Alesis DEQ230D manual 3Basics of Equalization, What is equalization?

3Basics of Equalization

This section will explain how equalization works, and explain the functions of the DEQ230’s controls.

What is equalization?

An equalizer boosts or cuts a frequency range. The DEQ230 is a graphic equalizer, which means it has many fixed frequency bands that can be cut or boosted. The term "graphic" is appropriate because the combined settings of the bands often resemble a curve, or a "graph." Thus it is often possible to know what the unit is doing to the sound simply by looking at it from a distance. The other type of equalizer, a parametric equalizer, can sweep the frequency bands and adjust the frequency range affected by the cut or boost of each band. Alesis sells a parametric equalizer called the PEQ-450.

The most basic level of control on a graphic equalizer is the gain setting for a band. Each of the bands represents a pre-determined frequency range, and its gain setting controls the amount of boost or cut for that frequency range. A setting of 0 dB means that the signal will not be affected in the area of those audio frequencies.

Depending on the program material, boosting or cutting just one frequency can have a significant impact on the sound. When all of the frequency bands are taken together, the impact can be huge.

Equalization is used for:

•Adjusting the timbre of an instrument, voice, mix or effect

•Cutting or boosting frequencies to make a source easier to mix with other tracks

•Compensating for a less-than-ideal recording

•Compensating for less-than-ideal control room or auditorium acoustics

•Creating a filter effect

•Eliminating buzz, noise or hum

Equalizers can make your recorded tracks sound polished and professional. Chapter 4 will describe some specific settings for various instruments and applications.

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