Dialing in a parametric EQ

[Bosko]

Any tips on how to efficiently dial in a parametric EQ? I would like to shape my clean tone to compensate when using different amps. I have a 3 band WMD parametric EQ - the bands are interactive,
Thanks.

[Donnd]

First tip is to cut, not boost. Second, learn to find “offending” frequency bands by boosting then narrow the Q so you can make a surgical cut. For guitar you can generally cut out low sub 200 Hz to reduce rumble and also at the high end a bit to reduce hiss. The tricky part is the mid range frequencies where just a little boost can work magic.

one thing I like with DAW plugin PEqs is saving my presets for a specific guitar. I end up with several presets and can quickly compare them. I guess one final tip is to use headphones and near field monitors when doing this to get something that sounds good for both. That can be frustrating since rooms have a big effect on perceived bass in particular.

if you find you need to do a lot of EQ, then rethink your basic recording technique. EQ is not going to fix everything. A lot of times, I go through adding EQ, compression, reverb….then end up liking the pure unadulterated sound and muting all the plugins. Less is always better since all this stuff will color the sound to some extent.

[omphalopsychos]

Check out this video. He walks through the manual of the empress pedal, which is similar to the wmd.

[bluejaybill]

Check out this video. He walks through the manual of the empress pedal, which is similar to the wmd.

I will check that video out, but they are not that similar, the Empress has a lot more bells and whistles. I especially like the high and low shelves on that unit along with using just one para band for mids. Great for dialing in a full jazz sound quickly and easliy.

The WMD has three bands of parametric that overlap quite a bit. It is easy to double up two bands and get a huge boost (or cut) by accident.

The bands are:
Low 31 - 1.6k
Mid 100 - 4.8k
High 300 - 16k

Those are much wider bands than the Empress. You could have all 3 bands set to 300hz! In some respects they are maybe too wide, but if you stay in the middle range of each you should be OK.

With the WMD, I would start with the middle band and mainly work with it from around 10-11 to 1-2 o'clock. That is the main middle band that we as guitarists are interested in usually, though not always. Below that you are in the bass region, and above in the treble. As someone said, make a narrow "Q" and sweep that range, you will find the main mid frequencies.

After that, bass (left of center) and treble (right of center) are the next to check out. I think you will find that once you find your sweet spots, you won't be using too much of the frequency range, except for extraordinary circumstances, or special effects.

Good luck!

[Spook410]

Just a bit of encouragement. Many think EQ controls on amps are adequate. When, in fact, they are almost always awful. A good EQ pedal may be the single most important piece of gear you can run when it comes to getting the sound out of the amp to reflect what's in your head. Keep at it.. it gets easier and easier.