Now I had quite a few gigs without any backline amp, the KPA going direct to the PA and the usual monitor wedges for me and all the others in the band or sometimes (in smaller places) I used a single active speaker from the venue. And one thing that really amazes me every time again is how few I can do with the KPA EQ when the sound that I meet at the soundcheck is just not right in the first place. I am really stunned and irritated!
When it sounds to boomy, ok then turning down the bass will help within limits. Yet it will also make the sound weaker and repositioning the speakers can do much more in this case. A brittle sound can be cured quite ok with the EQ, the presence control is great for this. But several times now I heard that it - hm - somehow was just too thin, and no mid control up or treble control down could ever get close to fixing it.
I am not talking about the quality of the KPA EQs - I think they are gorgeous, they have really musical center frequencies and plenty enough range. I am thinking about the limits of EQing itself when adapting your own sound to a foreign amplification system and to a certain room. Is there any of you with some more advice for others?