EQ PEDALS

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EQ pedals adjust the relative amplitudes of the frequencies within a guitar or bass signal. An EQ pedal, when set correctly, helps to balance the sound of the guitar/bass by boosting and/or cutting certain frequency ranges (bands), improving the signal’s sound/character within a mix and by itself.

What Is EQ?

EQ (equalization) is the process of adjusting the balance between frequencies within an electronic signal.
In terms of audio, EQ typically works on the audible frequency range between 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz though some EQ units are capable of affecting frequencies beyond this audible range.

By adjusting the balance between audible frequencies, EQ can raise the level of (boost) some frequencies while lowering the level of (cutting) some other frequencies. It may simultaneously leave other frequencies untouched while completely removing other frequencies from the signal altogether.

Wampler EQuator

Dr Scientist Frazz Dazzler Fuzz & EQ

Another way of looking at EQ is as a frequency-specific volume/gain control. We can turn up some frequencies while turning others down.
The frequencies affected by EQ are typically referred to a “bands”. A band of frequencies is essentially a range of frequencies with a low point and a high point. The frequency spectrum of audio/sound waves is continuous, and so EQ doesn’t only affect a single specified discrete frequency.
EQ is an invaluable tool for audio mixing. Equalization and compression are the two most commonly-used tools in audio mixing and mastering.

Gamechanger Audio Plasma

Digitech DOD-GONKULATOR EQ

Aguilar Tone Hammer Bass EQ

EarthQuaker Devices Tone Job V2 EQ

EQ can correct the response of a less-than-ideal instrument pickup or other transducer (microphone, headphone, loudspeaker).
EQ can eliminate unwanted noise and other “problem frequencies” from a signal.
EQ can be tuned to “tune the room”, thereby reducing standing waves in an acoustic environment and mitigate the risk of feedback in an audio/sound system.
EQ can help place an element more appropriately in a mix.
EQ can adjust the timbre/tone of an instrument/source to improve its sonic character.

It’s critical that audio engineers understand EQ thoroughly, and it’s equally important for guitarists, bassists, and all musicians to understand, at the very least, the basics of this tool.
If EQ is used to affect the frequency response of an instrument to improve its sonic character and make it fit better in a mix, then surely guitars and bass guitars could benefit from having their own EQ inline with a pedal.

MXR M109S Six Band EQ

Shelf & Bell EQs

Shelf and bell EQs allow us to boost (increase relative amplitude) or cut (decrease relative amplitude) different frequency bands of the signal.

Big Tone Music Brewery EQ’d

Digitech EQ

High-Shelf EQ
Shelf EQ is done with a first-order filter, meaning it can alter the response of frequencies above (or below) a point. In the case of a high-shelf EQ, we’re affecting the amplitude above a certain setpoint. First-order filters can have a slope of up to 6 dB per octave in the transition region.

In the case of a shelf filter, the transition region is the frequency range between where the EQ begins altering the amplitude and the point at which the appropriate amplitude change is achieved.
So a high-shelf filter is used to increase (boost) or decrease (cut) the amplitude of a signal above a certain set frequency. When it comes to guitar/bass pedals, treble control is typically a high-shelf EQ.

T-Rex Engineering NITROS EQ

Caline Guitar EQ

Joyo CHOPPER-Z R-18 EQ

Dr.J Series 3 Band EQ

Low-Shelf EQ
A low-shelf EQ is another shelf-type EQ, meaning it’s a first-order filter. This time, the EQ is focused on adjusting the relative amplitude of frequencies below a set point.
A low-shelf filter is used to increase (boost) or decrease (cut) the amplitude of a signal below a certain set frequency. When it comes to guitar/bass pedals, bass control is typically a low-shelf EQ.

Bell EQ
A bell EQ is perhaps the most commonly-used control in dedicated EQ units.
The bell filter, like the shelf filters, is capable of boosting or cutting frequency-specific amplitudes. However, unlike the aforementioned shelves, the bell EQ tool is a second-order filter.
Second-order filters are capable of producing resonance (boost in EQ) or anti-resonance (cut in EQ) around a specified frequency. Bell-type EQ takes advantage of this.
This is unlike first-order filters, which can only affect frequencies above or below a set point. Bell EQ affects the amplitude at (and around) a set point.

