Herbert & MXR 10 Band EQ

[mightywarlock]

So...
I have a show this weekend, and was trying to figure out which amp to bring with me to the gig and figured I would try the Herbert to see how it worked out for me.
So i was dialing in some settings and trying to see how it would be so as to not get lost in the mix, as I have heard many a time that SOME folks have issues with this...
I am pretty sure I dialed in a tone that will cut through just fine...

But then I did an experiment...I have 2 MXR EQ's, a regular 10 band and the kerry king 10 band...and have been selling some of my gear lately, so was going to sell the regular 10 band eq...but it was nearby so i grabbed it and placed it in the Serial loop of the Herbert. I turned it on, FLAT EQ, and holy moly.
I then added an extremely limited boost in the upper mids, an extremely light dip in the mid, and a very very low boost to the lows, raised the gain just a touch on the pedal...and...


I feel like it just woke up the amp! Not only was it louder, clearer and more punchy, but it got even Meaner as well!

Very nice.

I'll get to some recordings soon...

If anyone wants to hear this setup, I'll be playing it Saturday night in Santa Monica by the beach at a big party. PM me and I'll give you the address!

 

[RJF]

Personally, I'm starting to think less is more... After having a Mesa Mark 4 and VHT CLX that both have super powerful 5 &6 band post preamp EQ's, I think it almost makes is too much of a pain to get a sound dialed.

The fact that the Herbert has a post preamp, single knob EQ is ingenious to me. Turn the knob for either more or less mids, and you're done. No sliders at all.

 

[ibanez4life SZ!]

^Agreed.

With just about any amp I've played, I believe the tones are in there. Adding external EQs has always been a pain for me. I HATE having two ways to adjust the same parameter....

Eric

 

[mightywarlock]

I typically like a simple setup as well, especially when setting up for a show...

but this was at home, and no big deal to add the EQ into the serial loop.

before knocking the idea, and being so negative, why don't you try it first?

If i could have made the amp sound the way I got it to with the EQ, trust me, I would not want to use the EQ at all! I hate all those extra cables and wiring!!

 

[mightywarlock]

Here is a little audio clip I just recorded to test the MXR in the Series loop of the Herbert.

I play each part twice. First 2 times, Herbert. next 2 times with MXR EQ on. next 2 times off, next 2 times on.

Here are the settings i put on the MXR EQ

and here is the audio clip. 2-SM57's used, Left and Right, speakers=Celestion K100's.

 

[RJF]

Are you running with your mid cut on or off?

Not really digging the MXR, too scooped and bass heavy.

 

[mightywarlock]

Are you running with your mid cut on or off?

Not really digging the MXR, too scooped and bass heavy.

I should have taken a picture of the settings.

Midcut on, level about 12:30, midcut about 10:30-11

 

[sdhnc123]

I just started using the MXR 10 Band EQ in the serial loop of the Herbert yesterday. I believe it works very well.

The advantage of the MXR EQ is that it is more precise in the frequencies affected than the Herbert's MIDCUT.

I have it set up like this:
MXR EQ = slight cut at 500 Hz.
Herbert MIDCUT = 10 o'clock (boosts mids for solos when engaged).

The slight cut at 500 Hz adds clarity to the high-gain channels.
I engage the Herbert's MIDCUT (which is actually boosting mids) for solos.

I have the knobs (bass, mid, treble) for channels 2 and 3 between 1:30 and 3:00.

 

[bananaladonpcp]

scooped mids = why can't I hear myself when my band is playing? External eq's always make the amp sound like a simulated "fake" tone to me. I have a boss eq floating around and tried it out on my Herbert a while back and it did nothing good to my ears for a mix. When I'm in my bedroom I could dial in a sweet bedroom tone but that kind of sound wont work at all in a band setting. I have my settings hovering around: Channel 3 distortion 11oclock, volume 12oclock, bass 2oclock, mids 230-3oclock, highs 3:30, midcut on: Intensity 11oclock, level 1oclock, presence 2oclock, depth 1oclock. My band plays tech death so I need a nice tight clear tone with lots of distortion and not too much compression.


-Alex

 

[Skrln]

To be honest, I like it better without hearing from your clip. But hey, if you like it, just do it the way you want .

Cool riff anyhow.

 

[Mailman1971]

I feel the same way with my FJA modded Recto...
sounds good straight in....but run that Graphic EQ pedal in the loop set "flat"...just jumps the amp to life.
Its my "ideal" tone.
So if it works for you 'in person'....thats all the matters.
Clips only represent a portion of what it sounds like in the same room.