What API 500 series EQ to use?

JB872 · 17th February 2006

Right now I have 8 API EQ's in my studio (not including plugins) -> 4 550A's, 2 550B's, and 2 560B's. I've had some good results with the 560B's on kick, snare, and bass; and some success with the 550A's on guitar.

So my question is what API 500 series EQ do you use most often for guitar, bass, and drums?

And if you had two spaces left in the API 500 series rack unit, what EQ's would you fill them with?

indie · 17th February 2006

To me, nothing does carving on a kick like a 560. I also love it on electrics and snare too.
I need a pair myself.
Micah thumbsup

JB872 · 18th February 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by indie

To me, nothing does carving on a kick like a 560. I also love it on electrics and snare too.
I need a pair myself.
Micah thumbsup

Ya they're great on kick. I'm never sure if I should add 30Hz on the kick or leave that area to the bass though. What approach do you take?

Ol' Betsey · 18th February 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB872

Ya they're great on kick. I'm never sure if I should add 30Hz on the kick or leave that area to the bass though. What approach do you take?

I don't know about you guys but my monitors don't even go that low.

If I can't hear it I tend not to mess with it.

Except for maybe a bit a hi-pass now and again...

R.

P.S. Oh and I love 560's.

indie · 18th February 2006

Yeah..I don't mess with what I can't hear either...and my BM6A's don't show that area of the bass...so I don't touch it. I do however carve the mids -- 560's are the shiz.

RoundBadge · 18th February 2006

i really miss my 550a's..
560's rule.can't go wrong with those.
also.. try the averill e15's. cleaner but very nice variation
about 9 bills a pop. thumbsup

JB872 · 18th February 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ol' Betsey

I don't know about you guys but my monitors don't even go that low.

If I can't hear it I tend not to mess with it.

Except for maybe a bit a hi-pass now and again...

R.

P.S. Oh and I love 560's.

I'm using Genelec 1029A's and I can't really tell if the 31Hz alone on the 560's adds anything to the sound of my kick. But when I add the 31Hz along with the 65Hz and 125Hz it definitely sounds bigger to me. So do I go for the big sounding kick or leave that really low area for the bass.

chriscoleman · 18th February 2006

Call me crazy, but I think the 560's are extremely useful for much more than the typical "kick, snare, and electric guitars". I use them on everything - even the 2bus...

Ol' Betsey · 18th February 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB872

I'm using Genelec 1029A's and I can't really tell if the 31Hz alone on the 560's adds anything to the sound of my kick. But when I add the 31Hz along with the 65Hz and 125Hz it definitely sounds bigger to me. So do I go for the big sounding kick or leave that really low area for the bass.

Hi JB872,

This is just my opinion but if I can't hear it, I don't mess with it.

There's a lot of subharmonic junk lurking down there and I wouldn't want to go boosting it without knowing what's going on.

65/125 is a little different but still it's best to listen to your stuff on lots of different systems to see what effect your EQ is having.

Just my .02.

Good luck,

R.

Ol' Betsey · 18th February 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB872

So do I go for the big sounding kick or leave that really low area for the bass.

P.S. I'm afraid you'll have to make that decision yourself based on what type of music your doing and what your trying to achieve with your mix.

Sorry, can't help ya there...

R.

superburtm · 18th February 2006

560's on kick and 550A on everything else!

superburtm · 18th February 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ol' Betsey

Hi JB872,

This is just my opinion but if I can't hear it, I don't mess with it.

There's a lot of subharmonic junk lurking down there and I wouldn't want to go boosting it without knowing what's going on.

65/125 is a little different but still it's best to listen to your stuff on lots of different systems to see what effect your EQ is having.

Just my .02.

Good luck,

R.

I can certainly hear the 31hz band when I give it some juice in my room. Maybe I'm not hearing the fundamental thoug. But I'll tell you this: that 31hz on a 560 can give some balls to a kick in a big way...the 65hz as well. LOVE IT!

Ol' Betsey · 19th February 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by superburtm

But I'll tell you this: that 31hz on a 560 can give some balls to a kick in a big way...the 65hz as well. LOVE IT!

Oh I don't doubt THAT one bit. No siree... Especially @ 65/125.

And the 560 is the only thing I've been using on kik for the last 3-4 years.

What I am saying is I personally don't boost that low down (31) too much, if at all, because of the damage I might be causing from things I can't hear.

That's just me though...

R.

superburtm · 19th February 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ol' Betsey

Oh I don't doubt THAT one bit. No siree... Especially @ 65/125.

And the 560 is the only thing I've been using on kik for the last 3-4 years.

What I am saying is I personally don't boost that low down (31) too much, if at all, because of the damage I might be causing from things I can't hear.

That's just me though...

R.

I hear ya..I got a sub at my place so it doesn't freak me out. Funny I almost never boost 125 on my kiks.

17th February 2006	#1
JB872 Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,097 Thread Starter	What API 500 series EQ to use? Right now I have 8 API EQ's in my studio (not including plugins) -> 4 550A's, 2 550B's, and 2 560B's. I've had some good results with the 560B's on kick, snare, and bass; and some success with the 550A's on guitar. So my question is what API 500 series EQ do you use most often for guitar, bass, and drums? And if you had two spaces left in the API 500 series rack unit, what EQ's would you fill them with?

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17th February 2006	#2
indie Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: C-ville area VA Posts: 1,618	To me, nothing does carving on a kick like a 560. I also love it on electrics and snare too. I need a pair myself. Micah thumbsup

18th February 2006	#5
indie Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: C-ville area VA Posts: 1,618	Yeah..I don't mess with what I can't hear either...and my BM6A's don't show that area of the bass...so I don't touch it. I do however carve the mids -- 560's are the shiz.

18th February 2006	#6
RoundBadge Lives for gear Join Date: May 2004 Location: Los Angeles ,Ca. Posts: 8,754	i really miss my 550a's.. 560's rule.can't go wrong with those. also.. try the averill e15's. cleaner but very nice variation about 9 bills a pop. thumbsup

18th February 2006	#8
chriscoleman Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 548	Call me crazy, but I think the 560's are extremely useful for much more than the typical "kick, snare, and electric guitars". I use them on everything - even the 2bus...

18th February 2006	#11
superburtm Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: LOS ANGELES Posts: 3,581	560's on kick and 550A on everything else!