Dark sounding EQ's???

[Drayon]

Im interested to know what EQ box's ppl have used in the past an consider them 'Dark' sounding.

Im trying to get my basses from my Virus synth sounding as dark as i can. The bottom end of basses from the Virus just don't sound right to me, it still has a very slightly metalicish sound compared to the bass i pull out of a real analog like my Pro -One. The Virus bass needs the digital edge taken off it, i need to inject EQ around 30-50hz then boost a heap of 2-5k to get the grit to stand out -in most cases.

What EQ's will gove my Virus a taste of analog...the darkest variety?

Cheers in advance.

[echorec]

Originally posted by Drayon

What EQ's will gove my Virus a taste of analog...the darkest variety?

Cheers in advance.

Maybe a taste of tape? See this thread:

http://gearslutz.com/board/showthrea...threadid=12048

[thethrillfactor]

Originally posted by Drayon
Im interested to know what EQ box's ppl have used in the past an consider them 'Dark' sounding.

Im trying to get my basses from my Virus synth sounding as dark as i can. The bottom end of basses from the Virus just don't sound right to me, it still has a very slightly metalicish sound compared to the bass i pull out of a real analog like my Pro -One. The Virus bass needs the digital edge taken off it, i need to inject EQ around 30-50hz then boost a heap of 2-5k to get the grit to stand out -in most cases.

What EQ's will gove my Virus a taste of analog...the darkest variety?

Cheers in advance.

In my opinion this is accomplished better with a comp believe it or not. The phase shifts induced by EQ's are sometimes to drastic(especially the dark ones).

My favorite comps for this are the Neve 2254's and 32264a's.

If you need a dark sounding EQ anyway, i would look at the rackmount Moog parametric EQ. Its very y sounding and in combination with one of the comps above gives you a huge sounding synth bass.

[cdog]

Originally posted by Drayon
The bottom end of basses from the Virus just don't sound right to me, it still has a very slightly metalicish sound compared to the bass i pull out of a real analog like my Pro -One.

Cheers in advance.

There's yer problem right there buddy.

dfegad Modelling synths

You can't really model electricity, no eq or compression can help you polish a turd into gold.

[Jay Kahrs]

My Orban 622B is pretty dark as far as EQ's go. I use it mostly for stuff where I want to tweak the low end like bass, kick, toms, low rotor on a Leslie etc.

[Lumin]

Originally posted by Drayon
...... Im trying to get my basses from my Virus synth sounding as dark as i can......

Try out some tube pres since “darkness is in the ear of the beholder”.
Maybe a pair of Distressors with Brit mode.
Try recording in total darkness if none of the above work.

[Drayon]

Originally posted by thethrillfactor
In my opinion this is accomplished better with a comp believe it or not. The phase shifts induced by EQ's are sometimes to drastic(especially the dark ones).

My favorite comps for this are the Neve 2254's and 32264a's.

If you need a dark sounding EQ anyway, i would look at the rackmount Moog parametric EQ. Its very y sounding and in combination with one of the comps above gives you a huge sounding synth bass.

Cheers for that info. These Neve units i presume are vintage an available only on the 2nd hand market? Im in Australia and i very rarely (make that never) see vintage stuff for sale-been looking for a Pultec EQP 1A for a long time with no joy.

I have a Distressor with all the options, but it doesn't quite nail it. While it does color the sound, it doesn't make it sound more analog. Analog bass tends to sound more 'bouncy' where as the digital stuff does more of a 'thud' kinda thing if u know what i mean. On a bigassed system digital just does some weird sh!t ya know.

Jay - what is this 'Orban 622B' thing? Mind sharing a little about their history? No doubt its an older vintage unit...gona be nah impossible like heaps of other stuff to buy in Australia eh ;-(

[Drayon]

Originally posted by Lumin
Try out some tube pres since “darkness is in the ear of the beholder”.

Ok so any pre suggestions? Which are the dark one's?

Try recording in total darkness if none of the above work.

buahaha-yeah i tried that, but i smashed me head on this bigassed speaker cos i couldnt see - was like blacked out for days

[thethrillfactor]

Originally posted by Drayon
Cheers for that info. These Neve units i presume are vintage an available only on the 2nd hand market? Im in Australia and i very rarely (make that never) see vintage stuff for sale-been looking for a Pultec EQP 1A for a long time with no joy.

I have a Distressor with all the options, but it doesn't quite nail it. While it does color the sound, it doesn't make it sound more analog. Analog bass tends to sound more 'bouncy' where as the digital stuff does more of a 'thud' kinda thing if u know what i mean. On a bigassed system digital just does some weird sh!t ya know.

Jay - what is this 'Orban 622B' thing? Mind sharing a little about their history? No doubt its an older vintage unit...gona be nah impossible like heaps of other stuff to buy in Australia eh ;-(

Drayon,

I do like the Distressor sometimes on analog bass(especially the sub low stuff). You can help articulate the notes a little clearer.

The secret is you have to follow it up with the right EQ(for what ever phase shift is induced).

Look on Ebay. I do tend to see the 2254's routinely there(as well as the EQP1A). The 33264a is a little more rarer(hence they are more expensive).

[jazzius II]

this is probably not news you can use, but the Massive Passive is absolutley sick on any kind of synth sound......its slightly soft, dirty (relatively speaking for a $4000 piece) sound is what you're looking for.

[Drayon]

Originally posted by jazzius II
this is probably not news you can use, but the Massive Passive is absolutley sick on any kind of synth sound......its slightly soft, dirty (relatively speaking for a $4000 piece) sound is what you're looking for.

