Using Parametric EQ as a Poor Man's HPF?

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alanolynn

alanolynn

Aug 19, 2012
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#1
Need some advice...

My BX1500 is a wonderful new addition, and I have the idea in my head. If I use the "low mid" control, when set to 50hz, and roll it completely off, could that possibly do the trick as an "on-board HPF"? Or am I still better off finding a Broughton and just leaving it at that?

Thanks for the help in advance!
 
#2
alanolynn said:
Need some advice...

My BX1500 is a wonderful new addition, and I have the idea in my head. If I use the "low mid" control, when set to 50hz, and roll it completely off, could that possibly do the trick as an "on-board HPF"?
Click to expand...

Nope, it won't work the same way at all, and is likely to sound pretty terrible in most cases IME.
 
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#4
Passinwind said:
Nope, it won't work the same way at all, and is likely to sound pretty terrible in most cases IME.
Click to expand...

I suppose I'll claim ignorance on that one then. Can you think of any other tricks? I know this head has a heck-of-a-lot of EQ control. I just don't want to pick up another piece of gear if I don't need to.

I really like the concept of the HPF, in theory, being that it runs a Henry 8x8. It'd be nice to clean up the sound AND help protect those little drivers.

Thanks
 
#9
alanolynn said:
I suppose I'll claim ignorance on that one then. Can you think of any other tricks? I know this head has a heck-of-a-lot of EQ control. I just don't want to pick up another piece of gear if I don't need to.
Click to expand...
I owned and occasionally gigged a BX500 for a while. The EQ sections are feature rich, but it's still a nope.
 
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#12
alanolynn said:
I appreciate the input. Thank you.



No worries. Figured it was worth a shot. Thanks again.
Click to expand...

I posted some graphs in the HPF/LPF megathread showing why the usual bass control, graphic EQ, or parametric EQ kludges don't really cut it. But that's not to say that everyone needs a dedicated HPF, IME and IMO it just depends.

Bass control cut vs 4th order HPF:

BassCut_vs_HPF.jpg


Graphic EQ cut at 32Hz vs 4th order HPF set at 32Hz (-3dB point):

10Bandgraphic_32Hzcut.JPG


HPF_32Hzminus3dB.JPG
 
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#13
With the BX1500, you are better off trying to use the built in crossover. Set it at 100, it’s lowest setting and use the HI output. If you find it taking too much low end, don’t be afraid to boost the bass knob to see if you find something you like. While a HPF set at 100 can be off-putting on it’s own, adding some bass boost can give you a fat tone with the garbage way down low in control. This is of course you are good with only using one of the built in amps.
 
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#15
PraiseBassing said:
With the BX1500, you are better off trying to use the built in crossover. Set it at 100, it’s lowest setting and use the HI output. If you find it taking too much low end, don’t be afraid to boost the bass knob to see if you find something you like. While a HPF set at 100 can be off-putting on it’s own, adding some bass boost can give you a fat tone with the garbage way down low in control. This is of course you are good with only using one of the built in amps.
Click to expand...

That's an interesting angle. I'm at 4 ohms as it sits, so for my purposes, the single ample/channel is definitely good. Worth a try!
 
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#18
A band dip filter at 50 Hz will get rind of some usable bass frequencies. It won't, however filter out subsonic stuff - the stuff you really want/need a high pass filter to get rid of.

The amp you have, assuming it's reasonably well designed (almost all bass amps are in this regard), will have a high pass filter that does remove subsonic stuff.
 
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#19
PraiseBassing said:
That crossover uses a HPF for the HI side. I do not know the slope tho, it may be too steep, but it won’t hurt to try it out and see how you like it.
Click to expand...

IIRC it's 2nd order, but I only have the BX1200 schematic on hand and welcome correction, as always. It also comes pretty late in the signal chain, so it'll do more for the speaker than the preamp headroom, for better or worse.
 
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#20
Passinwind said:
IIRC it's 2nd order, but I only have the BX1200 schematic on hand. It also comes pretty late in the signal chain, so it'll do more for the speaker than the preamp headroom, for better or worse.
Click to expand...
Interesting. A little surprised it’s 2nd order based on the designed usage, but not surprised it’s late in the chain. Only way to know how it’ll sound is to try though. Won’t hurt anything.

@alanolynn just go easy on the bass boost when testing. While 12db per octave at 100hz means 30hz will be attenuated a bit, it’s best to take it slow and listen to the tone, but also to how the speakers are handling it.
 
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