Three factors define the response of a bell EQ:
Frequency
Q (quality factor)
Gain

Rockaway Archer 6 Band EQ

Jackson Audio Optimist Dual Overdrive and EQ

Keeley Dark Side

Fathom Multi-Function

Source Audio EQ2

Frequency refers to the centre point of the bell EQ tool. This is the frequency at which the boost or cut will be at its maximum. This is measured in Hertz (Hz)
The Q (quality factor) is dimensionless and refers to how narrow/steep or wide/gentle the boost or cut will be. A higher Q will produce a narrow band in which a smaller range of frequencies is affected.
Gain is measured in decibels (dB) and refers to the relative change in amplitude caused by the bell EQ. Boosts will have positive gain, while cuts will have negative gain. Note that “gain” here is only relative to the 0 dB “starting point” of the overall EQ.

Filters

The term “filter” can be confusing. For example, I used it to describe the shelves and bell EQ tools in this article, and now I’m using it to define a whole other set of EQ tools. It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, but please bear with me.
In general, when the term “EQ” is used, it refers to the boosting and cutting of various frequency bands in an audio signal. When the term “filter” is used, it generally refers to the elimination of certain frequencies from a signal.

Boss EQ-200 Graphic Equalizer

There are plenty of pedals dedicated to audio equalization and even more pedals that offer other effects that have some type of EQ built-in.
They can be analog or digital, and, as we’ll get to in a minute, they can be fixed-frequency, graphic, parametric or semi-parametric.
So then, an EQ pedal can be put in-line in our guitar/bass rig and help to clean up our signal/tone by balancing out the frequency content.

Graphic EQ Pedals

Graphic EQ pedals feature graphic EQ interfaces. These pedals have set frequency points (typically octaves apart) with amplitude sliders to adjust the boost or cut of each set frequency.
It also acts as a boost pedal with volume control and make-up gain.

Clarksdale Overdrive 3 Band EQ

Tech 21 QStrip

Parametric EQ Pedals

Parametric EQ pedals allow us to adjust the frequency points to be boosted or cut along with the “Q” or “sharpness” or the boost/cut. Generally, we can set one or more frequency values for each band (lows, low-mids, high-mids, highs, etc.)

Semi-Parametric EQ Pedals

Semi-parametric EQ pedals allow some of the same functionality of parametric EQs but not all. The typical “bass, mids and treble” adjustments can be classified as semi-parametric.

Empress Effects

Fender Full Moon

Fish & Chips 7 Band EQ

Many pedals will have some EQ capabilities even though they are not dedicated EQ pedals themselve

A few benefits of a properly set-up EQ pedal include:
Removing low-end noise and electromagnetic interference with high-pass filtering.
Reducing problem frequencies by notching them out.
Mitigating feedback by reducing standing-wave frequencies in the signal.
Improving the overall mix by focusing the guitar or bass into its harmonic range.
Enhancing tone by boosting “good” frequencies and cutting “bad” frequencies.

Recommended EQ Pedals

JOYO EQ Pedal 10 Band

A 10 band slide control dials in deep lows, fantastic bright mids and crystal clear high end frequencies.
JOYO 10 band Graphic EQ effect pedal is suitable for both Bass and Guitar, giving you shaping control over frequency band ranges from 31.25 Hz to 16 kHz.

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Empress Effects Heavy Dual-Channel

From crisp, mid-driven ’80s metal, to scooped, modern down-tuned brutality, this little box of sonic mayhem does it all. The two independent channels can be voiced similarly so that one channel can be used as a solo boost, or they can be voiced entirely differently by using the mid-range control in conjunction with the 3-position mid-frequency select switch.

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Bogner Ecstasy

This is our successful Ecstasy blue pedal in a small housing, just like the the big brother it captures the classic blue channel tone of the legendary amplifier, acclaimed for its ability to deliver iconic and classic rock-n-roll crunch. Blue delivers stunning Plexi tones, but when the going gets rough, make no mistake – blue can crush on demand.

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Wampler EQuator Advanced Audio Equalizer

Whether you’re wanting a fully customizable clean boost, the ability to fine-tune the tone of another pedal, or to just bring out the best in your guitar, bass or any instrument you choose to plug into it – we crafted the Wampler EQuator to be the tonal sweetener you need to get the job done.

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Caline CP-81 10 Band EQ

The new 10 Band EQ is based on our CP-24 10 Band EQ, now with an added volume channel. You can really fine tune your tone with this EQ pedal due to the massive range of channels

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Fishman Platinum Pro EQ

Completely redesigned from the ground up, the all-analog Platinum Pro EQ universal instrument preamp delivers incredibly accurate sonic detail for any acoustic instrument.

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Bass Guitars

Acoustic Guitars

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