© 2003 TDM Audio, Inc.
Graphic Equalizer Owner’s Manual
Page 12
With PA equalization, avoid boosting altogether if possible. It is sometimes advisable to boost
the extreme lows (50 and 63 Hz) or the extreme highs (12.5 kHz and 16 kHz) to deal with a PA
system that lacks extension on the ends of the spectrum, but if you do this, use only a slight
boost. Excessive boosting of low frequencies can eat up amplifier headroom quickly without
providing much benefit to the overall sound. It can also damage some low-frequency speakers
from overexcursion. Excessive boosting of high frequencies can damage high-frequency
speakers, ears, or both. Any boosting can cause problems with feedback. The rule with boosting
is to use extreme discretion and make sure you know what you are doing.
Use as little equalization as you can get away with to achieve good sound. Equalization can
easily make things worse if not used carefully. The “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it” rule applies
here. If it sounds good flat, then leave it flat (although in practice, most systems can be enhanced
using at least some equalization).
When using the unit for instrument equalization, a different set of rules applies. Boosting is often
used with instruments to achieve a particular effect. Also, it is typical to see radical equalization
curves used with electronic instruments. In these cases, the equalizer can actually be considered
part of the instrument: It helps create the sound. Be careful with acoustic instruments and
especially microphones and acoustic guitar pickups because a lot of boosting can still cause
feedback problems.
