The Smiley Face EQ

[loupey]

I thought this was interesting especially for bass guitar. I copied out 2 notes I thought stood out. Those notes confirm a few things I have thought about for a long time and have been greatly solved by using BFM designs. Not new info here but hopefully it will help some find tone happiness without relying on amp/cab makers marketing departments.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smiley_face_curve

Note 13: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smiley_fac ... te_note-12
Note 16: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smiley_fac ... te_note-15

ADDED: http://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/jw/hearing.html

[loupey]

No new news to many sound reinforcement guys here regarding ELC's (Equal Loudness Contours) where the subject of psychoacoustics. Certainly nothing new about the "smiley" or "disco" smile but in the discussion of the subject is where a couple gems, in my opinion, are found.

Note 12 is titled, "GK Backline 600 Review by Francis Deck, 12/22/05" and states on page 3 [incidentally, he plays URB in addition to EB]:

"As an electronics hobbyist, I am interested in gaining a better understanding of how bass amps work. It is also my hypothesis that the "sound" of a solid state bass amp is primarily driven by the frequency response of the preamp. If two amps sound different, the root cause is likely to be found in the response curves."

He found though measurements that a "flat" setting on the GK Backline to be:

Treble = -2
Hi Mid = +1
Lo Mid = -1
Bass = -3
Contour = Minimum

The balance of the article is regarding power testing. Overall I wish amps were tested exactly like PC reviews that have benchmarks, measurements, with a view to an objective opinion than qualities. But the point is that the "default voice" of this amp is similar to the "smiley face" EQ where the bass and treble are turned up and the mid scooped slightly.

The 2nd note, Bass EQ Basics by Dan Berkowitz, in a nutshell found that the 'upsidedown' smiley face curve worked well with his setup:

"When I discovered the power of mids, things started to shape up and I was able to fit in with the band’s mix better by finesse. Keep that idea in mind the next time you’re having trouble with your bass EQ at a gig. Avoid the temptation to set up the smiley face on amp. And bring out a smile for the frown."

One surprising find, to my anyway, is that the "voice" of an amp is not always flat. To take for granted that ALL amps are actually flat and zeroed settings is a generalization that works but with exceptions. About the only personal I want to add is that tweaking EQ at low volume will generally end up with a smiley face type curve, certainly with a boost of bass. But if you turn it up don't forget to turn the bass down!

The link to test your hearing is to "see" for yourself how certain frequencies behave in terms of loudness. It is one thing to know what the books say but it is quite another thing to experience it in a semi-controlled environment. It serves to train one's ear to recognize certain frequencies as a side benefit.

EDIT: Fixed link