13
A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO EQUALISATION
Equalisers are also widely used in the audio industry, and are effectively just tone
controllers, though a bit more involved than those found on most hi-fi systems. They allow
you to cut or boost certain frequencies or frequency bands within the audio signal.
There are two main applications for using equalisation, or EQ (as it’s more commonly
known). The first is ‘creative’ use. This involves enhancing a sound that is already present
in some desirable way. Typical examples might involve boosting lower frequencies to give
more depth, or boosting the high frequencies to give more of a ‘sparkle’ to a sound.
Because the precise frequencies that give these qualities will vary from instrument to
instrument, it is sometimes necessary to be able to adjust the point at which frequencies will
be cut or boosted by the EQ, as well as the amount of cut or boost.
The other main application of EQ is ‘corrective’ use. This involves using EQ to remove or
reduce the level of unwanted frequencies. Here are a few examples of ‘corrective’ use of
EQ:
•
Cutting low frequencies to reduce ‘proximity effect’, where low frequencies have been
over-emphasised as a result of close miking with certain types of microphone.
•
Cutting the frequencies that may cause a vocal to sound boxy, nasal or harsh.
•
Cutting the frequencies that may cause a drum to ring undesirably.
EQ exists in various forms. The TrakMaster offers two sorts of EQ: ‘shelving’ and
‘parametric’ (see Facilities And Controls for more details). Shelving EQ boosts or cuts all
frequencies above or below a specific frequency. Low shelving EQ boosts or cuts all
frequencies below a certain frequency, whereas high shelving EQ boosts or cuts all
frequencies above a certain frequency.
Parametric EQ allows the user to focus in on a specific band of frequencies in order to cut
or boost them. This is particularly useful for ‘corrective’ applications of EQ as the offending
frequency may be honed in on, and its gain reduced. It is also useful for ‘creative’
applications, for example giving presence to a vocal.
Check out
http://www.focusrite.com/features
for links to more information on
the subject of EQ.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q
. My TrakMaster gets quite hot when in use. Should I be worried about this?
A
. No. This is a result of the high-quality Class A circuitry inside your TrakMaster and
should not be a problem. As a precaution, it is wise to rack hotter units lower down your
rack than cooler units (see next FAQ). If space is available, fit a blank panel between units
to allow extra ventilation.
Q
. Where in my rack should I put my TrakMaster?
A
. It is generally a good idea to place hotter units lower down your rack. This is because
the air that is heated from each unit in the rack will rise to the top of the rack, placing the
uppermost units in a hotter environment. Therefore, a hot unit at the top of a rack will get
even hotter.
Q
. What is the difference b4 dBu and –10 dBV?
A
. These are different signal operating levels. +4 dBu usually refers to professional
equipment and –10 dBV usually refers to semi-professional or consumer equipment. It is
important to make sure that any two or more devices connected to each other are
operating at the same signal level. The +4 dBu/-10 dBV switches on the rear of the
TrakMaster
allow you to use the TrakMaster’s outputs at either operating level.
If the +4 dBu output of a device feeds the –10 dBV input of another device, this may cause
the second device to overload. Alternatively, if the –10 dBV output of a device feeds the
+4 dBu input of another device, the second device may receive a signal level which is too
low (i.e. too quiet).
-10 dBV devices are usually connected using a mono 1/4” jack. This is known as an
‘unbalanced’ connection. +4dBu devices are usually connected using a TRS (stereo) 1/4”
jack, or XLRs. This is known as a ‘balanced’ connection.
Q
. Should I use balanced connectors with my TrakMaster?
A
. The TrakMaster may be run balanced or unbalanced, although it is best to use balanced
connectors where possible. If you want to connect your TrakMaster to a device with XLR
connectors, construct or purchase a cable that is wired as follows:
Summary of Contents for TrakMaster
Page 56: ...56 EQ plots Bass EQ VOCAL mode Bass EQ INST mode Presence EQ Treble EQ VOCAL and INST modes...
Page 58: ...58 Notes...
Page 59: ...59 Notes...
Page 60: ...60 Notes...
