Graphic Equalizers

[Geekling]

Today, I set out to get a graphic equalizer for my FOH setup. I visited all the local shops I like, but everywhere I went, their would only be one or two available selections, with the salespeople saying most had been discontinued. At one shop in particular, the owner referred to the stereo 31 band eq as "dinosaur" technology. Has the graphic eq gone out of style in the pro audio marketplace? What are most people getting to replace the functionality of a graphic EQ?

[bouldersoundguy]

Digital eq is becoming popular, either standalone or integrated into a digital speaker processor.

Still, I would hope someone would carry a common item like a decent dbx third octave analog eq. What brands/models did you see?

[Geekling]

So, If Ive got smaart and a linear mic, I can manually do what a digital processor can with a good eq, correct?

The only brands I saw were Samson, Behringer, and Phonic. The only samson gear Ive used has been an amplifier, and it seemed overrated and overpriced. I may grab a behringer, just because for the price I can use it as a paperweight and it will still be a decent value. I have never heard of phonic until then, but honestly it looked like a ripoff of the behringer fbq3102... and I'm not digging the idea of a ripoff of a ripoff.

[bouldersoundguy]

Originally Posted by Geekling

So, If Ive got smaart and a linear mic, I can manually do what a digital processor can with a good eq, correct?

To a point, but a parametric will do much more than a graphic can do. A 1/3 octave eq just has filters spaced 1/3 octave apart, it doesn't really say anything about the width of the filters. Since they are fixed filters you can't address a problem that occurs between two of them without also affecting a lot of other material in the signal.

I use a graphic as a convenience for use during a show, for relatively crude adjustments. I use a measurement mic and software to set parametric filters before a show for very precise corrections.

Originally Posted by Geekling

The only brands I saw were Samson, Behringer, and Phonic. The only samson gear Ive used has been an amplifier, and it seemed overrated and overpriced. I may grab a behringer, just because for the price I can use it as a paperweight and it will still be a decent value. I have never heard of phonic until then, but honestly it looked like a ripoff of the behringer fbq3102... and I'm not digging the idea of a ripoff of a ripoff.

That doesn't seem like a good selection. Maybe you could get something from an online retailer. I think Behringer's digital speaker processor and digital eq are actually decent products compared to some of their other stuff. I haven't had much luck with their analog eqs.

[Geekling]

At the moment, I would probably describe most of my entire sound system as crude. Thankfully, the people that hire me don't seem to mind thanks to my price. What kind of software/parametric would you recommend for budget systems?

Yeah, that's what will likely happen. I try to buy locally first from dealers I like, but ebay is looking better.

[bouldersoundguy]

Originally Posted by Geekling

At the moment, I would probably describe most of my entire sound system as crude. Thankfully, the people that hire me don't seem to mind thanks to my price. What kind of software/parametric would you recommend for budget systems?

The Behringer DSP1124P functions passably as a parametric eq. Do you want to get into measurement and computer control or just set it by ear? Parametric eqs are not as intuitive as graphic eqs, so it helps to be able to measure system response and have an objective idea of what to do. I use a Behringer measurement mic (as cheap as they come), a laptop with REW, a USB MIDI adapter and a USB audio interface.

[Geekling]

That sounds sweet, Ill have to try it.

[sabianq]

graphic EQ..

yea, any live professional system should have a pair in the chain before the power amps.

you should look at Ashly http://www.ashly.com

hands down, for the price, they make the best equipment on the planet.
and they make 94% of their gear in New York>.

their analogue Graphic EQs are constant Q, their Digital Protea systems are amazing..
I just wish they made their PEQ still.

[sabianq]

bouldersoundguy is correct when he talks about using a parametric.
i have the pqx-527 and i love it.

you can dial in a "Q" so tight it will only affect a single frequency.. this will let you drop a resonance frequency by a huge amount and it wont even affect you overall sound.

alternatively you can set the "Q" to wide and dip a whole slew of frequencies..

i greatly prefer a parametric over a graphic when it comes to live sound any day..

[sabianq]

go to eBay and type in "ashly"...

[sabianq]

here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ASHLY-PQX-572-ST...item4aa1f28323

[Bops2000]

My novice opinion for live mixing, for what it's worth:

I looked at digital EQ's as well as the Ashley EQ.
If I ran with a digital in a live situation, without a second
pair of hands, I figured it is a potential for chaos.

The Ashly was a bit too expensive for a standard eq,
I am sure it is well worth the money.

I chose the ART HQ-231, I was looking at the Alesis DEQ, but, I couldn't see,
swapping through templates to solve an immediate problem; that could turn to a bigger problem, (train wreck).

Again, in a live situation, I am riding faders all through the show.
I don't have time to figure out multiple issues in the mains, a quick glance
at the ART, cues me to a possible culprit.
then I can play with the board settings as well.

[bouldersoundguy]

Originally Posted by Bops2000

If I ran with a digital in a live situation, without a second pair of hands, I figured it is a potential for chaos.

What's more important than digital/analog is the interface. You just need something easy to use when distracted by all the other stuff going on.

[Geekling]

For now, I went ahead and purchased an analog 1/3 octave stereo eq with feedback location on the faders. That's about as much control as I figure can aid my setup. Also, as mentioned earlier, it will be easier to tweak live (and easier to recover from butterfinger problem).

Although the parametric with midi control sounds awesome (and is something I'm definitely going to try in my "studio" in the next month or so), I don't think my gear is really good enough to justify such a setup. Also, I have terrible luck with computers in live environments. I typically run one laptop with smaart monitoring the system, and another to provide background music, and I have more problems with those two than I do with any other part of my rig.

[Bops2000]

Good Call geek, KISS is the keyword here.