Oh yeah bring it on. That dangerous bit of gear is definitely panty pullin material, trus me its on the list :-) for later in the year. I want to listen to the passive b4 i plonk the $$ down tho but how that is gona be possible in Australia i do not know at this stage

[davemc]

I picked up a pair of 2254's and a solid state pultec last year locally through the trading post.

With the OZ$ up nows the time to buy from O/S. Just be careful.

Locally I think Wiggy has some CLM expounders left? Might be nice to try.
Sound devices has had a s/h summit element 78 for sale for a while. I think Thrill knows these.

I have a fatso and if you live locally to Melbourne you are welcome to have a play?

[thethrillfactor]

Originally posted by davemc
ISound devices has had a s/h summit element 78 for sale for a while. I think Thrill knows these.

Hey Dave,

Do you know how much?

I have been thinking about picking up another one of these lately. Is it the EQ alone or the one with the mic pre?

For me buying stuff in OZ is actually an option compared to buying stuff in Europe.

[Jay Kahrs]

Originally posted by Drayon

Jay - what is this 'Orban 622B' thing? Mind sharing a little about their history? No doubt its an older vintage unit...gona be nah impossible like heaps of other stuff to buy in Australia eh ;-(

Just an old EQ designed by Orban. Stereo, each channel is a 4-band parametric and each band has an individual bypass which is kinda cool. It probably dates to late 70's or early 80's and they're fairly common. Not the cleanest thing out there, kinda noisy by todays standards but not outrageously bad either. Honestly, it's kind of an average EQ with a unique sound to it that darkens or mushes most things that go through it. Put it this way, I never use it on vocals, overheads or stereo program.

[davemc]

Originally posted by thethrillfactor
Hey Dave,

Do you know how much?

I have been thinking about picking up another one of these lately. Is it the EQ alone or the one with the mic pre?

For me buying stuff in OZ is actually an option compared to buying stuff in Europe.

Pretty sure it was the pre/eq. Selling for AUD$4850(US$3670) half price here . So probably not that cheap for you, although you can try them sound devices Look under specials and excess stock.. When I looked last year I think the software was not HD compatiable so I thought leave it.

[NathanEldred]

Originally posted by cdog
There's yer problem right there buddy.

dfegad Modelling synths

You can't really model electricity, no eq or compression can help you polish a turd into gold.

So modelled synth's sound bad, but digitally modelled compressors and EQ's don't sound bad? I'm confused.



http://gearslutz.com/board/showthrea...highlight=UAD1


PS I don't sell any analog synths

[mml]

Two things that sound great on bass sources are a DBX 165 Comp and an Altec 1567 mixer with EQ.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally posted by davemc
Pretty sure it was the pre/eq. Selling for AUD$4850(US$3670) half price here . So probably not that cheap for you, although you can try them sound devices Look under specials and excess stock.. When I looked last year I think the software was not HD compatiable so I thought leave it.

Hi Dave,

Yeah its the mic pre/EQ.

I am really only looking for the EQ(Summit EQ-200).

I can get it here in the states for around $2800.

Thanks anyway.

[Blackbird]

A cheap alternative worth a try is to use a BBE Sonic Maximer (I think it is the 822 or 882) - good low end boost/cut and same with highs - just a few hundred dollars.

[Syki]

Dear Jazzius 2 ,just curious, are you a mastering facility,recording facility,production facility,keyboardist?.....Jack of all trades................?

[jazzius II]

Syki.........i earn my living only from mastering........

[Syki]

Very cool, it sounds like you have alot of fun........... Howz that A-6?

[jazzius II]

Guess what?.......i'm selling it!.......i had a lot of fun with it but i don't have time anymore to work on my own stuff.......that's gonna have to wait......i'm gonna sell it and buy a Smart C2 or API 2500 (+$), or maybe some other mastering toy if a hot deal comes my way (fat chance here in Holland!)

[Syki]

Jazzius 2, shoot me another PM.I emptied my mail box...thanks

[kosi]

Maybe buying another real synth helps ?
For the prices of the EQs and Compressors mentioned here, you can easily buy an old Minimoog or SE1 or whatever.
And I'm sure, another analog Synth will have a much deeper impact on your sound than a new "dark sounding" EQ, whatever this may be.

Other Tips would be to reamp your bass with a good amp or a bad one, or did you try a distortion pedal ? (okay overdrive)

[cdog]

Originally posted by NathanEldred
So modelled synth's sound bad, but digitally modelled compressors and EQ's don't sound bad? I'm confused.



http://gearslutz.com/board/showthrea...highlight=UAD1


PS I don't sell any analog synths

Its not called being confused Nathan, its called learning.

Digitally modelled EQs and compressors don't generate sound, they process it, and you can blend in the amount of processing with the original signal. The quality of the processing varies and in many cases is quite different than an analog counterpart, how you percieve these differences is subjective.

Synths are usually used as raw materials, not usually processors, although they can be that too. Digital modelling synths have a place mind you, but creating fat "analog sounding" basses is not one of their strong points. They are best when they do the digital boogie, which only they can do.

It all about choosing the right tool for the job.

Sorry if you took my gear pimp rant personally, not intended.

[NathanEldred]

Originally posted by cdog
[B]Its not called being confused Nathan, its called learning

I was being somewhat sarcastic....

[cdog]

[davemc]

Originally posted by thethrillfactor
Hi Dave,

Yeah its the mic pre/EQ.

I am really only looking for the EQ(Summit EQ-200).

I can get it here in the states for around $2800.

Thanks anyway.

Thought so, they have had it a for a while probably since the OZ$ was round 48cents. Now we are hitting US80cents it would hurt them having floor stock. Finding this common for a few things people have had hanging around for a while local.