32 band equalizer

RON PRESTON · Post by **RON PRESTON** » 18 May 2002 5:35 am

I have only one question, but I have a bet on this one, guys. When Joe Clark was the soundman for Chris Ledoux in the 80s, he told me that an equalizer should never be under the center line of the slider, or the 0 mark of +12, -12, I am a picker, not a soundman, BUT< I also read in MONITOR about 3-4 years ago that this should not exceed the center line also. My fearless leader of the band thinks that I am trying to be a "KNOW_IT-ALL", but, I am not. I know someone out there can shed some valuable light on this sensitive situation.
Thanks all, and God Bless Ya,
Ron

Doug Earnest · Post by **Doug Earnest** » 18 May 2002 7:34 am

I'm not a pro sound man either, but the sliders have two functions for a reason - to do whatever is appropriate for that specific frequency in order to balance the sound. Below the line is OK as far as I know.

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Doug Earnest
The only Zum Keyless U12, Zum2000U12,Sierra12,Sho-Bud ProII D10 PV DPC 750 ProFex 112E, Fender Cyber Twin

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 18 May 2002 12:59 pm

Multiple band equalizers use phase cancellation to get the individual bands and boosting adds resonance to that band, so, as expected, the equalizer changes the "quality" of the sound as more boost and cut are applied. This can be good or bad, depending on the soundman's skills. Personally, for acoustic recording, especially when there are vocals, if I use eq, I use only "cut"; however I usually use an Evans amp for my guitar and it has an Expand switch, which 'bumps' the top and bottom. This, to my ears, greatly improves the sound of my guitar.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 18 May 2002 1:52 pm

The graphic EQ (regardless of how many bands, or how much "boost" and "cut" it provides) is nothing more than a tone control. It allows you achieve sound textures that ordinary tone controls cannot, due to the number of different frequency bands covered, as well as being an "active" tone network (one capable of actual gain). You've got one so-called "expert" telling you "you should never go above the line", and another so called "expert" telling you "you should never go below the line". And if you listen to both of these guys, that fancy EQ you have is totally useless!

My advice? Ignore them both. Go above the lines, below the lines, or anywhere in between to get the sound you want. Anyone saying that you should never use the full capability of a piece of equipment to get the desired sound is wrong, plain and simple.

Glenn Austin · Post by **Glenn Austin** » 18 May 2002 9:01 pm

The 1/3 octave graphic Eq, when used in a P.A. or monitors is there primarily to give you maximum gain before feedback. When you lower a problem frequency say 6db, you can then run the PA that much louder. You also can use the graphic Eq to tailor your speaker system to the room. You might want more high end in a room thats really dead sounding. In the end, it's a big balancing act. You might be boosting some frequencies and lowering others. You should start out with your Eq's set flat and then start making adjustments in order to get the maximum output from the PA and monitors. You should have a separate graphic Eq for every monitor mix too. The goal is not to make it so loud that you'll kill everbody's eardrums, but good safe sound and headroom to work with. Nothing clears a room faster than howling feedback.

George Kimery · Post by **George Kimery** » 19 May 2002 3:54 am

Ask your "expert" if it would be appropriate to slide below the line to stop a feedback problem, or would it be better to just let the feedback continue to be a problem.

RON PRESTON · Post by **RON PRESTON** » 19 May 2002 6:00 am

Keep comming with all the Info, Guys, I need ALL the Info on this thing that I can get. After I get pretty much the Answers I can obtain, I will print this Thread out and show it to my "Fearless Leader," our Bass player in our band. I DO appreciate ALL responses, so keep "um" comming fellows.
Thanks a $$$$$
Ron

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 19 May 2002 6:59 am

Those cut areas are there for a reason. Understand and use them.

Use a graphic EQ to fine tune your mix to a particular room. If it's a "dead" room (acoustic tile ceiling, thick carpet and full of people), you may want to boost the high end and/or cut some low frequencies, if it's a "live" (hard floors, walls, ceiling, etc.) room you may need to cut the high/mid and treble a bit.

The only reason I can see not to use the cuts is if your Power Amp(s) aren't loud enough. You effectivly raise the Zero point. That's a poor reason. Your Power Amp(s) should have room to spare.

Here an article to help you understand EQ. http://www.sospubs.co.uk/sos/1995_articles/mar95/eq.html

"We're all ignorant, only about different things." -Mark Twain

[This message was edited by Joey Ace on 19 May 2002 at 08:06 AM.]

Doug Earnest · Post by **Doug Earnest** » 19 May 2002 8:53 am

Joey Ace,
That article should be required reading for anyone who ever plays amplified music or makes a recording of any kind.
Thanks!

------------------

Doug Earnest
The only Zum Keyless U12, Zum2000U12,Sierra12,Sho-Bud ProII D10 PV DPC 750 ProFex 112E, Fender Cyber Twin

RON PRESTON · Post by **RON PRESTON** » 19 May 2002 11:17 am

Joey,
Thanks so much for this valuble information.
I just told my wife that if you need any info or help, just stop at the SGF...

I am printing the link that you put on under your name about EQ.
I just might become a soundman someday.

NOT!!!
Thanks, EVERYONE for your help and time.
I wonder how us pickers made it ALL THOSE YEARS WITHOUT a COMPUTER.

Ron

Jerry Erickson · Post by **Jerry Erickson** » 19 May 2002 12:34 pm

I haven't read Joey's link yet, but I was brought up with the idea that you lower the sliders and then use the level slider to make up the gain you've lost by lowering the different frequencies.If the eq has a bypass switch you madjust the level slider so that you have the same level bypassed as you do when the eq is engaged. If you boost frequencies then you are raising the gain before the power amp and potentially lowering the headroom of the amp. Something like that.
Jerry

Michael Brebes · Post by **Michael Brebes** » 20 May 2002 9:50 am

My recommendation is to keep the "majority" of the faders close to zero. The main reason for this is for sound quality. All faders above will bring up the overall level inside the EQ and increase the chance of clipping the signal. All faders below will keep from clipping, but will also increase the noise floor in relation to the signal. As noted by others, EQ's induce greater phase shift the farther you get from the zero mark. By keeping them around the zero mark, you will have the least amount of phase shift occurring.