[akbal]

I simply want to know what is the real purpose of an EQ.
If it's not to enhance bass or treble of an audio piece, then what?
For the audiophile an EQ is a no-no?
For a home studio, do I need one?

[Don Pearce]

On Fri, 16 May 2008 00:35:18 -0700 (PDT), akbal
wrote:

I simply want to know what is the real purpose of an EQ.
If it's not to enhance bass or treble of an audio piece, then what?
For the audiophile an EQ is a no-no?
For a home studio, do I need one?

The REAL use of eq was to equalize. In other words, when using a
variety of microphones, all with their own frequency responses, they
could all be brought to the same tone. The current use is more for
tone control during recording - exactly the opposite of equalization
in fact.

Once the recording is done, and it is in a domestic Hi Fi, we tend to
talk about tone control rather than eq because we are working with a
complete mix, and it is impossible to equalize the individual parts.
It is still a useful tool, though, and shouldn't be regarded as a
no-no. It must be said, though, that if you find yourself using large
deviations from flat, then you have a serious problem with the room,
which should be attended to.

As for the home studio, yes of course, it is vital. Presumably the
studio is digital, using a small mixer and some software like
audition. The mixer should allow you to do some preliminary eq before
you record, like losing some of the bass on a cardioid mic when it is
close to the instrument or voice. You can then fine tune with the eq
in the software to get exactly the sound you want. You can't do
without it,

d

--
Pearce Consulting
http://www.pearce.uk.com

[Laurence Payne[_2_]]

On Fri, 16 May 2008 00:35:18 -0700 (PDT), akbal
wrote:

I simply want to know what is the real purpose of an EQ.
If it's not to enhance bass or treble of an audio piece, then what?
For the audiophile an EQ is a no-no?
For a home studio, do I need one?

You need eq when recording, either on the mixer input channels or
applied later in your DAW. It's used to optimise the sound of a
particular source/microphone, and also sometimes to savagely
de-optimise it by cutting frequency ranges that fight with something
else in the mix :-)

In a PA situation eq on the main outputs can help compensate for
sub-optimal room acoustics and speaker placement. Or sometimes you
have to sacrifice quality in favour of Gain Before Feedback by
cuttting certain frequencies (but does it all HAVE to be that loud?).

In the studio, many monitors include a treble cut switch and maybe a
3-position bass filter allowing the unit to be positioned in a corner,
against a wall or in free space. But you're not looking to "enhance"
anything at this stage, you're trying to get an accurate picture of
what you've recorded.

[Arny Krueger]

"akbal" wrote in message


I simply want to know what is the real purpose of an EQ.

The most common purpose of equalization is to change the timbre of musical
sounds.

However, equalization is also often used for technical purposes, such as
removing hum or decreasing feedback in a live sound system.

If it's not to enhance bass or treble of an audio piece,
then what?

Sounds like you've only had experience with very simple forms of
equalization, such as the bass and treble controls on a piece of hi fi gear.
Those are very simple tools.

Serious audio production gear includes a large number of far more
sophisticated tools that are also called equalizers - tools that are more
selective, more powerful, and generally more useful. The next step up from
simple bass and treble controls would be graphic equalizers. Beyond that
there are parametric equalizers.

For the audiophile an EQ is a no-no?

Audiophiles have been mis-educated to fear equalization. An early insight to
that occurred back in the late 60s when an audio dealer demonstrated an
integrated amplifier with a simple 5-band graphic equalizer. He said that he
didn't like it, because it could make less expensive equipment sound like
more expensive equipment.

For a home studio, do I need one?

Only if you want to make your work sound better.

In an audio production environment, there are often uncontrollable factors
that will upset the natural timbre of the sounds you are working with.
Effective use of an effective equalizer can be a valuable tool for restoring
the sound quality that you desire.

[Scott Dorsey]

akbal wrote:
I simply want to know what is the real purpose of an EQ.
If it's not to enhance bass or treble of an audio piece, then what?

