ALESIS DEQ230D - Manual (Page 29)

3 Basics of Equalization
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This section will explain how equalization works, and explain the
functions of the DEQ230’s controls.
What is equalization?
An equalizer boosts or cuts a frequency range. The DEQ230 is a
graphic equalizer, which means it has many fixed frequency bands
that can be cut or boosted. The term "graphic" is appropriate
because the combined settings of the bands often resemble a
curve, or a "graph." Thus it is often possible to know what the unit
is doing to the sound simply by looking at it from a distance. The
other type of equalizer, a parametric equalizer, can sweep the
frequency bands and adjust the frequency range affected by the cut
or boost of each band. Alesis sells a parametric equalizer called the
PEQ-450.
The most basic level of control on a graphic equalizer is the gain
setting for a band. Each of the bands represents a pre-determined
frequency range, and its gain setting controls the amount of boost
or cut for that frequency range. A setting of 0 dB means that the
signal will not be affected in the area of those audio frequencies.
Depending on the program material, boosting or cutting just one
frequency can have a significant impact on the sound. When all of
the frequency bands are taken together, the impact can be huge.
Equalization is used for:
• Adjusting the timbre of an instrument, voice, mix or effect
• Cutting or boosting frequencies to make a source easier to mix
with other tracks
• Compensating for a less-than-ideal recording
• Compensating for less-than-ideal control room or auditorium
acoustics
• Creating a filter effect
• Eliminating buzz, noise or hum
Equalizers can make your recorded tracks sound polished and
professional. Chapter 4 will describe some specific settings for
various instruments and applications.