Master of Tone

With 15 dB of available boost or cut per band (that’s a lot!), the EQ700’s seven frequency bands have been carefully optimized to provide the ultimate tools for EQing the guitar. Of course, to make full use of the EQ700’s capabilities, it helps to first understand some basics about the frequency range of your axe.

The EQ700 covers the audio spectrum from below 100 Hz to over 6.4 kHz, allowing you to effectively cut or boost specific frequencies to help focus your sound. Special attention has been paid to the critical midrange frequencies, which can make or break your tone. The following section offers tips that will have you sculpting the perfect guitar sound in no time at all.

Understanding EQ

Most performers don’t have a clue about what good equalization can do for their sound. Maybe you’ve heard the old maxim, “Make a sine-wave to get really good sound,” or “Make a smiley-face, that always works.” Sadly, this qualifies as advice from the uninformed. Just as every room is unique, so is every musical instrument. Even guitars made by the same manufacturer, using the same materials, on the same day can vary a great deal.

People provide a good example of this principal—although we are all similar, we don’t all wear the same size shoes, or even have the same color eyes. There is no one “perfect” equalization curve that fits every scenario; equalization is dynamic.

Applying EQ to the Guitar

Most acoustic and electric guitar energy lies between 100 Hz and 6.4 kHz. Even slight changes in this range can cause a tremendous variation in overall energy and impact, as the human ear is especially sensitive to this range.

Boosting frequencies around 200 Hz - 400 Hz often provides warmth and body, while boosting frequencies in the 3.2 kHz - 6.4 kHz range adds clarity to clean guitar signals. Depending on the amount of distortion, this same range can ruin the sound of an overdriven electric guitar by adding harsh harmonics.

One of the most common mistakes is adding too much bass to acoustic guitars. If the low frequencies are boosted excessively, acoustics can easily get lost in the overall mix. Most acoustic guitars are also prone to feedback in the 200 Hz - 400 Hz range.

A general rule of thumb—the best results are often achieved by finding and reducing the frequency bands that are offending, and then turning up the overall volume, rather than boosting one specific band.

How the specific frequency bands of the EQ700 can shape your sound

• 100 Hz (low bass)
  Boost: To add fullness to guitars, especially clean electrics
  Cut: To reduce muddy or boomy tone and control acoustic guitar feedback

• 200 Hz (soft bass)
  Boost: To increase the warmth of all guitars and provide a slightly harder sound
  Cut: To increase clarity and reduce feedback in acoustic guitars

• 400 Hz (hard bass)
  Boost: To add definition to rhythm parts
  Cut: To reduce feedback in acoustic guitars (This is a major feedback zone for piezo-equipped flattops)

• 800 Hz
  Boost: To add an aggressive edge to the overall sound
  Cut: For reducing the nasal or horn-like content, often referred to as the “cheap guitar” syndrome

• 1.6 kHz
  Boost: To make the guitar cut through the mix. Creates a more distinctive plucked tone
  Cut: To eliminate dullness and competition with vocals (vocal fundamentals occupy the range from about 1.0 kHz - 2.5 kHz)

• 3.2 kHz
  Boost: To add significant attack to all guitars. Creates an even more distinctive plucked tone
  Cut: To eliminate harshness

• 6.4 kHz
  Boost: To add edge and increase brightness to all guitars
  Cut: To soften thin-sounding guitars and remove string squeak