Graphic Eq Vs Parametric
Today I am going to take a stab at helping you understand what an EQ pedal is, how they work, and if you really even need one at all before rushing out the door to buy one.
One of the things I’ve noticed after 20+ years of playing is that I still find myself tinkering and tweaking my sound looking for that tone that just jumps out at me and says I’m here keep me! Finding your tone can be a tedious task that can take quite some time to perfect.
I have a opinionated question, but I would like a suggestion on the comparisson of Graphic EQ's Versus Parametric EQ's and there uses in creating music and mixes. 1st off Yes I am a novice at this and I'm trying to learn the key aspects about mixing for a novice. My G-major has a parametric EQ, which I use a little. It also is running through my effects loop. I was thinking of bypassing this (because it's a bit.
Generally speaking, you can usually get pretty close with your amp. But then there’s that moment where you say yeah.it sounds good, it just needs something.
That moment is where an equalizer pedal needs to enter your life.
Like most effects, an EQ pedal can be looked at as another tool in the toolbox and like most tools; you need to know how to use them correctly. And the EQ is not exactly like a hammer in this analogy.
Pedals like an overdrive or a distortion are straightforward for the most part; you plug in, crank the gain and you’re off. An EQ tends to have a few more moving parts and because of this these pedals tend to be misunderstood and misused. But when you understand equalization and know how to use it correctly, you can take your sound to a whole new level.
I hope that this guide can prove to be helpful in making the decision if you need an EQ pedal in the first place.
What is an EQ Pedal
Graphic Eq Vs Parametric Standard
Contents
- How Does an EQ Pedal work
- Graphic Equalizers Vs Parametric Equalizers
- Reasons To Use An EQ Pedal
- Do You Really Need an EQ Pedal?
Parametric Equalizer Settings
In its simplest form, an eq pedal is exactly what the name says.
It’s an equalizer stuffed into a bypassable foot pedal…
The EQ in the pedal allows you to boost or cut the gain of a particular frequency (or range of frequencies) making that frequency band either louder or quieter in the overall signal.
Take the guitar for example.
The guitar is primarily a mid-range dominant instrument but can produce sounds anywhere from about 80 Hz to about 1200 Hz on the frequency spectrum.
Given that frequency range, quite a lot can happen to your sound. Your amplifier is usually limited to a 3 band graphic eq and can be rather broad in what frequencies are being cut or boosted so in the event your amplifier is not cutting it, an EQ pedal will help fill in the gaps and clean up your sound.
How Does an EQ Pedal work
If you are new to the concept of equalization there are a few terms you need to know and understand before any of this will start to make any sense. Otherwise, you may want to skip over this section
Frequency Range
The frequency range can be thought of as a specific section out of the human range of hearing. Humans have the ability to hear anywhere between 20 Hertz all the way up to 20,000 Hertz, some of us way less depending on how long you like to play your amp on 11 with no ear protection.
But that’s another post.
In the case of EQ pedals, the frequency range is usually tailored to the frequencies that your particular instrument is capable of producing as opposed to giving you the entire spectrum like you would find on studio equalizers.
The Boss GE7 is designed specifically for the guitar and has a frequency range of 100 Hz to 6.4 kHz. Most of the frequencies that can be produced by the guitar are going to be covered, anything above or below this frequency range would be a waste of time and resources as the instrument is not really capable of producing tones outside of those ranges.
The Boss GEB7, for example, is designed specifically for bass, therefore, the frequency range starts at a lower point than the GE7 at 50 Hz since the bass sits lower in the frequency spectrum.
Center Frequency
Look at the image above. You will notice that at the bottom of each slider you will see a number. This number represents the center point at which that particular frequency will be altered. This is known as the center frequency.
Let’s take the 400 Hz slider as an example.
To the left of the slider, you will see 200 and to the right, you will see 800.
In this case, the 400 Hz slider would be the center frequency because adjusting this will also affect the surrounding frequencies depending on the bandwidth or Q of that frequency.
What is Frequency Bandwidth (Q)
Frequency bandwidth this is the width of the frequency band being adjusted for
Let’s look back at our previous example with the 400 Hz Slider.
Even though I’m adjusting the 400 Hz frequency band, doing so will also affect a narrow or wide range of frequencies adjacent to the center 400 Hz frequency, potentially dipping a little into the 350 Hz up into the 600 Hz range. This is also commonly referred to as the Q.
