Alembic "Q" vs. Bartolini EZQ vs EMG VMC control-the GREAT debate

[Googe Endeveronte (goooge)]

well-last night after some ice cold brew-the great debate started and the wifes left the room.  
I have a few friends who happen to be bass players-i am a guitarist-anyway-the great debate started up about active electronics-
can anyone educate me (in somewhat layman terms)about what the difference is electronically between the alembic q , the bartonlini EZQ and the EMG VMC (variable midrange control)- i have never heard of the bart EZQ- though i have seen/heard basses with the 3 position mid range switch(which i was told is NOT the same thing)
anyway-we are still discussing this one this morning STILL-its going to be one of those topics and I unfortunately dont understand the electronics behind it all-so-i was kinda on the sideline taking it all in TRYING to make a point here and there-(they were few and far between-I was usually left asking anybody need a cold one??) any help is appreciated-thank you.

[Nate Pitts (cntrabssn)]

Hello Googe,
 
I'll try to answer your question. The EZQ in its typical configuration functions like the controls dedicated to one pickup on an Alembic Series II. It functions as an active low pass filter with continuously variable Q. One control varies the cut-off frequency of the filter, while the other controls the Q.
 
A low pass filter basically does what the name implies; below a certain cut-off frequency, the signal passes through the filter without being affected. Above that frequency, the filter behaves such that as the input signal frequency increases, the signal LEVEL at the filter output decreases. When the cut-off frequency is reduced, the signal passing though the filter sounds bassier.
 
The Q can be thought of as how much signal boost happens around the cut-off frequency before the filter starts rolling off. At higher Q settings, you'll hear a sound like a wah pedal if you sustain a note and play with the frequency control.  
 
My EZQ spec sheet says the frequency is variable from 600 to 5000Hz, and the boost at maximum Q is 20dB.
 
The EMG VMC is a Variable Midrange Control. It functions just like an active midrange control on some amplifiers. It allows you to boost or cut a small range of frequencies around a variable center frequency. The center frequency is variable from 300 to 3000Hz, and the level of boost or cut is variable to +/- 12dB (from the VMC spec sheet).
 
Anyway, I hope this answers your questions, and I didn't cause any more confusion.
 
Thanks,
 
nate.

[Googe Endeveronte (goooge)]

Thanks Nate- makes sense-I went to a local music store and checked out some basses with the VMC- still have not seen nor heard the Bart EZQ and the store folks were not familiar with it though they had one bass with the 3 position mid range switch on it. now that i have heard these I can relate to your explanation a bit more. They also had a parametric eq-which really helped me understand what was going on sonicly (did i spell that correctly)
I guess for bullets in my gun as far as my bass buddies arguement-I would now need to know the specs on the ALembic Q switch-I didnt see it on the site anywhere-anybody know??
thanks again Nate-
peace
Googe

[Paul Lindemans (palembic)]

Googe,
what Nate said is correct. You could also put it this way. In my feeling the control system on a SII and SI (the Q switches, variable or not) are in fact filtering. It means that they start from the natural sound coming out of the bass PU and cutting out pieces. What you cut -you filter- depends on how you set the controls. The Q switches are cutting or passing a certain part of the tone and for an certain db. With the click-switches this db is fixed, with the Variable switches the db is variable while you turn it. I feel that other sound control systems on guitars are actually ADDING things to the sound and not cutting, so they shape more. I'm not certain of this but it's a mere feeling I have.
Paul

[mica]

Here's the specs you were looking for, Googe:
 
The 2-position Q switch (Spoiler, Signature, Europa, more) gives you flat and 8dB boost.
 
The 3-position (Series I and EVH) offers flat, 6 and 9dB boost.
 
The CVQ's (Continuosly Variable Q) range is from 0-15dB.

[Googe Endeveronte (goooge)]

Thank you Mica-that helps tremendously-now all that is left is for me to hear a series 2 and an EZQ side by side and I can play lets argue basses with my low end register boys!!.

[Googe Endeveronte (goooge)]

Mica-could you post the variable range of the center frequency as Nate did above (i hope I said that right??)is this what the filter knob does? he states a range on the EZQ of 600 to 5000hz.  
 
thanks!-and if anyone knows where there is an alembic series 2(in a store) near atlanta-let me know-otherwise I am headin for south carolina!
 
peace
googe

[Nate Pitts (cntrabssn)]

Hello Googe,
 
I think the frequency range for the for the Series I and II filters is 600 to 6000Hz. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. That's the range of cut-off frequencies for the filter. The cut-off frequency is the point where the output of the filter is reduced by 3dB compared to the input. High frequencies are steadily rolled off at a rate defined by the design of the filter. Alembic uses a 2nd order low pass filter, which means the frequencies are rolled off at a rate of 12dB/octave.
 
Good luck trying to find an EZQ-equipped bass.
 
Thanks,
- nate.
 

[mica]

You're close - it's 350-6000Hz. On the Superfilter, the range is 45-6000Hz.

[Edwin Hurwitz (edwin)]

I have an EZ-Q and it's pretty cool. I had it in my Modulus Q6 with Lane Poor pickups, but since the LP pickups were so low in output, I went to a different system (3 band with switchable mids). It's different sounding that the Alembic Series system, but pretty nice. It also has  a bass boost function that comes in handy. Later this month I will be rebuilding my Q6 with removable top plates and I will be building multiple plates so I can swap different electronics systems in and out. When I get that done, I will be able to make a direct comparison.
 
Edwin

[Googe Endeveronte (goooge)]

wow-
first of all-thank you for responding-this club is very cool
Nate-I am going to have to have a print out of what you said and then hear these-and yes-it is difficult to find the EZQ-but I have more ammo than the others next time this arguement/discussion/obsession comes up
Mica- the super filter seems to be the mac daddy of them all eh?
Edwin-keep us posted-I believe I came upon your website once-are you the same person with the guild bass?- any plans to make it a {godfather II???} :-)))
thanks to all
Googe

[Michael DeVincenzo (jlpicard)]

Hey Googe, I have used  several EZQ's over the years in several basses that I have built so I have alot of experience with them. It is my circuit of choice ( after Alembic of course). I also have a Superfilter in my rack which I will not go without. There are more USEFUL tones in that thing than any other eq or toy that you can own! I'm sure that other owners of the SF-2 will back me up when I say that you can get lost tweaking for hours with that thing!I always get this silly grin on my face after using it.Like most Alembic equipment,it just seems to get better and better the more I use it.Try one .You'll be amazed!