They just don't know how to use it and don't understand compression or EQ. This thing works like the inverse of a compressor, affecting an adjustable frequency range. It's not an EQ. Anyone who says it's just like an EQ has no idea what they're talkkng about and gets their gear wizard card confiscated immediately. It reacts dynamically. You can use it to bring the pop out of slap bass or make a muddy neck guitar pickup sound like a sparkly one. In fact, it or a BBE rack is the secret to one of the most mind boggling clean tones out there... One that people have been trying to figure out for years, but can't. A little goes a long way. If you crank the mix knob, you will get hiss. Start with the mix at noon. Work your way up ULTRA slowly. Less might be more. Don't try to make it sound dramatic. On guitar, keep the frequency knob all the way to the left, or not much more above it. Try it at high volume first. If you adjust it at low volume, you might overdo it just so you can hear something. You tmnees your amp to totally drown out the acoustic sound coming directly from your physical guitar, or you will mess it up. You can also try a looper like a ditto in front of you have one. Play a guitar loop and adjust that way to find your sweet spot and leave it there. This might actually be the best way. People say it's subtle, but I've found they don't know what they're talking about and don't know how to use this thing. It can actually be extreme. Works best to clear up some cleans on a neck pickup or add pop to a bass