Ashly GQX-3101, GQX-3102 Feedback Control, Console Channel Equalization, Large Room Equalization

Operating Manual - GQX 3102, GQX 3101, and GQX 1502 Graphic Equalizer

+15(+6)

+10

+5

0

-5

-10

-15(-6)

5K 6.3K 8K 10K 12.5K 16K 20K

+6	VU		Clip
	+6	Range	6 - 15
+4	+3
	0
+2	-3	EQ	In - Out
0	-6
	-9	HPF	In - Out
-3
	-12	50
	-15		100
-9
	-18
		25	200
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	-21
	Output
Gain	Level	12	(Hz) 285
(dB)

Very low bass (the “wind” in a kick drum, al- most felt as much as heard -40Hz-80Hz.

The low register of a male voice - 200Hz

The low register of a female voice - 350Hz

Lower midrange (“warmth” frequencies) - 400Hz- 1KHz

Upper midrange (“harshness”, snare drum “bite”, “hot” sound) -2.5KHz-4KHz.

Sibilance (“sss” sounds, cymbal “sizzle”) - 8KHz- 15KHz.

Try using these starting points as a guide when you want more or less of these types of sounds. Adjust by ear from there. It is always a good idea to remember that a little equalization usually works out much better than a lot, and that there are many audio problems which can not be solved with equalization alone.

6.2Feedback Control

A graphic equalizer can be used to provide some control over moderate feedback problems, but does not have enough flexibility or resolution to handle severe situ- ations. You will achieve the best results when you can eliminate one or two feedback points by setting one or two sliders for no more than a 6dB cut. Often you can find a feedback point by boosting sliders in succession to determine which frequency ranges contain the feedback modes, and then cutting those ranges. Be very careful in

this process to avoid explosive feedback and possible sys- tem and hearing damage! If you find feedback points with many equalizer bands, remember that cutting every band may not help (all you will do is reduce system gain). The combination of a graphic equalizer for tone control and a parametric equalizer (such as the Ashly PQX-571 or PQX-572) for feedback control is highly recommended.

6.3Console Channel Equalization

Many mixing consoles provide only simple equal- ization for individual channels. If your console has chan- nel inserts, you can patch your graphic equalizer into a channel that’s being used for something important (like your lead singer) and use it to tailor the sound of this chan- nel exactly the way you want.

6.4Large Room Equalization

Large rooms tend to suffer from multiple reflec- tions with long time delays, long reverberation times, and “ring-modes”, all of which lead to reduced intelligibility and a generally “muddy” sound. As sound travels long dis- tances through the air, high frequencies are attenuated more than low frequencies. In general, large rooms benefit from some low frequency roll-off, high frequency boost, and attenuation of ring mode frequencies. As in the case of feedback control, a graphic equalizer can help reduce an isolated ring-mode or two, but a tunable narrow-band equalizer such as a parametric is more effective here.

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