Stereo Graphic Equalizer: How does it work?

[navigator]

Hello folks, I am new to the audio hobby and am going to ask a series of what many of you may think are stupid questions.

The questions are about Stereo graphic equalizers. I have a Technics Stereo graphics Equalizer SH 8055 on a Sony Integrated stereo amp TA-AX520. The system puts out very good sound. The equalizer lights up but I don't understand how it works. It doesn't seem to affect the sound no matter how I push buttons or move the sliders.

Maybe I have it connected wrong. Maybe the equalizer function on the amp is defective or the equalizer is defective.

Can anyone give some explanation on how to connect it and operate it and what is it for? Can anyone recommend something to read about this?

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

 

[Glen B]

Looking at the schematics for your amp on HI-Fi Engine, I see it has inputs and outputs for a graphic equalizer, as well as an on/off switch.

You need to connect a pair of interconnects from the "graphic EQ out" jacks of the amp to the inputs of the EQ, and another pair of interconnects from the "graphic EQ in" jacks of the amp to the outputs of the EQ.

Set the graphic EQ switch on the amp to the on position. If the equalizer has a "bypass" switch, make sure it is not activated.

 

[AnalogDigit]

It works by boosting and cutting frequencies much like your tone controls on your Integrated Amp. Only it's more versatile since you can pick out what individual frequencies to boost or cut. There used for boosting the bass on bass hungry speakers, to bring out vocals of a singer or to cut the hiss on old tapes. When experimenting, do this when the volume is turned down or else you might damage your speakers.

For reading, maybe you can do a Google search on tips. But it's pretty much to experiment on your own to see what works the best.

 

[volumeon12]

Get it hooked up correctly, and have some fun! I use mine mainly when i am playing vinyl.
No recordings were created equally, some of my albums have guitars pushed back in the mix,so i compensate with my eq,same with vocals have a play with your fav tracks!

 

[terra1]

there are some threads on equalizer hookups here and the net.

If you are still having problems, maybe pics of front/back of your equalizer and amp connections may help.

Problems can be anywhere in settings and connections if both are in working order.

 

[navigator]

Thanks for the responses. You have helped me understand how they work.

 

[terra1]

Let us know it you get it working.

Depending on your set up, as mentioned buttons like Bypass can disengage the equalizer. Others that may have an effect are Tape Monitor buttons and whether you have it connected to Tape line in outs or other line in outs in the back of the equalizer.

 

[AnalogAudio]

Get it hooked up correctly, and have some fun! I use mine mainly when i am playing vinyl.
No recordings were created equally, some of my albums have guitars pushed back in the mix,so i compensate with my eq,same with vocals have a play with your fav tracks!

I'm running a 32 channel mixing board through my system, All of my components ie...TT, Cassette deck, R2R runs into the board first then through my amp then out the pre-amp ouputs into my 31 pre-channel EQ then an expander processor then back ito the amp and out to the speakers. My CD player is connected to a compressor before entering the board. Man I tell ya....the sound is awesome!

 

[Fred Sanford]

I'm running a 32 channel mixing board through my system, All of my components ie...TT, Cassette deck, R2R runs into the board first then through my amp then out the pre-amp ouputs into my 31 pre-channel EQ then an expander processor then back ito the amp and out to the speakers. My CD player is connected to a compressor before entering the board. Man I tell ya....the sound is awesome!

The CD player hits a compressor, then the board's preamp, then another preamp, then an EQ, then an expander, then the amp?

Kind of curious about the compressor/expander applications.

je

 

[rifftrax]

The CD player hits a compressor, then the board's preamp, then another preamp, then an EQ, then an expander, then the amp?

Kind of curious about the compressor/expander applications.

je

Yeah, I don't know that I would want to compress the output from a cd anymore than it already is....I would try instead maybe a Pioneer RG-1 immediately after for "flava" but compressing then expanding doesn't seem to be too valuable for cd at that stage.

 

[AnalogAudio]

Yeah, I don't know that I would want to compress the output from a cd anymore than it already is....I would try instead maybe a Pioneer RG-1 immediately after for "flava" but compressing then expanding doesn't seem to be too valuable for cd at that stage.

Sounds like you guys don't have any good experience about compressors and expanders....most of the **** that is recorded on CD is very hard on my ears and this is a way of shaving off some of the metallic sounding high ends! At first I thought it was the result of the cd player but nope it wasn't, then I went down the chain to figure it out. It was the damn cds them self that were so badly mastered!
I'm not going to sit here and explain what a compressor or expander gates work - go google it and learn something for pete sake. I worked in a recording studio for about 25 years here and know what I'm doing.
A long story short - I never like the idea listening to music what the recording engineer intended to be on record vinyl or any other format for that matter. I like the idea of manipulating the playback to my taste and to WHAT I think it should sound like.

