Carl Martin 3-Band Parametric EQ

Straightforward layout. Not hard to use if you are familiar with parametric equalizers. Built in power supply is okay, I guess. You can't use standard effect pedal barrel plugs on this guy. You've got to dedicate an outlet to it.

Boy was I expecting more out of this pedal, given what I paid and what I know about Carl Martin stuff. I actually returned my first pedal because the midrange knob was sticking. The new pedal I received had working knobs. BUT, both pedals were very NOISY. Noise has never been a problem for my setup-- '78 ES-335, Keeley RAT, occasionally Analogman chorus, some delay, reverb etc. all into a Mesa F-50 (a pretty damn quiet tube amp). Regardless of whether the pedal was engaged, or its placement in my chain (in front, end, middle, effects loop), there was an annoying buzz-- a kind of mid-range hum/buzz. It was simply too much for me to deal with. It was there at all gain levels. EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING! I give a 2 because at least the pedal seemed transparent.

Hardly used it. Seems to be built like a tank.

Here's where Carl Martin gets some praise. Soren, who responded to my emails (in English!), was very helpful, I am pretty sure CM is located in Denmark, which makes this service all the more noteworthy. However, he said that he had no idea what was causing my noise problems, and that they have never had noise issues with the EQ/preamp pedal.

Obviously this pedal is not a hunk of junk-- handmade by a very well respected effects maker. But the noise ruined everything for me, because I expected this thing to be silent given the price and reputation. I am not going to try another one, now that I have experimented with two of the pedals. I'm returning it for a refund. The quest for a high-quality, QUIET, and compact guitar EQ continues....

Keep in mind, that the conception of a parametric EQ (even if it's semi parametric like this unit = only the center and gain of the band can be adjusted, not the bandwidth) is not easy to understand for the average user. Having used and tried out parametrics for decades I have had no problems using it, but definatley I miss a detailled manual. The provided manual may be fine for parametric beginners who wouldn't understand the conception of what they are up to, but is pretty poor for pro's. The built in preamp is easy to use.

My setup: L5CES Archtop - Carl Martin Parametric EQ/Preamp - TC SCF - Ernie Ball Vo. Pedal - Stereo into 2 AER Compact 60 Amps

I'm using it mainly to eliminate howl in the low register, i can hear some noise but even the quietest pedals never come without. The possible alterations are subtle to powerful. The quality of sound is round, fat and mellow as only in the best available units. Incredible good sounding preamp.

I totally trust this gadget and I'm usually using it without backup.

I tried for a better manual, was told that it is in the process of beeing designed but got the impression that this could as well take forever. So i would say the person i emailed was friendly, but not very helpful.

Good unit to round up my sound. I've been professionally playing for 20 years, almost exclusively in the straight ahead jazz idiom. If it were stolen, i would immediatly buy a new one. I especially like the built in powersupply and the sturdyness of the unit.

Well. it is not a toy. The knobs are rather intuitive, so you have to experiment a lot to get desired sound. Especially mid knob is linked to parametric eq. Once you move mids way up you have to decrease other eq. Frankly it took me couple of weeks, yes yes, to obtain my dream island. My regard of sound changes from time to time...But when it happened.... I think I am stuck with CM for ever. Getting good sound is subjective thing although the effect is very tweakable, you can shape the sound whatever you want to. It is not boss 7 band eq but knobs give you wide array of frequencies.