Graphic Equalizers Vs Parametric Equalizers
EQs are typically going to be either a graphic equalizer or a parametric equalizer. Each will give you a variety of adjustable frequency bands and for the most part are very similar.
Graphic EQ
Graphic EQs are your most common type of equalizer and will boost or cut predetermined frequency bands.
This means that the center band is fixed on their exact center frequency and the bandwidth cannot be adjusted. These are the equalizers typically found on your amplifier labeled as bass, mids, and treble.
Parametric EQ
A parametric EQ functions the same as a graphic eq but with the added ability to modify the Q from wide to narrow. Allowing you to more precisely fine-tune the range of frequencies you are trying to address or even completely isolate and modify an individual frequency.
Reasons To Use An EQ Pedal
Equalizers can be used to achieve a wide variety of things like dialing out certain trouble frequencies in your signal chain, boosting your overall volume, shaping your gain structure, all the way down to fine-tuning and dialing out imperfections in the room you are playing in.
1. Fine Tuning
Say you have the bass knob on your amp set to 0 and are still getting a b
By using an EQ Pedal, you can go to the lower end of the frequency spectrum and cut those trouble frequencies by lowering the amount of volume reproduced by that particular frequency band.
Or, say you are an acoustic player and want to accentuate things like pick attack, string gloss, or finger plucks, you can move toward the upper midrange area (2 to 6 kHz) and boost those frequencies to make them a little more prominent in the overall sound.
2. Consistency
When you move your amp into a different room, it will more than likely sound completely different than what it did when you were practicing in your bedroom due to the reflective properties of the wall and size of the room.
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An EQ pedal at the end of the chain will help eq your tone to the room and help you sound consistent as you go from gig to gig.
3. Boost
You can essentially do the same thing with an eq pedal as a boost pedal, with the added ability to be able to customize the frequencies being boosted. Country players can give the mids a boost to bring out a little more twang.
4. EQ for Metal Tones
What Is Parametric Eq
For metal players that have a brutal distortion but happens to sound a little too muddy for their style; An EQ pedal will allow you to scoop out some of
Akk this with the added benefit of being able to boost the drive.
If you have a low-tuned guitar and are going after that Periphery / Meshuggah kind of sound; an EQ pedal can help get you close.
Just lower the frequencies gradually to the left starting from around 800 Hz and lower the amount of bass going into the amplifier. This will tighten up your sound and keep the mud out of the mix.
5. Feedback Elimination
Most feedback destroyers are essentially equalizers. The way they work is the analyze your signal and detect what frequency is causing the feedback and cuts that particular trouble frequency.
You can essentially do the same thing with an EQ pedal only difference is it’s not automatic. This comes in handy with acoustic players fighting with soundhole feedback on stage. An eq
WHERE DO I PLACE AN EQ IN THE SIGNAL CHAIN
EQ pedals are generally used as a corrective measure to cut out troublesome frequencies or to boost up those lost by other effects in the signal chain.
It’s for that reason they can conceivably be placed anywhere in the chain to target specific problem areas.
- Placing an EQ first in the signal chainallows you to reshape the sound of a guitar’s pickups ahead of any effects.
- EQ Before distortion means you can select the frequencies you want the distortion to emphasize.
- Placing EQ after distortion is really useful if the distortion creates harshness at certain frequencies that you would like to dial back.
EQ is one of those effects where you have to have a specific purpose to use it. Once you pinpoint where your trouble spots are, that’s where you can place the eq in to start fixing the problem.
Do You Really Need an EQ Pedal?
In reality, there is no yes or no answer to this question.
It comes down to your situation and what you are looking to achieve. If you have an out of control distortion or fuzz pedal and would like to tame the other side, then yes you will totally benefit from one.
If you tour and go from room to room constantly and would like to keep your sound consistent without relying on the sound tech, then yes you can definitely benefit.
If you are just an every day Joe kinda person noodling around in the garage, you’re probably not going to gain a lot from an EQ Pedal outside of the boost capabilities.
9 times out of 10 you can get what you are after with your amp and tone controls alone. But like I said earlier, an EQ pedal should be treated as a tool more than an effect and if you need that little extra something, then this is what you are after.