Hartke Hydrive 112C, Owner'S Manual

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14
Using Equalization
The Hartke Systems Hydrive Combos Bass Amplifier
gives you enormous control over shaping the sound
of your bass, using a process called equalization . To
understand how this works, it’s important to know
that every naturally occurring sound consists of a
broad range of pitches, or frequencies , combined
together in a unique way. This blend is what gives
every sound its distinctive tonal color. The Hydrive
Combos EQ controls allow you to alter a sound by
boosting or attenuating specific frequency areas—
they operate much like the bass and treble controls
on your hi-fi amp, but with much greater precision.
The 112C, 115C and 210Coffer standard Bass
and Treble controls, plus seven bands of graphic
equalization. This extended, dual stage equalization
circuit allows you to tailor the mid-band with precise
control and then boost and cut the bottom and top.
The Bass knob affects the low-frequency area at
100 Hz, and provides approximately 15 db of boost
and attenuation. The Treble knob affects the high-
frequency area at 8 kHz, and provides approximately
15 db of boost and attenuation. The Graphic Equalizer
points are at 80 Hz, 160 Hz, 315 Hz, 630 Hz, 1.25kHz,
2.5kHz and 5kHz and the sliders provide 12 db of
boost and attenuation. We carefully selected these
frequency areas because they have maximum impact
on bass signals. For example, the Bass (100 Hz)
control affects the very lowest audible frequencies (in
fact, most humans cannot hear below 20 Hz), while
the High (5 kHz) control affects the “twang” of a bass
string.
When a Bass or Treble knob is in its center detented
position (“0”), it is having no effect. When it is moved
right of center, the particular frequency area is
being boosted; when it is moved left of center, the
frequency area is being attenuated. When a Graphic
Equalizer slider is in its center detented position (“0”),
it is having no effect. When it is moved up above
center, the particular frequency area is being boosted;
when it is moved down below center, the frequency
area is being attenuated. Turning all EQ controls up
the same amount will have virtually the same effect
as simply turning up the Volume; conversely, turning
them all down the same amount will have virtually
the same effect as turning down the Volume. Both
approaches are pointless (after all, that’s why we gave
you a Level control!)