I have gotten the habit of passing my kick drums through a cheap graphic EQ and boosting the 50hz band (this one has like 30 bands) with like +10dB

Prob some of you must be getting your CAPS Lock on ready to write some heavy replies and tell me how bad it is to do that!!

Idk, I like how it sounds! I don’t have a hardware EQ that allow me to boost 50hz with a high Q other than that.

Maybe I should buy a parametric EQ, but which ones are out there that can do it without leaving me bankrupt? Just taking about hardware btw.

An API 550 I guess it can but it’s so expensive. Idk cheap alternatives except capi. I have tried Neve or SSL plugins and never get such results, doubt the hw can do that.

And I like to pass kick via an overdrive pedal. Do you like how it sound? Does it translate well? Do you like how it sounds also in the context of the mix? Of the answer to all is "yes", then that doesn't mean you won't be able to achieve something different or even better with other equipment, but in my book you aren't doing anything wrong.

The GML 8200 EQ was famous for that and one of its best uses.

Another more modern EQ would be the Undertone Audio MEPQ-1 preamp/eq.

I agree. It sounds good and that’s what matters. The problem is that this EQ is difficult to dial in. The levers are tiny and kind of below surface, I guess it’s meant to be set and forget. Thus looking for an improvement.

A good parametric EQ should do the trick. What’s your budget?

I have an old Klark Teknik DN22 graphic EQ for exactly this purpose. It sprinkles some magic on my drumbus. But it´s modified with better opamps and few circuit tweaks.

Why would you buy something else, when you have exactly what you’re looking for?

...and why would someone want to use a graphic eq outside of live sound?!

For total control. A proportional Q 31 band graphic eq can create complex curves. Unlike more recent constant Q bandpass designs those older graphics using gyrators have smooth transitions between bands. A smile face curve looks like a smile. With 31 bands all frequencies can be addressed, all at the same time.

Modern band pass constant Q designs are used for room tuning because bandwidth is always a narrow 1/3 octave at any amount of boost or cut. Make a smile face curve and "nipples" are seen at each band's center. Sort of like a reversed picket fence.

Proportional Q gyrator designs Q varies with the amount of boost/cut. At +3db of eq bandwidth is about one octave. It narrows to 1/3 octave at full boost or cut. Therefore, the curves are very smooth, no "nipples".

Those older designs do poorly for room tuning but are an excellent choice for getting sounds.

I keep asking myself the same thing. Especially as it pertains to my 3RU BSS monstrosity . It was my trusty notch-****. It is still in my rack, flat-lined.
Unfortunately, it remains my favorite high pass. I have always liked the sound of this old Brontosaurus.
I DO wish I favored another. A 3RU HP is hard to justify, even for a hobbyist.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/UjstgfFRY3CdVBQ9A

There’s also the inductor-based Sphere 900-series graphics that do the same thing, albeit with fewer bands. Seemingly everyone that has used them raves about them; I wish someone would put out a clone (the guy who currently owns the rights to the Sphere name and who was supposedly going to offer a 900 graphic doesn’t seem to be in business anymore.)

well, i still have a few tc eq stations here which (besides a peq, a dynamic eq or multiband comp, a limiter and a delay) have emulations of popular geq's from the olden days (tc, bss and klark) which had different filter characteristics ...

...but i find geq's only useful in hectic live situations and specifically on monitor sends - in all other situations, i'm using the peq's in my desks: admittedly, two of four bands can get switched between constant q and constant range which at least for me/my needs is enough in terms of 'control', so i very rarely feel the need for touching any outboard eq, except of course for system alignment or mastering.

It's crazy to think you need to change gear. Even high end outboard can have weaknesses, and even what you call a cheap graphic EQ might just indeed have a really good 50hz band. That's it. There is nothing more to consider.

Are you expecting people to tell you how bad it is to boost +10dB at 50Hz using a "graphic EQ?" Or how bad it is to be in the "habit" of boosting an already prominent frequency by +10dB?

