in. As you gain familiarity with the Helix you may want to turn the Global EQ off and edit each snapshot or presets' EQ individually. As has been pointed out the Global EQ can impact individual presets quite differently and some adversely - Global EQ is a blunt instrument compared to snapshot or preset level EQ. 

 

As usual with the Helix there is more than one way to go about things depending on your tone preferences, equipment, and the level of effort you are willing to expend crafting your sounds.