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Step 3EQ: Equalization
For those of you who are new to audio, equalization refers to the control (boosting, cutting) of certain frequencies to achieve a better sound or to eliminate feedback or unwanted noises. The EQ section of most mixers will be located right under the gain control, and can consist of anything from 1 to 13+ knobs or 3 to 33 sliders.
Tone Knob: One knob that, when turned clockwise boosts high frequencies and lowers low, and vice versa. Sometimes called contour, and usually found on very small mixers.
2-3 Band: Consists of bass and treble knobs or Low - Mid - High knobs. I don't think I need to explain these.
Semi - Parametric: Usually a 3 or 4 band (Low, Low-mid, High-mid, High) containing at least one sweep. A sweepable control is one that has a pair of knobs: one chooses a frequency to boost or cut, and the other sets the boost or cut. The Frequency knob is called a sweep.The mixer below has one sweepable band.
Fully Parametric: Every band has a sweep to go along with it.
Graphic: These contain sliders instead of knobs. Each slider has a set frequency and is moved to change the presence of that frequency. These are not commonly found on channels, but are often found on the total mix (right before the output goes out). I have seen graphic EQs with 3 sliders and some with 31+ sliders.
As you progress in size from small mixers to large, you will find the amount of control over the EQ of each channel increasing. Many of the large boards, like the Soundcraft MH series, have a 3rd control knob on their fully-parametric EQ bands: Q. Just as the sweep sets the "center" frequency to be boosted, the Q sets how wide the boost range is. If you think of an EQ band as a line with a hill or bump in it, the sweep sets where the bump is, the boost sets how high the bump is, and the Q sets how wide the bump is.
Many digital mixers allow you to actually have a graphic EQ on each channel. You would select the channel on the screen, and set its EQ. These can be troublesome, however, if you need to quickly cut a particular frequency in a live show before it causes feedback and time is crucial.
I have told you how to use EQ, but not how to be good at it. Many times it is best for newbies to leave the EQ on flat (no frequencies boosted or cut) if possible. Mastering use of EQ takes experience and research. Remember, however, that it can make an OK sound sound good, and a good sound great, but it cannot replace what should be in a bad sound.
Tone Knob: One knob that, when turned clockwise boosts high frequencies and lowers low, and vice versa. Sometimes called contour, and usually found on very small mixers.
2-3 Band: Consists of bass and treble knobs or Low - Mid - High knobs. I don't think I need to explain these.
Semi - Parametric: Usually a 3 or 4 band (Low, Low-mid, High-mid, High) containing at least one sweep. A sweepable control is one that has a pair of knobs: one chooses a frequency to boost or cut, and the other sets the boost or cut. The Frequency knob is called a sweep.The mixer below has one sweepable band.
Fully Parametric: Every band has a sweep to go along with it.
Graphic: These contain sliders instead of knobs. Each slider has a set frequency and is moved to change the presence of that frequency. These are not commonly found on channels, but are often found on the total mix (right before the output goes out). I have seen graphic EQs with 3 sliders and some with 31+ sliders.
As you progress in size from small mixers to large, you will find the amount of control over the EQ of each channel increasing. Many of the large boards, like the Soundcraft MH series, have a 3rd control knob on their fully-parametric EQ bands: Q. Just as the sweep sets the "center" frequency to be boosted, the Q sets how wide the boost range is. If you think of an EQ band as a line with a hill or bump in it, the sweep sets where the bump is, the boost sets how high the bump is, and the Q sets how wide the bump is.
Many digital mixers allow you to actually have a graphic EQ on each channel. You would select the channel on the screen, and set its EQ. These can be troublesome, however, if you need to quickly cut a particular frequency in a live show before it causes feedback and time is crucial.
I have told you how to use EQ, but not how to be good at it. Many times it is best for newbies to leave the EQ on flat (no frequencies boosted or cut) if possible. Mastering use of EQ takes experience and research. Remember, however, that it can make an OK sound sound good, and a good sound great, but it cannot replace what should be in a bad sound.
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- Semi-parametric has sweep (frequency) & gain (cut/boost) for each band.
*Full parametric has sweep (frequency), gain (cut/boost) & Q (bandwidth) for each band. Bandwidth usually ranges from 1/3 octave to 3 octaves.These bands are usually in 1 to 3 ranges (low/mid/hi) in addition to shelving controls for extreme low & high ranges.