anybody use External EQ units with thier RM4

[new2randall]

With all my other amps in the past, I always got the same complaint from my other bandmates and it was, "your tone is mushy and doesn't cut through the mix" so on my last set up which was a Trademark 300 from Tech 21 (yeah I know, not a tube amp), I put in an Eq in my signal chain and that helped me cut through the mix but it sounded like ***, a very brittle harsh trebley sound. so my question is how many of you RM4 guys feel the need to use Eq units with your setup? Keep in mind that I'm using the Gmajor as my effects processor and the Classic 50/50 Peavey as my Power amp and it has a ressonance and presence control on it. I don't have my new setup in place yet, just wondering if I'll be able to get by without using an EQ... sometimes less is more but if I do have to use one I have a rackmount EQ and I also have the standard Boss 7 band pedal eq unit, where would I put an EQ in my signal chain?... Effects loop? just before the poweramp? between the RM4 and The effects Unit?

 

[JKD]

If this complaint is consistent across amps it's time to start looking at how you dial your amps in....

 

[new2randall]

If this complaint is consistent across amps it's time to start looking at how you dial your amps in....

Valid comment, although I've factored that in but not until my last setup and it didn't seem to matter much where I set my bass, mid, Treble knobs, the last set up was a Tradmark 300 which is an all "analog" 300 watt amp, but still not a tube amp. I ran it through a Marshall 4x12 slant cab and my main axe is a PRS CE 24, mahagany body/maple cap, maple neck, switched out the stock pickups for Seymours if any of that can have anything to do with mushy tone I don't know?

 

[raz311]

What speakers are you using? I would suggest getting a different cab

 

[Soulinsane]

I always found that guitar tones are heard distinctively in a mix via mid range freqs. Highs and lows also important to tone but mids are where a guitar stands out in a band. Mids are a very complicated and wide band of freqs, but not impossible to master. The sweet spot takes time to target and isn't always the best sounding to the player while standing in front of a stack. An EQ helps cut noise and boost tone when used correctly in a band mix setting.

TIP: It is better to cut a specific freq than to boost all the others to compensate, so start at zero on you EQ and cut before you boost.

 

[Steven Latch]

I bought, traded and sold many modules until I could rely as less a possible on EQ.

I use the G-Major's post eq, and while it's great, it's hardly convenient for live adjustements. I now have modules that match the rest of my rig and my personal tastes so the only EQ I now use is a 3db 1000hz cut on the grail module for the scooped metal sound.

But I definitely recommend the G-Major's eq. 3 parametric bands is all you need to completely remodel your sound. Just be warned that a given post EQ preset may not work everywhere.

 

[axecellent]

+1 to Soulinsane's tip regarding cut before boost. Usually what winds up happening is you boost something that squashes someone else, then they turn up. Then the band's live sound turns into a "shouting match" between instruments.

As for your original post, I use a Presonus EQ-3B. It's a great little box with an 80Hz HP (helps keep a phat low end from turning into mud) and a bypass. This thing is very usefull since I don't yet have a loop switcher/selector device. I use the EQ-3B to scoop the mids when I practice and then disengage when in a group so that my mids come through.

I also use a stereo 7-band graphic from an old home stereo system. Although its frequency centers are not 'guitar friendly', it can still do wonders for cleaning up my tone and giving an overall shape to it. I run both EQ's in the serial loop of the amp.

I have the Boss EQ pedal as well. I don't use it that often since mine is pretty noisy. But you can use yours to switch your tone from 'bedroom' to 'live mix' to help cut through the live mix.

Thomas

 

[maximus1]

get rid of that eq, you don't need it. start using some mids what modules are you using? and where is your peresence and density set at?