Here is my story
2 years a go I bought Evans Jazz Enclosure 150 custom made amp from USA. He was claimed as cleanest solid state amp, made for jazzers etc. it costed me a fortune to bring it here to Poland where I live. My first impression was great but after some time in high volume situation I felt like the amp was mudding some notes.
With heart on my shoulder like we in Poland say I have made my decision to sell this dull, muddy beauty. I said to myself, lets get queen of clear as someone stated - famous Roland Jazz Chorus 120. With this I cant go wrong, can I.... And again I plugged my every guitar and the same nightmare appeared. Sound covered with old jacket that?s what I thinking. So I came to the point, OBVIOUS FOR YOU PROBABLY, that it is a normal situation that is higher volume all amps tends to darker the tone and ad some mids due to specifics of nature of guitar pickups. I play over 10 years metal, rock but primarly jazz and wacky classic music-country horror but I havent noticed obvious truth. I though that is how it must be. AND I GOT CARL MARTIN BOX. AMAZING. Maybe I am sort of guy who sings loud cause one never played with equalizer but this one changed my life. My dream was to obtain those pristine tones of for instance Bill Frisell or woody Pat Martino grace. Of course, in home studio you can get almost that sound but in live situation it occurs very troubly. Those damn mids, that mud , you say BUY YOURSELF ACOUSTIC GUITAR,ok, I wanted clear, round, articulate sound and this box gave that!!!!!!!
I use Yamaha Sa2200 semiacoustic archtop guitar, Epiphone Emperor from 80-ies, Alhambra 9P nylon string guitar with onboard Fishman preamp along with Carl Martin Compressor, Boss TU-2, vintage Pro Co Rat and sometimes TC Electronic M300 signal processor, all with Planet Waves cables.
With that gear I can get any sound I want. ANY!!!!!!
There is some slight hiss but only in trebely and maximum frequency situations.
It is called preamp, well maybe it is one, maybe it kills yours amps sound, maybe, but one thing I am sure of, I found my sound with my dutch box. I pretend that this box translates the language of my amps to my liking. Evans sounds terrific, Roland JC is demolition monster now. My sound is not very organic as you would expect from jazzman or psychodelic musician, rather cold somehow, but I tweak it to my preferences, one likes chicken , other likes ducks. This box is a must for chicken and or ducks consumers...........
With distortion before it in signal chain Carl Martin rules!!! Sound possibilities are endless, from grind core, through sevendust new metal to Jeff Beck s cries.

I have this one for one year now and it never failed me. The box seems to be durable, built in adapter is great feature. No problems so far

Never dealted with them, hope I want have to......

I play mixed jazz, rock, psychodelic music with ambience. EQ suits for every music!!!! poor are the ones who dont aproach the bliss of equalization!!!! What can you think about effect which saves you a few thousand dollars for useless search for perfect amp and sound. I play it through Evans or recently Roland Jazz Chorus 120 vintage one from mid eighties, and the tone is superb, no mud, sound like you can hear on studio recordings...well almost. I paid for it only 100USD new. If it costed 300USD I would do that again, with no hesitation. Maybe there are some better units, but I think they are placed in proffesional studio machinery. It is light, compact. Dont have much experience with EQ but I am staying with Carl Martin. I have also their Compressor Limiter and it is awesome! Reliable company, no question about it!
I love it, despite the fact it can generate some little hiss.
With my trusty archtopped yamaha I can get strato sound glass and warm hot humbucker sound.
If I had to choose only one stomp box on desert island it would be CM EQ.

I did the previous post and I forgot to put the 3 knobs for frequencies "sorry, I was tired after working all night!"
Low band covers 20-500Hz
Mid band 220Hz-5.1kHz
High band 1.5-16kHz

This is a 3 band parametric Eq. Simple to use no matter how you slice it.
3 level knobs for low, mid, and high ( 15 db boost or cut ) and 1 level knob for the output.
This pedal has a 1/4 out as well as an X-tra line level XLR out.

I play through a Tech 21 Trade Mark 120. My pedals consist of;
Carl Martin Compressor Limiter
Boss NS-2 noise suppressor
Dunlop wah 535Q
Carl Martin Para Eq
Mesa Boogie V-1 Bottle rocket Overdrive
Electro harmonix Small stone phaser
Electro harmonix Deluxe memory man delay
Carl Martin Chorus X-II
I run the CM Eq in front of the Mesa OD to get a bit different gain going in.
No noise comes from this thing at all! Above all, this thing is eXtremely transparent and sounds awesome because you really cant hear it. LoL!

Rock solid for 6 months and I feel confident that it will remain that way
It's built like a tank.
Back up on a gig? If something were to happen to it while giging I'm sure I could survive with out the Eq for the remainder of the show.

N/A
Hopefully I will never need to deal with them.

This is an Eq. It will work very good in anybody's set up.
I've owned the MXR and Boss Eq's and this thing blows them out of the water.
I'll rate this a 9 because it needs to run on A/C, cant use a battery.

easy ...straight out of box

lp standard tech 21 amp which is crap but ok for practice...a very good sound shaping tool for giggers and beginners .Can directly go straight to the mixing boards directly getting excellent results.The trick is to get a clean sound from it then add your modulation effects and the rest or set it as before distortion and just increase the volume and nescessary band of your choice for the flavor that you crave

built like HONGKONG BANK MAIN BRANCH IN CENTRAL HKSAR which means it will stand a nukecost

havent dealt with em and never will coz im sure its like a boss as long as u treat it with RESPECT

I play within the envelope and this baby can definitely play out side the envelope i havent gigged for a while but i know what i want
and i am happy with this purchase.....I HAVE SAID MY PIECE