Setting up an equalizer .....?

[Willeecue]

I moved up a bit with my home stereo gear adding polk speakers, a pre-amp/equalizer, and a citation 16 power amp bought locally.

What is the usual method to set up the equalizer?
I have a test tones CD with white noise, a signal generator, and a Radio Shack sound meter.
Do I want a flat response from the speakers?

 

[RossW]

Do I want a flat response from the speakers?

That's entirely up to you...
Some people strive for flat response, others go for what they think sounds best (which usually ends up being some variation of the "disco smile", i.e. boosted bass and treble). Don't be afraid to experiment, just make sure you spend a decent amount of time with each setting to let your ears adjust.
If you want to go the measured flat response route it's worth spending the ~$100 for a miniDSP UMIK-1 and using Room EQ Wizard (free software). It makes the process much simpler and more intuitive, plus you can save measurements and compare later.

 

[benricci]

Well, the question really should be what did you hope to achieve with the equalizer? We can help guide you from there.

 

[GChief]

It looks to be in its perfectly normal native EQ environment... setting wise.

 

[the skipper]

I used to set mine so the speakers mated well with the room and left it at that. Surprisingly, a lot of the sliders were in the cut position.

if the option exists, insert in the tape loop. it'll inject less noise into the system.

 

[goodolpg]

Many many many people set theirs like that.
Other people prefer a less curvy orientation.
How does it sound?

Since it's your house, your system, your music, and your ears set it how you like it.

 

[JoeESP9]

I still can't figure out why, if everyone's gear room and hearing is different why do most equalizers end up with the same old smiley face.

Set your equalizer and tone controls however you want. Just don't use the lame excuse about everything being different.

 

[E-Stat]

I used to set mine so the speakers mated well with the room and left it at that. Surprisingly, a lot of the sliders were in the cut position.

Not for those who seek neutrality.

Smiley face is for boom-sizzle enthusiasts.

 

[GChief]

Not for those who seek neutrality.

Smiley face is for boom-sizzle enthusiasts.

Which is a thing (even though they will deny it)... and that is ok

 

[benricci]

I still can't figure out why, if everyone's gear room and hearing is different why do most equalizers end up with the same old smiley face.

Simple - typically it accentuates what human beings actually respond to most, emotionally. We like deep bass, and we like clear vocals and highs. Boost those things, trim the mid-range a bit or keep it neutral, and it's a pleasing sound to a lot of people. It's why the rock-n-roll smile curve is so damn popular.

Hate it or not, to a lot of folks, it's what pops the most from their speakers.

That curve jumps out at you, and provides an easy-to-achieve immediacy in the material.

 

[JoeESP9]

I say do whatever you want with your gear, room, music and ears.

However, IMO it's disingenuous to use the truly lame excuse that because your room, gear, etc are different you use an equalizer. Apparently there isn't much difference in any of those things since a smiley face is so prevalent.

Just admit you like it that way and stop making negative comments about those who don't have/use tone controls or use a linear equalizer. We've been there and done that. We've moved on.

 

[KingBubba]

I do not see that that EQ contains a spectrum analyzer, which is what you are going to need to change your curves to match the white noise, or any of the things you might want to try. There are computer based analyzers which can be downloaded for free and with a small sum, you can unlock it to do all its functions. You will also need a calibrated mic to go with your analyzer. I too agree that the tape loop is the place to put an EQ for yet a different reason. If you want the EQ, it is just a flip of the tape switch; to turn it off is the same but in reverse. The ability to flip it on and off can help with comparison with or without the EQ in the system. I had a top model ADC Sound Shaper EQ and it now sits on the shelf. All I did was mess with the sound, but then the next day, I would fuss with it again. I did not have the calibrated mic; so I was just messing around by ear which is truly a waste of time. I had 12 channels per side. For an EQ to be completely useful you need EQs with 32 channels a side. One 32 Ch EQ per side. Lower than 32 channels a side is a waste of time. Most people's EQs are just toys. They look cool in peoples stacks, but that analyzer and mic is an absolute necessity to go about using an EQ seriously. Have fun.

 

[Sansushi]

try starting with everything flat. if there are frequencies that are deficient or too prominent for your taste, make adjustments to those frequencies as needed until you are satisfied with the sound.
i've never used a spectrum analyzer, but that would likely be helpful

 

[JoeESP9]

If you just want to experiment with a spectrum analyzer download one of the free ones for phones and tablets. If you have an iPhone/tablet you can be assured of a certain amount of accuracy.

