10
About Equalization
The Hartke Systems Transient Attack® 1400/1415 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. EQ controls allow you to alter a sound by boosting or
attenuating specific frequency areas—they operate much like the bass and tre-
ble controls on your hi-fi amp, but with much greater precision. The Model
1400/1415 provides you with four bands of equalization. Each EQ knob
(labeled Low, Low Mid, High Mid, and High, respectively) affects a different fre-
quency area (33 Hz, 80 Hz, 240 Hz, and 2.5 kHz, respectively) and provides
approximately ± 15 db of boost and attenuation.
We carefully selected these frequency areas because they have maximum
impact on bass signals. For example, the Low (33 Hz) control affects the very
lowest audible frequencies (in fact, most humans cannot hear below 20 Hz),
while the High (2.5 kHz) control affects the “twang” of a bass string. When an
EQ 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. 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 vir-
tually the same effect as turning down the Volume. Both approaches are point-
less (after all, that’s why we gave you a Volume control!)
In many instances, the best way to deal with equalization is to think in terms of
which frequency areas you need to attenuate, as opposed to which ones you
need to boost. Be aware that boosting a frequency area also has the effect of
boosting the overall signal; specifically, too much Low or Low Mid EQ boost can
actually cause overload distortion or even harm a connected speaker, though
the Model 1400/1415’s Compressor—if on—will act to some extent to prevent
this from occurring. In general, if you’re going to apply a fair amount of Low or
Low Mid EQ boost, it’s a good idea to keep the Compressor on, if only to protect
your speakers from potential damage.
HIGH
HIGH MID
LOW MID
LOW
+15
-15
+15
-15
+15
-15
+15
-15
0dB
0dB
0dB
0dB
0dB
