Hi, I recently bought an Eq2 pedal from Source Audio.
By looking around I found this:
- 80 Hz - 200 Hz: Energy & Fullness
- 200 Hz - 500 Hz: Muddiness & Boxiness
- 500 Hz - 1 kHz: Punch & Intelligibility
- 1kHz to 5 kHz: Attack, Harmonics, Clarity
Knowing this, I’m wondering how to configure my frequency bands. First, I’m looking for something simple to get to grips with the pedal, and I was wondering if there were any best practices for setting the frequency bands. For example, for the lowest part, is it better to set 2 bands, one at 80, the other at 200? Put a band in the middle? (80 + (200-80)/2 = 140)?
Another idea I had was to use the bands defined on a graphic Eq like MXR 10 Bands (31.25, 62.5, 125, 250, 500, 1K, 2K, 4K, 8K, 16K)
Thanks!!
The context you’re playing in should be an important factor.
Just playing alone at home, pick whatever sounds nice to you.
Jamming with the band? Consider the kick drum and how low the guitars like to play. Try to put your EQ bands somewhere they won’t be in constant conflict.
The genre you are playing might also demand more or less sub bass. Generally busier bass section means less emphasis on sub bass, while simpler can get away with more sub bass. It depends though.
Other instruments (if there are any) will demand room in the mids and higher frequencies, so you may cut your bass’s high end to give them room. Or you may decide to have a band in the high end if your bass / genre demands it, to allow you to cut through the mix.
Personally I would start with a band in the sub region around 60hz, and another in low mids around 200-300hz and adjust from there. And don’t obsess about it too much until you’re considering the impact in a mix.