Author Topic: Good Equalization for Alembic? (Read 235 times)

pinbacking · « **on:** August 03, 2006, 12:22:38 PM »

I'm relatively new to recording and I was just wondering if anybody in the know could tell me what a good EQ is for Alembics. I love (as I'm sure everyone here does) the distinct middy quack tone of the alembic but I still want to get filling low frequency in as well. Also Im having trouble getting good sustain while recording. Any suggestions or questions before you give me suggestions? Thanks!

lbpesq · « **Reply #1 on:** August 03, 2006, 12:26:18 PM »

SF-2. 'nuff said.

http://www.alembic.com/prod/sf2.html

Bill, the guitar one

lothartu · « **Reply #2 on:** August 03, 2006, 02:10:07 PM »

As Bill says, a SF2.

I've never used one but from what I understand it gives you an insane amount of eq'ing power. From the way people describe it, it gives you the power to do anything, including ruining your tone if you don't know what you're doing.

I don't know if I really need one, but I want one.

- Jim

hb3 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 03, 2006, 08:07:48 PM »

Don't be scared -- plug it straight into the board.

You'd be surprised.

adriaan · « **Reply #4 on:** August 04, 2006, 02:54:08 AM »

If you're not getting good sustain then your strings are probably too far gone. Even with a bad setup, there should plenty of sustain in any Alembic.

Check the Must Read section for some excellent discussions on how to setup an Alembic. Joey's Post on Setting Up Your Bass

(Message edited by adriaan on August 04, 2006)

palembic · « **Reply #5 on:** August 04, 2006, 04:04:02 AM »

A SF-2 is a different kind-a-logic as other EQ's. The drummer in our band once saw me tweaking very minor corrections on the SF-2. He was completely blown away by the vast tone changements that came as a result!
When I am performing in bars or so and there is a bassplayer coming over to have a look ...they really don't get how it works.
It's a different kind-o-logic.
When mastered ...VERY effective!
But ...it takes time ...
and tweaking ...
a LOT of tweaking!
If you are the lineair thinking guy ...normal EQ's are the way to go!
SF-2's are more circular-thinking devices.
It sounds funny ...I know ...but that's the way I can talk about it!

Paul TBO

pinbacking · « **Reply #6 on:** August 04, 2006, 11:17:19 AM »

Good advice, but I'm pretty sure my strings are fine (DR low-riders) and relatively new. It definitely could be a setup issue and maybe I need to get get it checked out. I don't think it has as much to do with the bass itself as it does with signals. Maybe in awhile I'll get an SF-2 (like, a long while, I may own an alembic but I'm not loaded!). The bass has good attack and a long but quiet sustain but the signal strength that the output is picking up is weak. I bought a Boss Compression pedal yesterday and that helps strengthen the signal a ton, so I think I'm ok for now. As for EQ'ing I'm wondering if anybody has any magic frequencies that they like to work with, I'm finding that adding somewhere around 9dB to 50Hz-250Hz is good and letting the lo-mid and high mid slope down after it. Gives me good thickness and it doesn't sound too honky on the mids, nice tone but not too muddy. If anybody has any suggestions I would love to hear them.

mpisanek · « **Reply #7 on:** August 04, 2006, 11:34:15 AM »

I have just adjusted my spoiler using the internal adjustment inside the electronics cavity. This drastically increased the audible sustain of the instrument. It seems to have given the spoiler a new life. It has made a major difference for me.

lbpesq · « **Reply #8 on:** August 04, 2006, 12:02:35 PM »

Royce:

Have you tried adjusting the preamp trim pot in the electronics cavity? As Michael notes, it can make a very dramatic difference in the output signal level.

Bill, tgo

pinbacking · « **Reply #9 on:** August 04, 2006, 01:15:20 PM »

Well, I'll try. Is there any primer on it that I can read first? I'm technical enough but I don't want to get in there without knowing what to do : )

David Houck · « **Reply #10 on:** August 04, 2006, 01:17:36 PM »

Yes, there is some info in the FAQ & Must Reads section.

matthew90046 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 05, 2006, 12:34:18 AM »

How does your bass sound out of your amp?
Do you hear a middy quack from your amp?

I ask because... as you are new to recording... It may be other factors.

You should never have to add +9dB to anything to make it sound good unless you are going for some kind of effect.

jseitang · « **Reply #12 on:** August 05, 2006, 09:07:00 AM »

SF-2

there is no other....

pinbacking · « **Reply #13 on:** August 05, 2006, 11:06:01 AM »

It sounds good out of the amp. I adjusted the pots and it did a little to the signal strength but not the sustain. It might be a setup issue. It might also have to do how I play though. I pop most of my notes instead of rolling them off and I think that strong attack makes the sustain shorter in general. SF-2 for later, my Compression pedal works for now and it doesn't sacrifice that much tone at all : ). I guess I just have to play around with it some more, but thanks to everyone for the helpful advice!

David Houck · « **Reply #14 on:** August 06, 2006, 09:56:46 AM »

As Adriaan said, it seems unlikely that lack of sustain is a setup issue. I suppose to some degree pickup height will have an effect on sustain, but probably not to the degree that you seemed to be concerned about. I doubt that your sustain problem is related to the bass itself, unless it was the strings, which you've indicated are new. So, I'm wondering what else is in the signal chain. For instance, some boards have a low frequency rolloff filter switch.

Author Topic: Good Equalization for Alembic? (Read 235 times)

mpisanek