how do you use an equalizer?

[gogofast]

hello,
i was wondering of anyone can explain to me what general rule of using equalizer is. i'm thinking about buying a/d/c 'one ten' model equalizer for a fairly good price and play with it. i've never used any equalizers before. first, is this model a decent one? second, do i just go by my ear to adjust each sound level to different volume or is there a some sort of standard configuration i should keep in mind? thank you for any information.

 

[Tangent]

I guess it all depends on how you like your music 9personal preference), what the source is like, what your stereo is like, etc, etc.

When I had one, I ran it through the tape loop. That way I could hear music "eq'd" and by pushing a button on the receiver, I could cut it out completely.

Running an equalizer adds another component to the mix, two more interconnects and some say it muddies up the sound on their systems.

Have fun!

 

[johnny ro]

theory

I think its to equalize the output of the stereo to the dymanics of the room, to get back to what the original source would sound like there.

So if your speakers have bass roll off, add some bass, if your room is too bright, attenuate the highs. And so on.

It has limited effect, i.e. you cant get nice deep organ tones out of optimus 7s with a 7wpc amp in a big room by merely using bass slider on an EQ. But it helps.

It would help if you have total recall of the sound in the recording studio or concert hall, so you could use the EQ sliders to get back to that with your stereo.

I used to tell people a dynamic expander is more valuable than an EQ, to get realism. 2 or 3 people bought them. I forget what brand it was, maybe DBX. Not an amp, an expander. Hmm.

 

[yamahammer]

I use mine as a doorstop now

 

[pilotprose]

If you have a pink noise generator and do the routine, you can set the parameters to the acoustic envelope of your room. I have done this and to be quite honest, prefer to wing it for different playback media. There is some music, remember, I am an old dude here, that has been recorded to different standards. Therefore, you will need to give it some help via an equalizer. In particular, some of the music that was recorded in the late 60's throught the 70's. This is when the standard was a flat 20-20K with very little or no deviation in recording levels. Engineering wise, excellent, but verrrrry flat to listen to, especially on the bass end. Graphic equalizers help quite well in making this more acoustically acceptable to today's ears. Then again, all of this is subjective anyway....but it definitely will not hurt to have one. Play some early classical music(Bach and Vivaldi), then some Pink Floyd, Dire Straits then some James Brown. Do this with vinal with the equalizer in and then out. CD's do not count, they are compressed toooooo much. Have fun.

 

[Nat]

Two thoughts: 1: One problem with equalizers is that when you slide that control up a mere 3 db, you are doubling the power needed at that frequency, and its easy to drive your amp into distortion without meaning to with an equalizer. So boost some frequencies a bit, and drop others, and you ought to be ok. Recognize that this advice kind of limits your ability to make a Minimus 7 produce a 20 hz tone ( and a good thing too!) And 2: Equalizers create phase shifts that you may find more aggravating than frequency deviations. So listen carefully.
Then there is my own personal 3: the more controls to fiddle with, the less I like music, and the more I obsess. So, for me, no improvment in frequency response is worth the jumping up to correct things, and then jumping up again , and jumping up again and so on.

 

[Urizen]

I am saving my SAE 180 parametric for when I get stereo subs, a suggestion from a fellow AKer.

It now sits idle in storage.

 

[warnerwhf]

Saving that equalizer for subs is an excellent idea! This is the greatest problem area in room acoustics and an equalizer can often make a huge improvement in your bass as well as your midrange.

The midrange will clean up also because the boom frequencies in the bass are tamed. It's a nice improvement.

I use a Behringer DEQ 2496 in my main system. It's used only in the digital domain. Even though my listening room is completely treated (LEDE and bass traps) the Behringer unit helped me take it to another level and maybe then some.

The crap about equalizer do this or that is just that, crap. If you just boost dips 2-3 db and cut the peaks 4-5 db you'll have a large improvement in sound quality. I also believe in then tailoring the sound to taste. Yes you need to be careful if you have a low powered amp and/or inefficient speakers.

If you just cut the peaks in your rooms response this will actually leave you with MORE power than you had. That's the way the TACT units work.

 

[roadie1]

:lmao: :lmao:

I use mine as a doorstop now

 

[johnny ro]

smile frown

you can do what public does in showrooms, also dumb or frustrated salesmen do it, just arrange sliders in a visible pattern, right side up or upside down V.

The original no-brainer. But, its fun to listen, then put it back. As long as its not your job to keep putting it back, all day long.

Or, do what my dad does, slide all up to max, I think it gives a slightly more dynamic sound without affecting curve, you get more noise though, but he's deaf to the noise so thats OK.. its the right curve for him.