Are you expecting this parametric EQ to sound generally 'better'? In what way? Are you simply expecting it to have a higher Q? Does your graphic have a band below the 50Hz? You have not given any reasons why you dislike your graphic. Are you just experiencing FOMO?

Some will say the hardware versions might sound "smoother" or have "more mojo" but as far as boosting/cutting frequencies, I don't think the capability will differ a whole lot from the plugin versions.

I agree with the general consensus that if you feel you have already found your Secret Weapon, there is little rationale for buying new stuff. Half the interviews you read online have some famous engineer mention some inexpensive gear that just works for him.

1200 Balboas is a lot to spend to boost one frequency on the kick drum. Would it find uses elsewhere in your studio?

Any free eq that comes with a daw will do this

I did, but not that I wanted to read it.

The levers on mine are impossible to dial in. Tiny, below the surface, meant to be set & forget. I do tweak it a bit on other frequencies depending on the song and might use it on other instruments.

It must be hardware

Below $300

That looks interesting. Although I like to have some bands below 50 too.

That’s definitely going to limit your options. Getting something used will likely be your best bet.

If you want to buy new, and already have a 500-series rack, you may want to save an additional ~$50 and consider this: https://chambordaudio.com/products/ca-250-parametric-eq

No experience with that unit, but it would meet your needs and it’s the cheapest thing I can think of at the moment that would actually be a step up from what you’re currently using.

there are still tons of used geq's around which can be found ridiculously cheap - search for above mentioned brands (which ruled in pro live sr for decades; maybe add xta, symetrix, rane, dbx to your search)...

Another possibility, since you said you like that 50Hz boost on the kick drum and your only issue is the difficulty of dialing it in, is to dedicate that unit to kick drum use and to get something else to use on other sources.

Yes, it’s a little odd to dedicate a unit to a single purpose and never touch the controls, but it’s not unheard of: CLA is infamous for doing just that, and I recall hearing about a band that did the same thing with synthesizers (I want to say it was either Styx or Pink Floyd.) Getting another device just to recreate a sound you like from something you already have seems a waste - you won’t get enough money from selling the graphic to make that worthwhile and there’s no point in having it sit unused. So if you’re intent on getting something new you might as well get something that expands your sonic options and continue using the graphic for the purpose for which you like it best.

If you think along those lines you’re no longer restricted to looking at parametric EQs and can consider a wider variety of options.

Hello,

I suggest going and researching plugins and getting plugin versions of coveted EQs (you know the ones… the ones that cost a huge some of cash). Demo these and see if they have the ‘sound’ that you are looking for.

Next, go—begin shopping at your favorite audio reseller with confidence gained from your foray into all the flavors of EQ. Plugins provide base flavors of the Hardware they emulate and it goes beyond just imitation. They are fully capable of putting that particular character into the music you are working on.

But if you want more than that, like you want the literal buzz from the EM fields the electricity is giving off— Buy the HW version… then A/B it against the SW version for S&Gs

No matter what - don't sell your existing eq! You may end up not being able to achieve the sound by anything else. I made such a mistake with a hifi 10 band ADC eq (inductor based, perfect condition), and, hey I own few high end EQs that have mojo (1081, germanium tone control, massive passive, urei 537, 1073, to name a few)

The sound you are hearing may be a combination of the specific filter style, saturation, dynamic reaction, and few other things...

Is the thing you like with the result related to "dirt" aspects, in that way or another? Does it become more lofi? Could you describe the subjective result you're getting?

Other than looking for some used 19” graphic eq’s mentioned by other very knowledgeable members above, another option is to get an Avedis Audio E12G.

Obviously you need a 500 series rack for it (maybe you already have one since you mentioned an api 550?)..
otherwise the Link Audio Design X530 might be an option.

It is obviously more expensive than 300$, BUT it has the features you want, it sounds really good (keeps the “integrity” of the source/sound)..
and while it’s not cheap, it is still very reasonably priced for what you get..
and still less expensive than the competition (competition that doesn’t provide the same quality).. so it’s a great deal.
it’s very fast to operate..
Here’s a short clip on drums OH:



I hope this helps,

howdy

Cheu