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Chapter 1 Amps and pedals 21
Amp Designer equalizer
Amp Designer equalizer overview
Hardware amplier tone controls vary among models and manufacturers. For example, the treble
knobs on two dierent models may target dierent frequencies or provide dierent levels of cut
or boost. Some equalizer (EQ) sections amplify the guitar signal more than others, thus aecting
the way the amp distorts.
Amp Designer provides multiple EQ types to mirror these variations in hardware ampliers. All
EQ types have identical controls—Bass, Mids, and Treble—but these controls can behave very
dierently depending on which EQ type you choose.
Selecting an EQ type other than the one traditionally associated with an amplier usually results
in signicant tonal changes. As with hardware ampliers, Amp Designer’s EQs are calibrated to
perform well with particular amplier models. Choosing other EQ types can sometimes produce
a thin or unpleasantly distorted tone.
Despite these less pleasant-sounding possibilities, it is worth experimenting with various
amplier and EQ combinations, because many will sound good together.
EQ pop-up menu
Bass, Mids,
and Treble knobs
EQ parameters
•
EQ pop-up menu: Click the word EQ or CUSTOM EQ above the Bass, Mids, and Treble knobs to
open the EQ pop-up menu, which contains the following EQ models: British Bright, Vintage,
U.S. Classic, Modern, and Boutique. Each EQ model has unique tonal qualities that aect the
way the Bass, Mids, and Treble knobs respond. See Amp Designer EQ types on page 22.
•
Bass, Mids, and Treble knobs: Rotate to adjust the frequency ranges of the EQ models, similar
to the way you would adjust the tone knobs on a hardware guitar amplier. The behavior and
response of these knobs changes when dierent EQ models are chosen.