Hello fellow Kemperites,
I have learned that, when it comes to EQs, I am completely clueless...and probably a bit dangerous.
Discovering that I have no idea how to best employ EQ towards a given purpose, has been quite the humbling experience.
In my defense (somewhat), the KPA user manuals provide little guidance. The Reference Manual doesn't even explain terminology, nor list the parameters that are available in the "Studio Equalizer". The wiKPA site has a bit more information...but can often times be confusing and frustrating, especially when the FAQ dialogue(s) use terminology that doesn't even correspond to the effect's list of parameters. Again, using the "Studio Equalizer" as an example, here is the wiKPA page link:
http://www.wikpa.org/Studio_Equalizer
At the beginning of the article, the following parameters are listed:
QuoteDisplay More?Parameters
Low Gain
Low Frequency
High Gain
High Frequency
Mid1 Gain
Mid1 Frequency
Mid1 Q
Mid2 Gain
Mid2 Frequency
Mid2 Q
Mix
Volume
This is all well and good...but but there is no detailed explanation as to what these parameters mean, nor what they do. Now, obviously I understand "Frequency". And I can suss out that the "Gain" parameter is the level of boost or cut (I assume) of that frequency. But what is the inter-relationship between them? In one of the dialogue boxes, it is explained that the Low Gain / Low Frequency and High Gain / High Frequency are "shelving" filters. What exactly does that mean? What do these do?
Continuing on...I understand that there are two separate parametric bands, Mid 1 and Mid 2. However, nowhere is there an explanation of what the "Q" parameter does, or how best to adjust this.
What becomes a bit frustrating, is that some of the contributors start using different terms for what I assume correspond to the parameters listed above. For example, in the Christophe Kemper dialogue box, he writes the following:
QuoteThe shelving filters gain goes down to -18 dB. If you bring the lowshelf this way down, you have virtually created a lowcut or highpass filter (which is the same as you know). The only difference is that you still have the "cutout" signals sounding at -18 dB, which is very low.
I am sure that you want to attenuate the boomy frequencies, but not totally kill them, so you will probably end up in attenuating them by less than 18 dB.
Lowpass and Highpass filters are used for killing frequency components in the signal that are absolutely not wanted. They can be considered as Shelving filters with gain at minus infinity. If those unwanted signals are low anyway, shelving and cutting filters don't make a big difference.
But Lowpass and Highpass filters are great for artistically modifying a signal, since they work pretty radical.
Sounds great...but what are these "shelving filters"? What is the "lowcut" and "highpass" filters? They are not designated terms in the list of tweakable parameters? Now, I am not completely dense...I presume that this terminology has something to do with the first four parameters (Low Gain / Low Frequency and High Gain / High Frequency). Am I correct? If I am, I still am unclear as to how to use them for best effect.
In Don Peterson's dialogue box, he provides some recommended settings. But then he goes on to write the following:
QuoteAlso, if you want to remove the very low end, I recommend placing a EQ or Highpass Filter with Peak 0.0 (!) and Manual at around 0.5 before the amp, so that the profile doesn't have to deal with these frequencies to begin with.
How does this apply to the Studio Equalizer. I see no parameter called "Highpass Filter". I don't know what "Peak 0.0 (!)" means. And there certainly isn't a parameter called "Manual" in the Studio Equalizer.
By this point, I am pulling my hair out in frustration, while simultaneously kicking my own damn self for having never learned about Parametric EQs.
So, I am hoping anyone could shed some light on the questions and points I raise, above, specifically in regards to the Studio Equalizer Effect.
I realize this is getting long-winded, but I have now actually come to my primary reason for asking for help (although I would still appreciate answers to above).
Still with me....? Good. Here is the second part of my plea for help...
I remember watching a YouTube video a few years ago, in which someone was demonstrating one of the digital modelers (not a KPA or Axe-FX). Specifically, he was showing how to use a parametric EQ to selectively pinpoint and mitigate/suppress any harsh and undesirable frequencies. I remember that part of the explanation involved "sweeping" the frequencies in order to find the offending frequency, and then dialing it out (reducing the Gain/Level ??). I can't find this video again. But in any event, can you folks explain how I might go about doing this with the KPA's Studio Equalizer, which I understand is a parametric EQ. I have noticed some harshness and buzz on some tailing distorted notes...and they sound like they are in the higher frequencies. I don't get this issue when I connect my powered KPA to a physical/traditional guitar cabinet. The issue only comes up when I am connected through my passive FRFR monitor. I assume the traditional guitar cabinet is naturally dampening these frequencies...while the FRFR monitor is reproducing the full dynamic signal, warts and all. So, I am hoping to find and dial these "offensive" frequencies out, using the "sweeping" method with the Studio Equalizer.
I would appreciate any and all advice and instructions on how to go about this. Assume I know absolutely nothing about parametric EQs (a safe assumption, by the way).
Thanks in advance, mates!