Custom EQ settings

[Caleb_Elling]

[QUOTE=Louis;n10448]My Larrivee D50 with iMix has a serious need to cut around 100 hz. I’ve made voiceprints for each of the iBeam and element on their own, and blended, and they all need a ton of reduction in the lows. Im still trying to figure out how to get them to sound more natural. I think I will try the lighter tapping and careful strum and picking techniques. Also check the phone mic.

The other thing I’m not sure about In the process is how to use the master EQ for the preset. Should the focus be on eq of the voiceprint and then use preset EQ for smaller tweaks?

edit: cleaning the phone mic and doing the lighter tapping gave me totally improved results! Wow. Used a toothbrush on the phone’s mic holes. [/QUOTE]

Thanks for updating your post so quickly. That's great to hear. The lighter tapping on its own seems to make a big difference in the "woofy" low-end that some people experience. The clogged mic ports can cause all kinds of weird issues.

[Louis]

Caleb et al., I had the opportunity to bring the new VPDI to band rehearsal, and struggled to get a loud enough volume. I had previously used the Venue DI, and ran it into the “return” of an effects loop into a Fishman Loudbox Performer, and would have plenty of room to turn it up when the electric guitars were cranked. But with the VPDI I had the levels maxed, the output maxed, and the fishman maxed, and still was not quite there. Any recommendations on getting a louder sound (without buying the PA which would be nice).

Also I noticed that the EQ settings at lower volumes sound great but at high volume the sound really changed…heavy bass, and tinny high end. Should I EQ special for the high volume scenario? I imagine I’d be better off with a PA style system than through the amp.

last question… for EQ - is it best to dial in the VP EQ first and then tweak the master EQ to dial in the sound you want ?

[Caleb_Elling]

Hey Louis.
The Venue DI has an input gain stage with a lot of gain available. The VPDI is designed to be a fairly neutral stage, with level controls designed for matching levels between guitars. You're definitely not going to get the same amount of signal from the VPDI that you would get with the Venue. You should be able to easily make up for it on the amp or mixer though.

As for the EQ, did you originally EQ the guitar through the same amp/setup? If you're running the DI in the FX Loop of the amp, that might change the interaction of the pickup and VPDI. Running the guitar directly into the VPDI will ensure your Voiceprint is interacting with the guitar properly.

If you EQ'd the guitar while playing by yourself, it's probably going to sound different with a band. I've run into that same issue many times. Usually, I just need to make a few tweaks to fit in with the band and I'm good to go.

For the VP EQ and the Master EQ, I've been trying to make all of my initial EQ changes in the VP EQ. Then, if I need to lower the blend % to bring in more of the pickup, that's where the Master EQ is going to be most effective. If I'm just playing with the Voiceprint, I try to only use the VP EQ if I can.

[Louis]

[QUOTE=Caleb_Elling;n10458]Hey Louis.
The Venue DI has an input gain stage with a lot of gain available. The VPDI is designed to be a fairly neutral stage, with level controls designed for matching levels between guitars. You're definitely not going to get the same amount of signal from the VPDI that you would get with the Venue. You should be able to easily make up for it on the amp or mixer though.

As for the EQ, did you originally EQ the guitar through the same amp/setup? If you're running the DI in the FX Loop of the amp, that might change the interaction of the pickup and VPDI. Running the guitar directly into the VPDI will ensure your Voiceprint is interacting with the guitar properly.

If you EQ'd the guitar while playing by yourself, it's probably going to sound different with a band. I've run into that same issue many times. Usually, I just need to make a few tweaks to fit in with the band and I'm good to go.

For the VP EQ and the Master EQ, I've been trying to make all of my initial EQ changes in the VP EQ. Then, if I need to lower the blend % to bring in more of the pickup, that's where the Master EQ is going to be most effective. If I'm just playing with the Voiceprint, I try to only use the VP EQ if I can. [/QUOTE]

Thanks Caleb. That makes sense regarding the different volumes I’m getting from the VPDI vs the Venue. I’m going straight from the guitar into the VPDI, and then running the VPDI to the “return” of the amps’s FX loop to bypass the amp’s pre-amp. Again - sounds fine when it’s just me, but with the loud drums, electric guitars, pedal steel and all the good loud stuff, it can be a challenge to keep up. The Venue was a game changer for “participation” and I’m hoping I can get the VPDI to also work.

Appreciate the clarification on strategy for the EQ - seems close to what I was doing. But I found it difficult to fiddle with EQ in the moment with the band. Gonna have to practice and get a range of presets to start with. Thanks again !

[Caleb_Elling]

If you need more level, going into the amp's preamp would help. I can't think of any reason why using the extra preamp would be a bad thing.