Equalizer Theory

Equalizer (EQ)
Baginda Wicaksono 852018010

Satria Nugraha (852017011)
What is EQ?
● the process of adjusting the volume of different frequency bands within an audio signal is
called Equalization
● The circuit or equipment used to achieve this is called an equalizer.
● 2 different types of EQ: graphic and parametric
● EQ used in recording studios, radio studios and production control rooms, and live sound
reinforcement and in instrument amplifiers, such as guitar amplifiers, to correct or adjust
the response of microphones, instrument pick-ups, loudspeakers, and hall acoustics.
● Equalization may also be used to eliminate or reduce unwanted sounds (e.g., low-
frequency hum coming from a guitar amplifier), make certain instruments or voices more (or
less) prominent, and enhance particular aspects of an instrument's tone.
Short history
● Filtering audio dates back to acoustic telegraphy (a name for various methods of
multiplexing (transmitting more than one) telegraph messages simultaneously over a single
telegraph wire by using different audio frequencies or channels for each message.)
● Audio EQ variable first used by John Volkman working at RCA (1920s)
● First EQ uses slide control Langevin Model EQ-251A (graphic)
● Daniel N. Flickinger introduced the first parametric equalizer in early 1971.
Graphic & Parametric EQ

● In the graphic equalizer, the input signal is sent to a bank of filters
o Each filter passes the portion of the signal present in its own frequency range or
band.
o The amplitude passed by each filter is adjusted using a slide control to boost or cut
frequency components passed by that filter.
o The vertical position of each slider thus indicates the gain applied to that frequency
band, so that the knobs resemble a graph of the equalizer's response plotted versus
frequency.
● Parametric equalizers are multi-band variable equalizers that allow users to control the
three primary parameters: amplitude, center frequency, and bandwidth.
o The amplitude of each band can be controlled, the center frequency can be shifted,
and the bandwidth (which is inversely related to "Q") can be widened or narrowed.
How does EQ work

● EQ (usually) consists of a number of individual bands (from left to right): Low Cut (High Pass)
filter, Low Shelf filter, Bell filter (usually 1-4), High Shelf filter, and High Cut (Low Pass) filter.
● You are in full control of each band, as you can adjust several different parameters for each.
● ‘Frequency’ parameter allows you to set the frequency for each band.
● ‘Gain/Slope’ parameter allows you to set either the slope of the filter (Bands 1 and 8) or the
amount of gain (Bands 2-7).
● The Q parameter allows you to control the range of frequencies that you alter.
o A low Q setting – such as 0.83 – results in a wide bandwidth, which means it’s
affecting a large range of frequencies.
o A high Q setting – such as 20.0 – results in a narrow bandwidth and a smaller range
of frequencies affected.
EQ Frequencies and tips

● 20-60Hz, Sub Bass
o An appropriate amount of sub-bass can give your track a boost in low-end power,
but too much will make your low-end sound muddy and undefined.
● 60-250Hz, Bass
o A lot of basses may sound nice, but it can also completely overpower the rest of
your mix. As always, use with restraint.
● 250-1500Hz, Low Mid

o This frequency range is responsible for the warmth and atmosphere of a sound, but
there are a lot of instruments that occupy this space. To avoid frequency clashes
between these instruments, you'll need to thoroughly consider which sounds to
boost and by how much.
● 1500Hz-4kHz, High Mid

o If you're using a lot of lead synths, you will have a lot going on in this frequency
range. It’s also the sweet spot of the punch of most percussion instruments
(excluding kick drums).
● 4-7kHz Presence
o Boosting this frequency range can add clarity to the mix or specific sounds, but too
much can make an entire track tiresome to listen to.
● 7-20k Brilliance or Noise
o It is quite similar to presence in its use, but the higher end of this frequency range is
mostly hisses and noise. A small boost may give your mix a bit of breathing space,
but too much means you’re drowning the track in high-frequency noise.
Source
https://www.armadamusic.com/university/music-production-articles/eq-explained-the-basics
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equalization_(audio)

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Equalizer (EQ)

Baginda Wicaksono 852018010

● Daniel N. Flickinger introduced the first parametric equalizer in early 1971.

Graphic & Parametric EQ

How does EQ work

EQ Frequencies and tips

● 250-1500Hz, Low Mid

● 1500Hz-4kHz, High Mid

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