| Author | Message | ||
| shae
New Username: shae Post Number: 1 Registered: 10-2007 |
I recently installed PE-1 activators with volume and filter module in a p-bass. What would a q-switch do, and can it even be added with the PE-1? | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 1653 Registered: 6-2002 |
The filter module probably has a permanent Q, which is a boost of 8dB at the cut-off frequency where you set the filter. If you sustain a note, and turn the filter at least a quarter turn open-and-shut, you get a bit of a wah effect. The standard Q switch allows you to eliminate the 8dB boost, although there is always a very small natural boost. Without the boost, the wah effect is barely noticeable. In any case, if you leave the filter where it is, the Q has effect only on the attack of the note. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2669 Registered: 7-2004 |
Adriaan: I think you have it backwards. A filter with no Q has no boost at the cut-off frequency. Flipping on the Q switch adds boost at the cut-off frequency. Bill, tgo | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 1654 Registered: 6-2002 |
Bill, nope - if you have an Alembic with a filter but no Q switch, then the standard setup is for the Q boost to be engaged all the time, with no way of turning it off. This is true for the Essence package, and for the Activator packages that include a filter. Adding a Q switch allows you to turn off the boost, although you still get a little bump at the cut-off frequency which is typical for a LPF. | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 879 Registered: 2-2005 |
For the Essence electronics that came in my Orion it is as Adriaan describes. The 8db boost is always on. Adding the Q switch allowed me to turn the boost off. I do not know if the same is true for the Activators. Keith | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2670 Registered: 7-2004 |
See below. (Message edited by lbpesq on October 22, 2007) | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2671 Registered: 7-2004 |
Both my Alembic Tele and Strat sets came with filters only. I added Q switches. When the Q is engaged, it adds, not subtracts, boost. On my old Electrum, my '76 Series I guitar, and my '77 Series I 12 string, the Q adds, not subtracts boost. All of the postings dealing with Q speak of the switch adding boost. Your's is the first posting I've seen that contends the Q switch subtracts boost. Maybe the basses are different from the guitars? Bill, tgo | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1185 Registered: 10-2003 |
Bill is correct. The Q-switch adds a peak at whatever frequency the filter is set to. Without a Q-switch, the filter is a low-pass without a peak. John | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 1655 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hey guys, opinions galore here, where facts are needed. Fact is that the standard Essence bass does not have a Q switch, and it has the 8 dB boost engaged all the time. The same applies to the (discontinued) Persuader basses, which were the showcase model for the Activator packages. | ||
| shae
New Username: shae Post Number: 2 Registered: 10-2007 |
Okay let's see if this helps...The filter does make the little Wah effect as Adriaan described. So if I add the q switch it would simply act as a cut for the boost when in the off position. Does anybody recommend actually adding one and does it add that much versitility? | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 880 Registered: 2-2005 |
What I said was the Essence package the 8db boost hardwired on. This is what my Orion came with. Since the boost can be a bit too much I added a Q switch after the fact. By adding the Q switch I can now turn the boost off or if you prefer if there is no boost I can turn it on. :-) Shae, In my opinion it was worthwhile adding the Q switch to my Orion. I play most of the time with no boost and only turning it on when needed. At least for my bass it was a fairly inexpensive way to increase flexibility. Keith | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2672 Registered: 7-2004 |
How about anyone else on this? Has anyone else had the experience of a Q switch subtracting boost? Am I nuts? Are my 3-way Q switches subtracting even more? It certainly sounds like they are adding, not subtracting. Bill, tgo | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Advanced Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 218 Registered: 10-2006 |
I don't think there's really a disagreement here. Bill, your axes all have Q switches - which means in one position there's no boost, in the other(s) there is boost. On instruments with a filter but no Q switch, the boost is always on, so adding it gives you the option of turning it off. Thus, when you add the switch, it has the same function as one that came as factory equipment: you can turn the boost on & off. Stand it on its head, Bill - the stock Essence is, in effect, your guitar with the Q on. So if you add the switch, it is, in fact, subtracting - just as you subtract Q when you turn it off. Same function, but with a different starting reference. Peter | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 1657 Registered: 6-2002 |
Bill - there is no subtraction of the boost, you just get an on/off switch for the boost. The standard packages without the Q switch (e.g. Essence) are internally wired so that there is always an 8 dB boost at the cut-off frequency - this is the 'signature' Alembic sound. Shae - I definitely recommend adding a Q switch. Personally, I find the default 8 dB is too much, and had my Spoiler electronics modified with a three-way 0/3/6 dB Q switch. The 3 dB increments are subtle but noticeable. | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 881 Registered: 2-2005 |
Bill, Nobody is saying subtract we are saying the boost is either on or off. When the 2 position Q switches on my basses are down the boost is on. This is adding the 8db boost to the cutoff frequency. When the switch is up there is no boost at the cutoff frequency( i.e. it is off). For a 3 position switch it would be off, boost a small amount at cutoff and boost more at the cutoff. For the Essence electronics the Q switch is an upgrade. Instead of a switch the basic Essence electronics are hardwired to always have boost at the cutoff frequency. As has been said the Alembic sound. When you add the Q switch you now have choice to have a boost at the cutoff frequency (on) or to not have a boost at the cutoff frequency (off). Keith | ||
| mr_tuvok
New Username: mr_tuvok Post Number: 6 Registered: 10-2007 |
How much does it cost & where can it be purchased? | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 5575 Registered: 5-2002 |
As for the Essence, I agree with Adriaan, Keith, and Peter. When I had my Essence upgraded with a Q switch, I was told (by Mica and/or Val) that the standard Essence package has the "Q" hardwired to always be on, to always boost the cutoff frequency. The upgrade to add the switch gave me the option to turn off the boost. I don't know about the Activator packages (or if I did, I no longer remember), so I can't speak to those. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 5576 Registered: 5-2002 |
Barry, you can contact Alembic here. Keep in mind that the shop has been significantly inundated with an outbreak of flu. I don't know the current price of a Q switch ordered by itself, but you can get a ballpark idea from the fact that as an addition to an Activator order, the switch is $50. | ||
| terryc
Advanced Member Username: terryc Post Number: 308 Registered: 11-2004 |
As Dave says the Q's add decibels not subtract them unless which perspective you look at it. Leave it on then turn it off or vice versa I like to leave them on and annoy the PA engineer!!!..Have to pad it man!!!! | ||
| keurosix
Advanced Member Username: keurosix Post Number: 203 Registered: 10-2005 |
Hello Shae, welcome to the club. If you can afford it, ask Mica about a 3 position Q switch. The extra versatility will yield more available sounds at your command. You won't be sorry. Kris |
