USING THE EQUALIZER CONTROLS
The graphic equalizer gives you precise contro! over particular bands
of frequencies. You can raise or reduce the volume level in each band
to obtain many different effects. There are several practical uses for
a graphic equalizer, as described below.
{) COMPENSATING
FOR SPEAKER
OR PHONO
CARTRIDGE RESPONSE
Most speakers and phono cartridges have peaks and dips in their
frequency response. The equalizer can be used to compensate for these
irregularities.
[2] COMPENSATING
FOR ROOM
ACOUSTICS
A room's size, furnishings, and the speaker system position will all affect
the acoustic response. Try adjusting the equalizer controls to achieve
a balanced sound that is not excessively bright or boomy.
Rooms furnished with carpets, curtains, and stuffed furniture will absorb
sound waves. Raise the level at 63Hz and 2kHz to recover lost bass
and treble.
Rooms having exposed hard surfaces will reflect sound waves. Try
raising the level at 125Hz to achieve more balanced response.
These are only suggestions. Each room is different, and the sound
changes with your listening position as well.
[3] ACTIVE
EQUALIZATION
—
COLORING
THE
SOUND
Professional recording engineers use graphic equalizers to bring out
particular instruments
and to ''color'' the sound
by emphasizing
particular tones.
You too can actively equalize the music by adjusting the equalizer
controls.
For example, boosting the level at 63Hz will give a bass drum more
punch. Boosting the level at 1kHz will bring the vocals forward, adding
more presence. Boosting the level at 8kHz will create a brighter cymba!
sound.
The harmonics of each instrument are also important, so tonal qualities
will change even when you adjust equalizer controls for frequencies
outside of the instrument's fundamental range.
NOTE:
To protect speakers from overload damage, do not raise amplifier
volume excessively when boosting the treble frequencies.
@ Cymbals
@ Trombone
@ Soprano
Piccolo
@ Alto
@® Flute
@) Tenor
Alto clarinet
&) Baritone
@ Tenor saxophone
© Bass
Oboe
@ Violin
@ English horn
® Cello
Bassoon
®) Contrabass
@) Bass drum
Guitar
@ Pipe organ
@) Piano
@® Electric Organ
@) Trumpet
10
<ARE1098>
4) MAKING EQUALIZED RECORDINGS
Special effects
Many interesting, if not musical, effects are also possible. For exam-
ple, you can create a telephone-like sound by raising the level at 500Hz,
1kHz, and 2kHz, while lowering all the other frequency levels.
Preventing feedback during mixing play
When
mixing a microphone
with another source,
you may notice
acoustic feedback or ''howling."" This can be prevented by lowering
the level at the frequency where the feedback occurs. This can be done
during recording as well as playback.
Making portable and car stereo tapes
Specially equalized recordings can be made for your car stereo system
or for a portable music system. Simply boost those frequency levels
that seem to be lacking in your other system, and reduce the level of
frequencies that seem excessive.
Noise reduction
You can reduce treble hiss by boosting the high frequencies in a stepped
pattern during recording, and then using the reverse switch to lower
the same frequencies during playback.
40
60
= 100
200
400
600
1k
2k
4k
6k
10k
20h
——»
Frequency
(Hz)