Instrument Equalization Chart

(Fig. 19)

Acoustic guitar

Electric guitar

Bass guitar

Human voice

Piano (Acoustic)

Piano (Electric)

Organ

Violin

Brass instruments

Bass drum

Snare drum

Tom Tom

Floor Tom

Hi Hat

Cymbal overhead

Bass strings resonate between 70 to 120Hz, body around 300Hz. Avoid boosting these to stop feedback. 3kHz and 5kHz give great "clarity".

Resonances differ—depending on type. Good full sounds around 300 to 500Hz. Clarity at 3kHz.

Extreme lows are at 60 to 90Hz. "Pick" or "pluck" sounds are around 800 to 1200Hz. Upper harmonics clarified about 3kHz.

Good fullness at 150Hz. Watch for "boominess" around 250Hz. Mid-range 10kHz.

Bass strings resonate around 100Hz. Watch for sub-harmonics at 30 to 50Hz.

Good mid-clarity at 3kHz to 5kHz thins out rapidly in high end. Be careful around 1.5kHz to 2.5kHz to avoid the "bar room sound."

Usually dies under 200Hz. Has great mid-sounds around 1200 to 2000Hz. Top end cuts off at 6kHz.

Rich fullness at 400Hz. Natural mids around 1500 to 2500Hz. Avoid "scratch" sounds at 8kHz.

Watch for "hot" mids around 2kHz. Low end boost around 400Hz. Top end clarity at 6kHz.

Great low "kick" at 40Hz. The mids at 2kHz gives the familiar "punch."

Good fullness at 100Hz. The "crack" is boosted at 2kHz. The snares extend to above 4kHz.

The main fullness is around 200Hz. The mid punch extends to 4kHz.

Same as tom, but extends down to 80Hz.

Watch for the "gong" sound around 300Hz. Good "shimmer" sounds are around 8kHz to 10kHz.

About the same as hi-hat but has more low end around 150Hz.

Depending on the guitar sound driving it and the resonance of each player's mouth, should have great "bite" around 1200Hz and dies above 6kHz.

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