Which EQ?

[coolbaci]

Hi,

We currently have no EQ on FOH (2 channels) or monitors (4 channels) and would like to get something. KT DN360 are out of budget and some DBX, ART would be in budget.

So what features are must haves, good to have, what about quality of ie dbx 231 vs 2231? Any opions on modles etc? Do we stick with 31 band or are there decent mid level parametric?

What other brands to consider? We don't want to get the cheapest but can't afford the best.

Thanks

[cmchamp]

As I've mentioned before in post regarding budget EQ, I prefer the ART EQ355 because of it's sweepable high pass and low pass filtering, especially for monitors.

[bobbycito]

Does it need to be a a physical EQ or could it be something like a used BSS soundweb?

[cmchamp]

A used quality DSP with parametric filters would be preferred to a graphic EQ on mains and monitors.

[WI Consultant]

Check out Behringer FBQ 3102 It is a stereo 31 band, has high and low pass filters, a crossover for subs and feedback control.

[Chkurgrnd]

Depending on how picky your musicians are, you could get away with a 15 band for your monitors. I like this one. IMO, 31 band is for acoustics and feedback suppression as you notch very narrow bands and would be good for FOH. Are you using this as more of an EQ for shaping the sound or for feedback notching as well? If you do have feedback issues I have found the EQ to be far better than any other feedback suppression unit that you can either insert or send your signal through. A long travel on each frequency will help, and this is going purely analog but this has been very quiet yet very transparent for the times I have used it in the past decade.

Steer clear of Beh_______. You will introduce some color into your mix that you will regret and the shelf life still has not improved.

[WI Consultant]

No worries, a Behringer FBQ 3102 is a better choice than any 15 band. They are sold by the thousands, work great, and are affordable. I would be glad to offer you any help I can.

[Les]

If I were buying budget graphic equalizers new my first choice would be the ART EQ355's that Cory mentioned (and you can even buy them from him at a great price!).

In my opinion I wouldn't use DOD, Carvin, or Behringer graphic EQ's, especially considering the ART units can be just as good on pricing from an authorized dealer. The lower quality EQ's have funky interactions with the adjacent filters.

If I had a little money and wouldn't mind buying used I would look at the RANE ME60 or GE60's (same things, the GE's just have longer throw sliders).

All that said, I think you're best bet is a used DSP, like a Soundweb 9088 or similar. Then you can replace all your control, processing, EQ, with one unit. Since something like a Soundweb can be 8 in, 8 out you would likely have enough I/O to control monitors as well.

I've found that in a fixed install where the setup is relatively static (most churches fall into this) that you don't need to be constantly adjusting the EQ's for monitors. Once you set it up once it may need occasional tweaks but those are easy enough to do from the computer interface.

A quality DSP with variable parametric filters is almost always preferred on FOH, especially a fixed install system and I find that it's preferred to me as well on monitors in those same situations.

[waynehoskins]

Agree on DSP. Not only good for the main PA, but monitors as well. At my church we have four wedge mixes, all running through a BSS 8810 (another good DSP option, essentially the same as Crown USM 810) along with the some of the main system. The monitor path is very simple, a high-pass, a shallow notch around 3k, and a limiter, and no feedback problems, no need to adjust it.

You might put in a good 1/3-octave EQ on the FOH mix, in front of the DSP, if many bands with their own engineer come through. This EQ would be out most of the time, but if the band engineer wanted to change the system response, he could change it there temporarily. On the other hand, he shouldn't have to adjust it if you have the system tuned well, so it's probably not worth it in most cases. I don't have one inline at my church.

[Tim Padrick]

15 band is good as a channel tone control when the channel strip won't do the job, or as sidechain EQ for a comp or gate. Useless for house or monitors.

If you don't mind having to use a PC via Ethernet, look for a used Rane RPM88 ($850 to $1000 - MSPR $3000). 8In/8Out (plus 2 AES I/O). Graphic, Parametric, FBX, Comps/Limiters, Crossovers, Mixers,...... Add a wireless router, and you can control it from anywhere in the room - great for ringing out wedges. The only thing I don't like is the lack of channel linking for when you want to use it for stereo mixes (it does have stereo comps).

[coolbaci]

Hi,

Following this up, some Soundweb 9088iis have become available at a good price. Some have line, some mic/line. Seems the mic/line would be best, but the http://www.bssaudio.com/product_down..._sw9088iis.doc

Mentions differences input in impendances, am I correct in thinking using a mic/line card with a A&H GL2400 for Mains and AUX would be fine?

Also, assuming we have no delays specifically set in the unit, does anyone know what the minimum /maximum (with no delay) latency of the unit is from input to output? Does the maximum latency depend on how much processing is applied.

Thanks

[Tim Padrick]

One thing to keep in mind about the Soundweb: When you want to make changes, you must have a computer file to load - you cannot connect to the computer and adjust it live, or save from the computer, make the changes, and load it back in.