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5 Ways to use an EQ pedal – Expand your rig with one simple pedal!
Introduction
So, you may have seen that I recently reviewed the Behringer EQ700 pedal (Review Here), and I fell in love with it. The pedal is so cheap yet sounds great and is so usable! This got me thinking about several different ways that you can use an EQ pedal in your rig! So I thought I would experiment and come up with some ideas and ways that you can use them! They are for more than just basic EQ’ing!
Firstly, why don’t I show you what each of the examples sound like? I will go through each way below and show you what they sound like and also how you can set your EQ pedal to sound like that! I have a few examples of sounds to show you, so why don’t we dive into the video to hear them? Then we can go through and talk about each EQ pedal setting.
The Sounds!
Below is the video going through the sounds you can get from using your EQ pedal. I go through each setting, how to set your pedal to get the sound, and also what it sounds like using the pedal with various amp sounds. The amp tones are coming from my RD Custom Amp. This is a classic full-tube amp. I recorded all the sounds using the speaker out from my amp into my Two Notes Captor X with a 2X12 cab sim.
For the final sound example, you will hear the EQ pedal straight into my interface with a two-note capture on it. I will be using the same Cab Sim as the one above.
Make sure to head over to the video and let me know your thoughts on the sounds and uses! Looking forward to hearing all your thoughts on these uses! I am sure there are plenty more uses for an EQ pedal, so please let me know what you use an EQ pedal for.
"It is understandable why some people don’t get one or gel with the Tube Screamer!"
Way 1: Volume Boost Pedal
This is a super useful one! After a simple boost pedal? Look no further than your humble EQ pedal! Using the gain slider, you are able to add a little bit of boost to your signal for solos or even just pushing the amp a bit. You don’t need to go and buy an expensive clean boost pedal. Looking at those Klon clones? No need! Grab yourself an affordable EQ pedal, and you will be able to get a super nice clean boost!
If you want to, you could also boost some of the mids (400-600hz). This will allow your signal to poke out the mix a bit more and also means you won’t need to boost the volume as much to get front. Have a play around and see what your amp reacts well with! I always like to boost the top end as well just to add a bit of fizz to my boosted sound! An EQ pedal is the ultimate boost pedal!
Way 2: Treble Booster Pedal
Similar to the one above, you can also change your EQ pedal into a Treble Booster! The aim of a treble booster is to punch the front of your amp similar to a boost pedal, but doing it using the treble frequencies and not pure volume. This is super nice to get that Vox-like chime to your amp! It is a very unique sound! So much so that a lot of companies are now selling treble boosters!
Increase the higher frequencies of the pedal and start by leaving the overall gain alone. Push the higher end sliders up high and you will hear the difference! Then if you want to add even more you can increase the volume slider a little bit. This will lead to a slightly different sound than a straight volume booster! It is a much more “harsh” sound, but not in a bad way! Think Brain May! Famous for only using his Vox amp and a treble booster!
Way 3: Underdrive
Do you love how your amp sounds for solo and lead sounds? Well, set up your amp for your solo or lead tones and then use the EQ to bring the volume down. Not many people actually do this. Which is a shame because a lot of people will get a wonderful lead tone from their amps, then find out ways that they can get it using pedals. Using this way, you don’t have to worry about recreating it!
You could also cut some of the mids so that it sits back in the mix a bit more. If you do this, it won’t require you to bring the volume down as much. This is such a good idea if you love the high gain sound of your amp but find it a bit much for your rhythm playing. So set your amp up for solos, then use the EQ pedal to bring it back down when you need it.
Way 4: EQ Pedal
Of course, the main reason you might buy an EQ pedal is to EQ your sound! Put it at the end of your pedal board, and you will have full control of your rig and be able to adjust the sound and tighten it up as needed. I always thought I didn’t need an EQ pedal until I got one, and then you realise how useful they are and how they can help shape any sound!
Being able to boost or cut certain frequencies can help you tidy up your sound. This wouldn’t just be for tone reasons; some venues you go to might have some frequencies that respond poorly in the room. You will be able to cut this and adjust these using your EQ pedal. If you hear a frequency you don’t like, then go through the sliders increasing until the frequency is highlighted, then alter it to your taste! Sometimes it only takes a small adjustment!
Way 5: Fake a Pre Amp!
This may seem strange, but if you are using an amp that you feel might not have any life or needs a push, then an EQ pedal is a great way to simulate this. You can alter the frequencies, push some and crank the volume if you need to. This will add some character and enhancement to your amp. There are also many other reasons you might want to fake a preamp! However, I will get on to those shortly!
This is super useful if you are using a backline amp and want to alter the base tone! Plug your EQ pedal into the front of the amp and then adjust to settings to taste. You can even do this if you are recording your guitar direct! Plug the guitar into the EQ pedal, then EQ pedal into your interface. Then add a cab sim and adjust as you feel needed! You can then use an overdrive pedal to add some more crunch! You could also in a pinch use an Overdrive pedal, an EQ Pedal and a Cab Sim pedal as a full rig if you needed to!
Conclusion
Hope this article has helped you think of some creative ways to use an EQ pedal. I love creating articles like this because it really gets me trying out new things and spreading the word. I would highly recommend grabbing the Behringer EQ700 if you want to play around with one. They are super cheap and sound super good! I believe everyone should have an EQ pedal on their pedalboard for any “just in case” situations. The more you use them, the more you will find ways to use them. They are for more than just adjusting the EQ of your sound.
How do you use your EQ pedal? Head over to the YouTube video above and drop me a comment on how you use your EQ pedal! Would love to hear how you are all using your pedals and what you are using them for. Let me know if you like the video, also let me know if you don’t like the video! I welcome all kinds of feedback!
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Gigs & Guitars Affiliate Links:
- Behringer EQ700 (Thomann Affiliate)
- Behringer EQ700 (Andertons Affiliate)
- Andertons Affiliate Link
- Thomann Affiliate Link
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