6
EQ
Equalisation of sound is an essential part of the recording process, necessary to remove or boost various sections of the audible
frequency spectrum. The Scarlett EQ is 4-band, with 2 fully parametric mid bands and the option of shelving or high-/low-pass
on bands 1 and 4, and exhibits the same curves as the classic Focusrite EQ; all that’s required to sculpt sound with truly
professional flair!
The two central bands have the same 3 knobs for modifying parameters: Frequency, Gain and Q. When band 1 or band 4 are in
high- or low- pass mode (switch in lower position), the Gain knob changes into Q. This is because there is no cut or boost option with
a high- or low- pass filter, just a slope of variable Q at a selected cut-off frequency. The shelving mode doesn’t require a Q control
because the slope is fixed.
The controls are:
INPUT Knob –
Increases or decreases the level of the signal at the EQ input. No gain modification occurs with the knob
in a central position. Rotate clockwise to increase and anticlockwise to decrease the level by up to 18dB
FREQUENCY Knobs –
Set the frequency that the band affects, e.g. the centre frequency in bell mode, the cut-off frequency in high-/
low- pass mode or the start of the shelf in shelving mode
GAIN Knobs –
Increase or decrease the level of the corresponding band of EQ. The band will have no effect with the knob
in a central position. Rotate clockwise to increase and anticlockwise to decrease the level by up to 18dB
Q Knobs –
Set the level of resonance of the band, making the band have a more pronounced effect. Increasing Q decreases the band
width so that the bell acts on less of the frequency range
SHELVING/HIGH- or LOW-PASS Switch –
Selects a low-shelf (upper) or high-pass (lower) for band 1, and a high-shelf (upper) or
low-pass (lower) for band 4
OUTPUT Knob –
Increases or decreases the level of the signal at the EQ output. No gain modification occurs with the
knob in a central position. Rotate clockwise to increase and anticlockwise to decrease the level by up to 18dB