 

[sqlsavior]

To me, the most important feature of a graphic equalizer is the ability to switch it into or out of the circuit. Does your Soundcraftsman have that capability?

Folks, his equalizer is also his preamp. Ain't going in a tape loop...

 

[peguinpower]

That's entirely up to you...
Some people strive for flat response, others go for what they think sounds best (which usually ends up being some variation of the "disco smile", i.e. boosted bass and treble). Don't be afraid to experiment, just make sure you spend a decent amount of time with each setting to let your ears adjust.
If you want to go the measured flat response route it's worth spending the ~$100 for a miniDSP UMIK-1 and using Room EQ Wizard (free software). It makes the process much simpler and more intuitive, plus you can save measurements and compare later.

this how we did it decades ago when I was still a PA tech doing it for beer money. We put a mic in the house, play pink noise and run that through a spectrum analyzer. Depending on the resonant frequencies or which ones were being absorbed, we’d cut or boost certain fequencies. Parametric EQs made for quicker work.

I’d also test stage mikes for feedback using the same technique.

 

[StephenJK]

View attachment 2156319

I moved up a bit with my home stereo gear adding polk speakers, a pre-amp/equalizer, and a citation 16 power amp bought locally.

What is the usual method to set up the equalizer?
I have a test tones CD with white noise, a signal generator, and a Radio Shack sound meter.
Do I want a flat response from the speakers?

Man - a PE2217, the first preamp I bought back in....don't tell me - 1978!

It depends on your speakers and your room, of course, but in later years when I had a DBX computerized equalizer/analyzer with the pink noise generator and calibrated microphone it seemed that the bass was always boosted a bit, midrange tweaked and treble boosted a little.

What you might find is that with different recordings you'll be tempted to make massive corrections so that it sound the way you want it to. It's complicated by the fact that when making changes you're not sitting in your chair, but fiddling with sliders.

Try making small corrections and see if it's better or worse. And, once in a while don't forget to set everything flat and start all over. It's a great preamp, I'm sure you will enjoy it.

 

[goodolpg]

I still can't figure out why, if everyone's gear room and hearing is different why do most equalizers end up with the same old smiley face.

Set your equalizer and tone controls however you want. Just don't use the lame excuse about everything being different.

You've been busy. How do you find the time to see "most" equalizers in the world?
How many exactly have you seen?
Do you visit in person?
While there do you tell them "smiley face is bad"?
How many eq's are there in the world anyways? Asking for a friend.
How many do I own?
How many of mine are set with a smiley face?

 

[goodolpg]

I say do whatever you want with your gear, room, music and ears.

However, IMO it's disingenuous to use the truly lame excuse that because your room, gear, etc are different you use an equalizer. Apparently there isn't much difference in any of those things since a smiley face is so prevalent.

Just admit you like it that way and stop making negative comments about those who don't have/use tone controls or use a linear equalizer. We've been there and done that. We've moved on.

Do you go visit everyone who has an eq and "give them hell" and tell them eq's are the work of the devil and only poor misinformed people use them?
You sure seem concerned about someone else's gear that you will NEVER hear...
Oh that's right, you go house to house looking at gear and eq settings in particular.
My bad. Not sorry.

 

[JoeESP9]

Do you go visit everyone who has an eq and "give them hell" and tell them eq's are the work of the devil and only poor misinformed people use them?
You sure seem concerned about someone else's gear that you will NEVER hear...
Oh that's right, you go house to house looking at gear and eq settings in particular.
My bad. Not sorry.

Oh please. Now your just being silly.

To reiterate, "I don't care what people use or do to make their listening experience more pleasurable to themselves". I just wish that more users would just be honest about why they use what they use.

There are only two reasons to have an equalizer of any type in a home audio system. One is to set everything to what ones ear likes. The other is to attempt to make the in room response flatter and smoother. Using measurements is truer to the idea of HiFi. The other usually has a lot less to do with flatness.

You've been busy. How do you find the time to see "most" equalizers in the world?
How many exactly have you seen?
Do you visit in person?
While there do you tell them "smiley face is bad"?
How many eq's are there in the world anyways? Asking for a friend.
How many do I own?
How many of mine are set with a smiley face?

I'm merely making an observation. I'm sorry if that offends you.

In the last 50+ years with this hobby I've seen and heard plenty of systems. IME when there was a linear equalizer 90%+ were set up with the good old smiley face. Even I did it once for a short while. I was unhappy with the results. Then I got the recommended mic and LP with test tones. From that point on any equalizer I use, linear, parametric or DSP type has been set using measurements. Once set they are not touched unless the room or gear is changed.