EQ for String Players

EQ is one of the most powerful tools we have for sculpting our sound. It's also one of the most misused and misunderstood.
This video is centered on practical application, especially for people new to the world of EQ
We've got several more videos on EQ. (That's how important it is)
Here's one about the science of EQ: • FCTR: Equalization Par...
Here's one about applying it in a studio: • FCTR: EQ Part 2 - Appl...
Here's one about high pass filters: • How to Use a High Pass...
And here's one about EQ to address bow noise: • Techniques for Dealing...

[@Firstinversion899]

Hey Matt, I just came back to this after a month and I wanted to let you know that it really is the best review of how to use EQ for amplified strings that I have come across. Every bit of it is helpful, and I just wanted to thank you for sharing your wisdom.

[@ElectricViolinShop]

Thanks so much!

[@MoyCompany]

Thank you Matt for your practical approach in all your presentations. It's so much interesting and constructive than basic recipes ! Cheers from France

[@andypastor4693]

Great tip on EQ early in the chain! Thanks

[@jamesmcinnis208]

This is really helpful. I wish more sound engineers gave the time and attention that you advise, especially when there's a singer. So many of them compete with the accompanist, and the instrument wins. This is especially risky with violin, since it's so similar to voice.

[@leica2848]

This was so helpful! I've started playing with a couple rock bands, and have had such a hard time getting my volume and tone balanced. This gave me so much information and was explained so clearly. I can't thank you enough!!

[@jeremiahshapiro8422]

Excellent presentation. And really timely for what I'm dealing with at present. Thank you!

[@navaneethswaminathan6731]

Thanks a ton, Matt for the amazing information which you always put for the benefit of so many string players!! This topic is one of the best to start with always and experiment more as we go!! Thank you!!😇🤩

[@nohellleganch7130]

Great recap'! Thank you!!

[@subixbarbarasson6052]

This presentation is absolutely awesome. I love it.

[@meals24u]

*This info is worth money* 💰

[@AC5SH]

Great vid :) Oh yeah, I was a sound guy for a while. Lol Yeah, buddy! It's tough to keep everybody happy. And you are absolutely correct on how it changes every night/ when the room fills up, even when the weather changes. Folks have no idea, it's a never ending battle. It was fun though :) Tim O

[@arye_amsalem]

Thanks. I needed to see this video ...

[@Cacau165]

Nice

[@JustFiddler]

matur suksma

[@Firstinversion899]

This was particularly helpful Matt. Thanks! here’s my set up, followed by my question. I do live looping with a boss RC 500. I have a Boss EQ 200 and an Electro Harmonix Bass9 (usually on the precision setting at 100%), both following a Fishman Aura Spectrum that I intend to replace with a Grace Designs Bix. I play both fiddle and mandolin (both with good pick ups) into the system and out to a Fishman Loudbox Mini Charge. It is really noticeable how much energy/power the lower frequencies of the octave pedal contribute, which is one of the reasons I got the EQ 200, so I could adjust EQ presets and get a visual of them. Do you prefer EQ prior to an octave pedal or after, and why? Thanks again for a great lesson!

[@MattBellViolinist]

I EQ early and often. I’d experiment with it in both places to see which one gives me the result I like.

[@screaminglegs]

Great vid, as usual, Matt. Will a graphic eq pedal work as a high-pass filter (100Hz slider at -15dB, and maybe the 200Hz at -5/10dB) to eliminate bow thump? Or is a dedicated HPF required? Thanks!

[@ElectricViolinShop]

It can function a bit that way, yes.

[@lorenzweston-salzer2632]

Hey Matt, thanks very much for this video! Currently I have a fishman piezo pickup running into a multi effects pedal (which has EQ at the end of the effects chain) and then have that plugged into my LR Baggs para DI with XLR to the desk and line out to my AER set up as a foldback. I like this set up because I can control my own volume on stage without effecting the PA volume. This set up however has all the EQ at the END of the signal chain. It makes total sense to start with EQ though to get the best sound. Why would my multi effects pedal have EQ at the end of the chain then? even when using the effects loop of my para di the DI's EQ is still set to be AFTER the effects... Do you have any thoughts on this set up? Thanks in advance

[@ElectricViolinShop]

Not really. Bottom line, if it sounds good, it is good and it doesn't really matter how you get there. That's half the fun of this - there are a hundred right ways to do any given thing.

[@Firstinversion899]

I have a few other questions that are about capturing acoustic fiddle with a microphone. I am trying to decide on a mic that will primarily be used to capture a fiddle in my home studio. I hear that for fiddle, condensers tend to be a bit harsh at the top end, needing EQ on input. I hear that tube condensers are better in this regard. I also hear that ribbon mics are more forgiving at the top end and thus tend to be nice choices for fiddle. I am eyeballing the Avantone CV-12 tube condenser with the Black Lion Audio mod, running $800. With these questions in mind, and if you were looking at spending something less than $1000 for one good home studio mic to capture fiddle, what microphones would you consider?

[@MattBellViolinist]

I’m nowhere near an expert on mic-ing acoustic violins. I’d reach out to Ian Cooper on social media. He’s my first call on that question.

[@JustFiddler]

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