Live Sound Max All EQ Suggested

[EdsSR505]

I use an Ibanez SR-505 active bass with hi, mid, and low eq on the guitar. I go through a wireless to a couple of pedals on my pedal board with a sansamp DI. I usually do not use an amp playing out. The DI goes to a rather nice Allan and Heath board, probably about a 5 year old 16 channel analogue board.

On one occasion I brought my Sub 5 string which has a low and high eq and is also active. The guy running the board said he wasn't getting enough volume from my DI and is usually asking me to boost my signal, I have it about 1 o'clock, where I would prefer to keep it at 12. His solution that night was to have me crank the eq on my bass, both high and low wide open. Another time at rehearsal I played his guitar and he played my SR-505. When I got it back all my eq were maxed. He tells me from time to time that the eq on a bass should just be maxed.

What I like to do is start each knob at its' mid point, where the knob is half way and adjust the eq to taste. When I run sound I use the gain on the channel I use to get sufficient signal before I mix it with the other instruments.

Has anyone ever heard of what I am dealing with? Am I missing something or am I dealing with someone who doesn't understand eq on a bass guitar? The only thing I can think of is the guy I am dealing with is treating a bass eq as one would a guitar tone knob. Also, I wouldn't mind seeing some responses on DI best practices as it relates getting into the mix. My concern is supporting our live sound. I'd rather come with solutions, but I am dealing with someone who knows just about everything about live sound so I have my doubts I can get through to him.

 

[walterw]

The guy running the board said he wasn't getting enough volume from my DI and is usually asking me to boost my signal, I have it about 1 o'clock, where I would prefer to keep it at 12. His solution that night was to have me crank the eq on my bass, both high and low wide open. Another time at rehearsal I played his guitar and he played my SR-505. When I got it back all my eq were maxed. He tells me from time to time that the eq on a bass should just be maxed.

he's an idiot and i'm sorry you're stuck with him running the board.

you should dime the bass volume, but the active EQ knobs should start out at the halfway notches and just get gently tweaked up or down from there.

on your active bass that should be way more than enough signal to get a good level at the board; if he's not getting enough then either there's a bad cable or direct box or he's doing something wrong.

 

[s0c9]

Yeah.. what @walterw said.. he's an idiot.
Trim (gain) controls on an A&H analog console (I assume mixwiz) have plenty make-up gain to handle what you are sending FOH.
As someone who has worked FOH (on and off) for 25yrs.. sounds like your dude has no clue.. or his gear is faulty.

 

[Jay Corwin]

Not all sound guys are created equally.....some are just dudes with a board and no "real" qualifications.

For the record, I've never had a sound guy ask me to tweak my EQ on bass guitars, upright bass, amp DI's, preamp DI's, etc. It's their job to mix frequencies unless you have some really outrageous setup going on. Also - if the Sansamp is last in line before the board, I'm shocked he can't work with that. I've never had a problem sending with a Sansamp. I keep the output dimed on mine though.