Using Equalization
The Hartke Systems Transient Attack® HS1200 Bass Amplifier gives you enormous
control over shaping the sound of your bass, using a process called equalization.
To understand how this works, it's important to know that every naturally occur-
ring sound consists of a broad range of pitches, or frequencies, combined together
in a unique way. This blend is what gives every sound its distinctive tonal color. EQ
controls allow you to alter a sound by boosting or attenuating specific frequency
areas—they operate much like the bass and treble controls on your hi-fi amp, but with
much greater precision. The HS1200 provides you with three bands of equalization.
Each EQ knob (labeled Low, Mid, and High, respectively) affects a different frequency
area (100 Hz, 300 Hz, and 5 kHz, respectively) and provides approximately 15 db of
boost and attenuation.
We carefully selected these frequency areas because they have maximum impact on
bass signals. For example, the Low (100 Hz) control affects the very lowest audible
frequencies (in fact, most humans cannot hear below 20 Hz), while the High (5 kHz)
control affects the "twang" of a bass string. When an EQ knob is in its center detented
position ("0"), it is having no effect. When it is moved right of center, the particular
frequency area is being boosted; when it is moved left of center, the frequency area is
being attenuated. Turning all EQ controls up the same amount will have virtually the
same effect as simply turning up the Volume; conversely, turning them all down the
same amount will have virtually the same effect as turning down the Volume. Both
approaches are pointless (after all, that's why we gave you a Volume control!)
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