Author Topic: Any one using a programmable digital Eq? (Read 138 times)

brianm · « **on:** December 02, 2005, 01:59:00 PM »

I'm thinking of buying a programmable digital Eq. I have an ART Night Bass pre amp, it has a section that has a 7 band Eq. I've built several pre sets in the Night Bass (using different Eq settings) that make my Alembics sound even greater than normal. I was thinking that a dedicated 24 or 30 band programmable Eq would allow me to do some even better tone shaping and store them in several different pre sets. I was hoping that I could get some recommendations from club members?

kmh364 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 03, 2005, 06:39:14 AM »

While I can't speak for everyone, nor do I have either a digital EQ or the following (although I'm thinking about picking up one), it appears that a lot of fellow Alembicians shape tone according to the gospel of Ron Wickersham: SF-2 Superfilter!

brianm · « **Reply #2 on:** December 03, 2005, 02:15:02 PM »

thank you for the reply kmh364. I've also been thinking about the super filter. Unfortunately the closest Alembic dealer here in Canada is over 1,000 miles away from me so the chances of actually previewing one is remote. I have a Series l so I've also been thinking of the F2-b mainly because it's stereo.

What I like about the concept of a programmable eq is having many different preset sounds available at the push of one button rather than searching for each sound over and over again.

kmh364 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 03, 2005, 02:28:43 PM »

Understood. I have a thread on here asking about similarities and differences between the F-1X and F-2B's because I have both stereo (Series I) and mono (Orion w/ EMW elecs.) Alembics.

There are plenty of threads on here about the SF-2...it's a crowd favorite. It's been explained as Series electronics on steroids in a rack mount. Some have even talked Ron into building into their basses.

Do a search and see what you come up with. I'm sure there are plenty of others on this site that will chime in with their two cents as well.

You can pick all three up for around $450USD late model used each, so if you don't like 'em you can always flip 'em and get your money back as they are all in demand and not real cheap at $900USD new each.

Digital EQ's w/presets are tough to come by. While it would be super-convenient just to press a button, digital tends to muck-up the sound IMHO.

Just look at Alembic's electronics...the best-sounding ones tend to have the most knobs. Great sounds can be had, but repeatability of settings is very tough.

bigredbass · « **Reply #4 on:** December 03, 2005, 04:58:38 PM »

BrianM:

Of course a SuperFilter is an entirely different breed of animal than a conventional graphic EQ, sounding very different, but not programmable.

I've seen digital EQs ganged in PA racks, and after seeing them in BIG guitar effects rack I'm thinking they must have been MIDI to where you could roate through preset EQ 'scenes' in concert with effects changes via a MIDI controller/footboard.

Unless you're going to use lots of different preset effects/tone effects, it might be a lot of $$$ for a not much use. Plus, a lot of the better rack effects for guitar are certainly usable for bass and include EQ that you can change inside the algorithms for the other effects in the chain. TC Electronic's G*Force and G*Major for instance include EQ along with all the reverbs, choruses, compressors, etc., and the G*Major is only $399 US. I'm familiar with TC, but I'm sure lots of them are built that way. While all the effects plus EQ may not be quite the same as separate units, it would sure cut down on your MIDI headaches trying to get the different rigs to talk to themselves.

J o e y

edwin · « **Reply #5 on:** December 03, 2005, 05:55:37 PM »

I have used the Behringer DEQ2496 and it works quite well. It can be had pretty cheap for what it is. It's not built to Alembic specs, quality wise, but in the pro audio world, it's considered one of the better sounding efforts from Behringer. It's got parametric and graphic components that are available simultaneously. Check it out!
Edwin

brianm · « **Reply #6 on:** December 04, 2005, 12:46:03 PM »

Thank you Edwin! I was looking at the Alesis digital EQs till you posted about the Behringer. I checked out the Behringer DEQ2496 and it looks pretty good for the price. I'm going to be building up my rack gear over the next six months I'm also thinking of getting either a used FX1 or FX2 (not sure which one yet). I've also been looking for a used Super Filter, hard to find though. I should have been born rich :-)

dnburgess · « **Reply #7 on:** December 04, 2005, 02:22:19 PM »

Samson has just released a programmable EQ which interfaces with a spectrum analyser and feedback manager. All seem very reasonably priced.