EQ: MXR 10 Band VS Parametric

[kingston11]

I wanted to pick up an EQ for my rec, just to experiment with.
I saw that BYOC has a kit for a Parametric EQ

What are the differences between the two, and which would be better for a rectifier? Any advice?

 

[Blaklynx]

Parametrics EQ's allow you to 'fine tune' or 'zero in' on particular fequencies that you decide on. Normal EQ's do not; they have preset frequencies. They both have their place.

A normal EQ with preset frequencies allows you more adjustment (boost/cut) of all the frequencies provided on the EQ but you cannot 'zero in' and 'fine tune' one particular frequency, whether the frequency is listed on the pedal or not. Any adjustment on a particular frequency will affect the adjacent frequencies by a given amount as set from the manufacturer. The Q curve is also preset that cannot be adjusted (obviously).

With a parametric EQ you choose a 'centre' frequency and adjust the Q control to affect how little or how much the adjacent frequencies get affected via boost or cut. The Q control allows you to adjust how broad or narrow the curve is from the centre frequency; if the Q curve is broad, more frequencies adjacent to the centre frequency is affected, if it's narrow, you can zoom right into the centre frequency which means less frequencies adjacent to the centre frequency are affected. This is an excellent way of finding troublesome frequencies and cutting them without affecting the broader frequency spectrum. A normal EQ cannot do this.

Think of a Q curve being adjustable from a mountain with a sharp peak to a very broad hill. Anything within the 'outline' of the curve is affected. A sharp peak (curve)=less adjacent frequencies affected. A broad curve=more adjacent frequencies affected.

A good parametric EQ should have Bass, Low Mid, Mid, High Mid, Treble. That's 5 centre frequency controls (unlike the 10 band which has 10 centre frequencies). It should have a Q control and boost/cut controls for all centre frequencies.

Both EQ's have their uses. Sometimes a 'smooth' EQ is required and that's where normal EQ's are handy. Sometimes a 'refined' EQ is required and that's where parametric EQ's are required.

Here's an example: You need to cut the 200Hz freqeuncy. With a normal EQ pedal, you find that it cuts too much bottom even with adjustment of the adjacent sliders slightly boosted, you just can't make it sound right. With a parametric, you can zero in the 200Hz, use a very narrow Q curve and cut. The adjacent frequencies aren't affected that much so your bottom end remains less affected.

As for which is better for the recto; not one is better than the other. They each do different things. Buy both......

 

[ElectricTurkey4369]

I had an MXR 10 band EQ for my recto, but i eventually sold it because I didn't like how it make my amp sound "unnatural". Mabye thats just my experience though.

The most I ever adjusted was the high frequencies a tad and cut a little of the bottom, but that's it.

 

[b0nkersx]

Parametrics EQ's allow you to 'fine tune' or 'zero in' on particular fequencies that you decide on. Normal EQ's do not; they have preset frequencies. They both have their place.

A normal EQ with preset frequencies allows you more adjustment (boost/cut) of all the frequencies provided on the EQ but you cannot 'zero in' and 'fine tune' one particular frequency, whether the frequency is listed on the pedal or not. Any adjustment on a particular frequency will affect the adjacent frequencies by a given amount as set from the manufacturer. The Q curve is also preset that cannot be adjusted (obviously).

With a parametric EQ you choose a 'centre' frequency and adjust the Q control to affect how little or how much the adjacent frequencies get affected via boost or cut. The Q control allows you to adjust how broad or narrow the curve is from the centre frequency; if the Q curve is broad, more frequencies adjacent to the centre frequency is affected, if it's narrow, you can zoom right into the centre frequency which means less frequencies adjacent to the centre frequency are affected. This is an excellent way of finding troublesome frequencies and cutting them without affecting the broader frequency spectrum. A normal EQ cannot do this.

Think of a Q curve being adjustable from a mountain with a sharp peak to a very broad hill. Anything within the 'outline' of the curve is affected. A sharp peak (curve)=less adjacent frequencies affected. A broad curve=more adjacent frequencies affected.

A good parametric EQ should have Bass, Low Mid, Mid, High Mid, Treble. That's 5 centre frequency controls (unlike the 10 band which has 10 centre frequencies). It should have a Q control and boost/cut controls for all centre frequencies.

Both EQ's have their uses. Sometimes a 'smooth' EQ is required and that's where normal EQ's are handy. Sometimes a 'refined' EQ is required and that's where parametric EQ's are required.

Here's an example: You need to cut the 200Hz freqeuncy. With a normal EQ pedal, you find that it cuts too much bottom even with adjustment of the adjacent sliders slightly boosted, you just can't make it sound right. With a parametric, you can zero in the 200Hz, use a very narrow Q curve and cut. The adjacent frequencies aren't affected that much so your bottom end remains less affected.

As for which is better for the recto; not one is better than the other. They each do different things. Buy both......

This is extremely informative. Honestly, I thought the exact opposite before reading this.

In any case, I have an MXR 10 band EQ. I used to use it with my recto and it was good and fun. I don't anymore, but I use it with other amps. It's a valuable tool. I want to fool around with it as a boost before the amp.. maybe as a mid-boost.

 

[domct203]

Great info here. I use both. I have a BYOC parametric (great pedal) in front of the amp to zero in on the resonant freq's of my axe, and an MXR 10 band in the loop of my Roadster for general sound shaping.

Dom

 

[kingston11]

Thanks!
I think I will just try both of them out!

 

[KH Guitar Freak]

I had an MXR 10 band EQ for my recto, but i eventually sold it because I didn't like how it make my amp sound "unnatural". Mabye thats just my experience though.

The most I ever adjusted was the high frequencies a tad and cut a little of the bottom, but that's it.

The trick is to go easy on the sliders. An extreme setting would make it sound unnatural indeed...