Thoughts on EQ in a loop

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Brandonrz

Brandonrz

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Just seeing opinions here. We all see amp discussions on something that isn’t a right fit for someone, then they get encouraged to get an eq pedal in the loop to “fix” the amp. My opinion is if it needs an eq for me to like the way it sounds, it’s not for me. I’ll boost my stuff, don’t get me wrong but thats the extent of it. Thoughts….?
 
It's typically good for adding some low-end (lean sounding Marshalls anyone?), tame some honky mids or screechy top, but not to change the whole character or 'grain' of an amp.

An EQ in the loop is hardly different than the graphic EQ's that Mesa Marks and some VHT/Fryettes have; those are also post pre-amp section.
 
Yes.

Find one that can handle the levels - I love using the MXR108S or whatever it's called - the silver one with stupid-bright blue LED indicators.
 
Bram576 said:
My opinion is if it needs an eq for me to like the way it sounds, it’s not for me. I’ll boost my stuff, don’t get me wrong but thats the extent of it. Thoughts….?
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So, you're essentially using Pre-EQ but Post-EQ is where you draw the line? EQ is a tool. I use it if I want to. My amps don't need a boost/Pre-EQ nor Post-EQ because of their design but it's nice to have the option.
 
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I think they can fine tune but any more than that and it just doesn't sound natural to me.

I also find that at the ends of the spectrum I almost always want a subtle roll off...so a HPF at one end and a LPF at the other...pretty simple. But there's all sorts of critical information between those two extremes that needs to be massaged just so (and judiciously) to be perfect.
 
Being anti boost or EQ in the loop is just silly to me. I’ve seen a few anti-boosters lately on forums finally try and see the light after playing all their lives without. I see guys complain about their amps that a few 1-2db at certain frequencies would open the amp up into a monster but guys rather just get another amp. I can guarantee most every recorded tone we hear has some eq going on either at the board or in post or wherever.
 
Yeah, I can see it from both sides. But even when I’m mixing it in the studio, if I’m eq ing a tone like crazy to get it to sit in the mix… I start over from the reamp stage. Things begin to sound unnatural if an excessive amount of eq is needed. All about using boosts and or hpf, lpf. But I tend to stop there.
 
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SpiderWars said:
I think they can fine tune but any more than that and it just doesn't sound natural to me.
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I should clarify, the EQ on a Mesa Mark series amp is way more interactive and "a part of" the whole picture than any 'EQ in the loop' has ever been for me. So I am separating the two. There is something different about the Mesa onboard EQ vs an 'in the loop' EQ that I can't elaborate on (just not enough experience). @psychodave and others have first hand experience with that tho.

So my statement above is about EQ's in the loop. I can get pretty drastic with a Mesa Mark series EQ and it will sound good but an MXR in the loop cant do that imo. It can only do subtle tweeks...and still sound natural.
 
If you're lucky enough to find an amazing tone, who cares how you get there?

The first 10 or so Marks I had I "expected" to just plug in & have them kill in my live metal band mix. They were all soft & boxy, so I sold them. Eventually I figured out that I needed to add a good boost & a PEQ, and then they killed it!!
 
I love vanilla ice cream. Could eat it all the time. Grew up loving homemade vanilla ice cream.
Sometimes I'll have some chocolate syrup on it. Makes it tastes yummy in a different way.

My car has stock wheels and tires.
I've seen the same car with different wheels and tires on it. I thought it looked very cool.

My old lady still has her stock tits. They are still fun to play with.
But I wouldn't be adverse to her getting some bolt-ons.

I upgraded my fleshlight with a Briggs and Stratton go-cart motor.

All that being said...I love my Ultralead, Herbert, Marshalls, KSR Gemini etc stock. Just plugging straight in with just a gate to tame the noise.
That wouldn't stop me from trying a boost or eq in the loop to get something I needed out of them when live or recording. And I have certainly let amps go after realizing it wasn't for me (cough...ISP Theta head...cough). But I have also seen/heard amps "come alive" with an eq in the loop on many occasions. IMO I don't care how you get there. Dime found his tone by over processing the fuck out of it,and whether you love it or hate it....it worked for him and is easily recognizable.
 