 

[Fred Sanford]

The CD player hits a compressor, then the board's preamp, then another preamp, then an EQ, then an expander, then the amp?

Kind of curious about the compressor/expander applications.

je

Sounds like you guys don't have any good experience about compressors and expanders....most of the **** that is recorded on CD is very hard on my ears and this is a way of shaving off some of the metallic sounding high ends! At first I thought it was the result of the cd player but nope it wasn't, then I went down the chain to figure it out. It was the damn cds them self that were so badly mastered!
I'm not going to sit here and explain what a compressor or expander gates work - go google it and learn something for pete sake. I worked in a recording studio for about 25 years here and know what I'm doing.
A long story short - I never like the idea listening to music what the recording engineer intended to be on record vinyl or any other format for that matter. I like the idea of manipulating the playback to my taste and to WHAT I think it should sound like.

I just said I was curious about how you were applying the compressor & expander. I've also worked in A/V and recording for 25+ years- I know what they do, and have a bunch of them here. I was wondering why you were using them (both, it seemed) on CDs. Manipulate away. :yes:

Thanks,

je

 

[Sharpstik]

Here we go again.... Everything hits my compressors. Both of them, between a reverb and before an Eq. I tweeked it some, on advice from Fred S., since he most certainly does have the background, but there is simply no way I would ever listen to any vinyl without one. And my backups are sittin there , ready.

 

[rifftrax]

Sounds like you guys don't have any good experience about compressors and expanders....most of the **** that is recorded on CD is very hard on my ears and this is a way of shaving off some of the metallic sounding high ends!

Usually that would be done by purchasing better outboard converters and a preamp. Much of the digital "harshness" is due to jitter rates and poor op-amps in the conversion and output stage.

I also have worked with recording all my life essentially. I think I have a rather decent grasp what a compressor and expander does. I think I owned 20 compressors at one point. Anyway.

 

[AnalogAudio]

Usually that would be done by purchasing better outboard converters and a preamp. Much of the digital "harshness" is due to jitter rates and poor op-amps in the conversion and output stage.

I also have worked with recording all my life essentially. I think I have a rather decent grasp what a compressor and expander does. I think I owned 20 compressors at one point. Anyway.

Go back and re-read my post. I'm not going to explain everything to resolve this issue but I will say this, I did what you mention about those so-called outboard converters and the pre-amps because a friend of mine as a setup very similar to that and guess what- I still didn't like what I heard..!! The current setup I have now resolved this issue, case closed! :finger:

 

[Fred Sanford]

Here we go again.... Everything hits my compressors. Both of them, between a reverb and before an Eq. I tweeked it some, on advice from Fred S., since he most certainly does have the background, but there is simply no way I would ever listen to any vinyl without one. And my backups are sittin there , ready.

There was a lot more than that going on with your system, actually- you also sum to mono, use EQs & processors as pseudo-phono preamps, and mix varying input & output levels. Many, many steps away from any typical setup. It's your rig, you have every right to do that, and if you're happy that's great. Our conversations enlightened us both, I think.

je

 

[Fred Sanford]

Go back and re-read my post. I'm not going to explain everything to resolve this issue but I will say this, I did what you mention about those so-called outboard converters and the pre-amps because a friend of mine as a setup very similar to that and guess what- I still didn't like what I heard..!! The current setup I have now resolved this issue, case closed! :finger:

Nice. Sorry I expressed my curiosity, didn't know you were so sensitive about it.

je

 

[kneeOhFight]

Nice. Sorry I expressed my curiosity, didn't know you were so sensitive about it.

je

Lol, Fred...hes not sensitive about it...hes clearly just an overbearing asshole, with no manners !!..I used to live in Massanetta Springs many many years ago, and Lacey Springs for a short while just before that...the Valley is Heaven:thmbsp:

 

[rifftrax]

Go back and re-read my post. I'm not going to explain everything to resolve this issue but I will say this, I did what you mention about those so-called outboard converters and the pre-amps because a friend of mine as a setup very similar to that and guess what- I still didn't like what I heard..!! The current setup I have now resolved this issue, case closed! :finger:

I guess if you don't even want to talk about what types of compressors and outboard fx units you are using then that's your choice. I personally typically like to understand other people's choices in gear selection and why but certainly it would be unfair of me to ask and expect an answer.

 

[Fred Sanford]

Lol, Fred...I used to live in Massanetta Springs many many years ago, and Lacey Springs for a short while just before that...the Valley is Heaven:thmbsp:

We're just down the road from Massanetta Springs, it's gorgeous here. :yes:

Whenever I get stressed by forum posting, I just look up from my laptop screen, and scan out over the valley...