A Hands-On Guide to the n8/n12
Owner’s Manual 29
English
Mastery of EQ
Each input channel features a three-band (high/mid/low)
equalizer.
An equalizer boosts (amplifies) or cuts (attenuates)
certain frequency ranges to shape the tone. It can be
used to modify the tone to suit the acoustic
characteristics of a room, to make creative sounds, or
for many other purposes.
One particularly important application of EQ is to give
the overall sound better definition by eliminating
interference between instruments’ frequency ranges in a
mix. Remember: less is more. Modest use of
equalization will lead to a great, natural sounding mix.

■ Boosting or cutting certain

frequency ranges

To boost or cut certain frequency ranges of the input
signal, use the gain controls for equalizer. As you rotate
a control clockwise, the corresponding range will be
boosted, and as you rotate the control counter-
clockwise, the range will be cut. When the control is set
to the “▼” position, that frequency range will not be
boosted or cut (i.e., its response will be “flat”).
Boosting the signal too much using the equalizer will
add gain to the signal, increasing noise and potentially
overloading the circuitry and distorting the sound. In this
case, step back and make sure that you have not
boosted too much with EQ (remember, less is more!),
and lower the gain if necessary.

■ Adjusting the mid-band

center frequency

The mid-band equalizer enables you to adjust the
center frequency at which the sound will be boosted or
cut. This is useful when you want to adjust the boost/cut
frequency ranges to accommodate a snare drum pitch
or vocal tone.
To adjust this center frequency, use the [MID]
frequency control. As you rotate the control clockwise,
the center frequency is raised, and as you rotate the
control counter-clockwise, the center frequency is
lowered. When the control is set to the “▼” position, the
center frequency will be 1.0 kHz.
Before you adjust the center frequency, it is a good idea
to boost the mid-band signal with the [MID] gain control.
In this way, you can easily hear and verify the frequency
that you are selecting. When you finish adjusting the
frequency, re-adjust the [MID] gain control to your taste.
SIGNAL LEVEL (dB)
FREQUENCY RANGE (Hz)
MID flat
HIGH boost
(amplify)
HIGH flat
HIGH cut
(attenuate)
LOW boost
(amplify)
LOW flat
LOW cut
(attenuate)
MID cut
(attenuate)
MID boost
(amplify)
100Hz 1.0kHz 10.0kHz
[MID] frequency control
CENTER FREQUENCY (Hz)
boosted signal