SpiderWars said:
I should clarify, the EQ on a Mesa Mark series amp is way more interactive and "a part of" the whole picture than any 'EQ in the loop' has ever been for me. So I am separating the two. There is something different about the Mesa onboard EQ vs an 'in the loop' EQ that I can't elaborate on (just not enough experience). @psychodave and others have first hand experience with that tho.

So my statement above is about EQ's in the loop. I can get pretty drastic with a Mesa Mark series EQ and it will sound good but an MXR in the loop cant do that imo. It can only do subtle tweeks...and still sound natural.
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If the loop can't do 100% wet there's one possible problem why using it with an EQ doesn't sound natural. There's nothing special about the Mesa Mark graphic EQ but different Qs and frequency bands do matter and I prefer an old rack EQ over the MXR for example because I can accurately dial in the frequency and Q I'd like to adjust while others are perfectly fine with the bands the MXR offers. Digital EQs are a lot more convenient in that regard but I like to keep it analog with some amps even though I'd the Axe and I'm currently staring at my Helix Rack while writing this. :dunno:
 
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My guitar room aka "studio" is fairly large, and I've found positioning my cabs in different spots drastically changes the tone and low end response. An EQ in the loop helps me fine tune to the room, as well as to where I am positioned in relation to the cabinet.

Over the years it has become an essential tool for me, not just for the above tweaks but for getting the most out of any amp. I don't doubt that many players have found the tone they are looking for without one, but after dropping $3500 on a Carstens Grace and realizing I just couldn't get it sounding right with only B/M/T/P (it has no effects loop), I was pretty disappointed and vowed to never buy an amp without an effects loop again. That includes Larry amps (as mentioned above, parallel loops don't work properly with an EQ OR a noise gate).
 
I'm a huge Dime fan so he opened my ears to an EQ in the loop. I love an MXR 10 band in the loop of most of my amps for a little tweaking. But it really depends on the amp. It's great for adding lowend to an unmodded Marshall or makin a cheap Randall sound like razor blades. But it can make some amps just sound harsh and processed. I think it may depend on how the amps effects loop is placed or setup.
 
cetanu said:
If the loop can't do 100% wet there's one possible problem why using it with an EQ doesn't sound natural. There's nothing special about the Mesa Mark graphic EQ but different Qs and frequency bands do matter and I prefer an old rack EQ over the MXR for example because I can accurately dial in the frequency and Q I'd like to adjust while others are perfectly fine with the bands the MXR offers. Digital EQs are a lot more convenient in that regard but I like to keep it analog with some amps even though I'd the Axe and I'm currently staring at my Helix Rack while writing this. :dunno:
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The onboard Mesa GEQ’s add a LOT to that sound. They add magic and that “Boogie” sound. Their GEQ pedal sounds NOTHING like the amp GEQ… yet they both have the same frequencies. ?

My opinion is based on Mike B making me a custom GEQ made with amp parts.

It was the secret sauce in making my rack sound “right”…

1665455438124.jpeg
 
psychodave said:
Their GEQ pedal sounds NOTHING like the amp GEQ… yet they both have the same frequencies.
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I completely forgot that they sell a pedal. NOTHING like the amp GEQ might be a bit of a stretch but I agree, compared to the Mesa Boogie GEQ pedal the amp GEQ is somewhat special because the pedal is completely different. It's OP amp based and running at lower voltages compared to the amp GEQ or a professional/studio rackmount EQ which results in a different headroom and signal to noise ratio for example.

Who is Mike B? Bendinelli or someone else? I like that GEQ and if it's not build like a pedal EQ and not overly expensive I might want one of these.

But in the end any quality inductor based GEQ that offers control over the same frequencies and bandwidth can easily do what the Mesa Mark amp GEQ does and then again, it's also dependant on how a particular fx loop works and how well an OP amp based EQ is designed after all.
 
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psychodave said:
The onboard Mesa GEQ’s add a LOT to that sound. They add magic and that “Boogie” sound. Their GEQ pedal sounds NOTHING like the amp GEQ… yet they both have the same frequencies. ?

My opinion is based on Mike B making me a custom GEQ made with amp parts.

It was the secret sauce in making my rack sound “right”…

View attachment 138802
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Sell me that eq lol
 
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