H90 as Acoustic Guitar Preamp

Hello,

I have not used the Grace Bix but it looks like the EQ section is made up of a low/high shelf. https://www.gracedesign.com/support/manuals/BiX_Owners_Manual_RevC.pdf

Using EQ/Compressor, you can get a similar EQ control by only adjusting the Bass and Treble controls (these are low/high shelf controls.) The frequencies of the low/high shelf in EQ/compressor are not the same frequencies that are offered in the Bix EQ circuit, so it will not be exactly the same, but it would be a good starting point. You could use the Bass and Treble controls as a starting point and the add in the other 2 bands if necessary.

https://cdn.eventideaudio.com/manuals/h90/1.9.7/content/algorithms/eq.html#eq-compressor

The_Gangler wrote:

Anybody have thoughts/ideas/recommendations? Perhaps starting places for the parameters. There is a preset called “Acoustic Electric” (or is it “Electric Acoustic”), but that seems tuned to be more of an acoustic simulator?

Expanding on @tskoglund’s reply:  The Flat EQ Preset is a a neutral starting point to get a feel for the algorithm.  Subtle compression would be nudging the Compression parameter right of center (‘standard’ Post-EQ routing).  The auto-adjusting parameters do most of the heavy lifting from there.

The two parametric bands overlap in the midrange, but it may be useful to approach Gain-Frequency-Width 1 for bass, low-mids and into the mids, with Gain-Frequency-Width 2 for midrange through upper-mids & highs.  Acoustic guitar EQ is very specific to the strengths & weakness of the instrument itself, and it’s position in the mix, so no hard & fast rules here.

For example, a Bass shelving cut at 400 Hz. could be too high for a solo instrument, yet blend perfectly with other instruments.  The fundamental frequencies live around 80 – 400 Hz. (open strings),  The upper end of that range can bring up the warmth (slight boost) or the mud (slight cuts).  So that’s within the range of Parametric 1.  You can use Parametric 2 & Treble for more or less emphasis on presence and pick attacks.

All generalities, that omit your particular guitar’s characteristics.  You may need to switch compression to Pre-EQ to adjust for those, for the reverb that follows, or for your playing technique.  A few important point about EQ: cutting frequencies is often better than blindly boosting them.  Wider “Q” is going to sound smoother & more natural on an acoustic.  And don’t neglect the overtones area, say 500-2000 Hz.

The_Gangler wrote:

… some of the controls on in the EQ program are so technical, I’m having a hard time knowing the best way to use it in this way.

Here’s a technique I learned to use with parametric EQs, to zone in on where cuts or boosts need to be:

• Pick one of the parametric EQs. Dial Gain up +12 dB, Width to 1.
• You now have a very narrow, over-exaggerated emphasis.
• Slowly sweep the Frequency control over the acoustic guitar playing.
• Could be over a looped phrase, or change the Frequency with a HotKnob or EXP pedal.

This is going to help you to target exactly where your adjustments should be made.

• Once you have specific Frequencies in mind, increase the Width, and bring the Gain back down.
• Now you’ll have an idea of what & where you need to boost or cut.
• Repeat that process using the next parametric EQ.