Real equalizers allow you to create a notch or a peak, and select how wide
the notch or peak is, how high it is, and what frequency it is at. So you
can use it to eliminate particular problems with an original track, like
boomy sounds or buzzes. You can also use it to dramatically change sounds
in order to make them fit together better.

For the audiophile an EQ is a no-no?

For audiophile recordings, you don't want to use equalization unless you
absolutely have to, no.

For a home studio, do I need one?

Probably, although these days with DAW systems you probably already have
one in software. If you do not, a used Orban 622 or a Speck would be
worth buying.

You do not want to use equalization on your monitors, you want to use it
on your tracks.

There is a good introduction to this stuff in the Yamaha Sound Reinforcement
Handbook. It's oriented toward PA but is a good introduction to audio
electronics in general.
--scott.
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Badmuts]

"akbal" wrote in message
...
I simply want to know what is the real purpose of an EQ.
If it's not to enhance bass or treble of an audio piece, then what?

Among other things, you could use an EQ to compensate for acoustical
shortcomings in your listening room or speakers/monitors, or just to tune
the sound to your taste, or to certain conditions (for example removing a
bit of mid so people can still talk to each other in the same room like with
background music in a cafe or a place like that)

For the audiophile an EQ is a no-no?

Equalizers put lots of stuff in the audio signal path that messes with the
phase of the signal or may cause noise or distortion.
This may or may not harm your recording or listening experience, depending
on the quality of the gear and the insight with which it's being used.
Most audiophiles tend to be scared of things that alter phase or add
distortion or sonic color.
But most musicians tend to like this sort of thing.
If you're both, you have to make a choice in what works for you and for the
situation.

For a home studio, do I need one?

I'd sure want one, yes. It's also a valuable tool to learn about the
frequency characteristics of music, musical instruments, vocals etc.
Try playing something through a 31-band equalizer with all sliders set to
the middle position, and lift the sliders one by one, and listen (and note!)
what is being accentuated: the boom of the drum, the s in vocals, the twang
and jangle in a guitar, etc.
This insight is very valuable when you have a studio of any kind, when
putting together a mix, when recording instruments, when getting mics,
monitors etc.

Bm

[Paul Stamler]

"akbal" wrote in message
...
I simply want to know what is the real purpose of an EQ.
If it's not to enhance bass or treble of an audio piece, then what?
For the audiophile an EQ is a no-no?
For a home studio, do I need one?

Equalizers (abbreviated EQs) were originally created by the telephone
company. The purpose was to compensate for losses in the lines, so that the
system passed all frequencies equally (hence the name). Typically these were
passive devices made from coils and capacitors, with an amplifier following
to make up for the loss that the equalizer imposed.

Recording studios began using them to change the frequency response of
signals, either compensating for deficiencies in the microphones or for
creative effects; eventually, the use of equalizers to change frequency
response became routine in recording.

Equalizers can also change the frequency responses of speakers in rooms, by
changing the response of the signal going to the speaker's power
amplifier(s). There was a period during the 1970s-1980s when massive amounts
of equalization were used on control-room monitors in an effort to produce
flat response; this idea has become less popular with the realization that
the equalization works only for a single point in the room, it can't
eliminate peaks and dips due to standing waves, etc.. Nowadays room
equalization is used less frequently, and usually to correct deficiencies in
the speakers rather than the room. Room deficiencies are better controlled
with acoustical treatment. (An exception: there are some loudspeakers
specifically designed for use with equalizers, usually for bass frequencies.
Sometimes these have additional bass extension created by boosting low
frequencies; others can be adjusted to match various room positions.)

All electronic equipment degrades the signal to a greater or lesser expent.
Many audiophiles prefer not to use equalizers (including "tone controls",
which are usually simple shelving equalizers), on the grounds that any
improvement in tonal balance is not worth the slight degradation the
electronics produce. Other audiophiles disagree.

That's a start; go look up "equalizers" in a good online source for more
information about how they actually work, what sorts of response changes
they produce, etc..

Peace,
Paul

[Ron Capik]

Paul Stamler wrote:

"akbal" wrote in message
...
I simply want to know what is the real purpose of an EQ.
If it's not to enhance bass or treble of an audio piece, then what?
For the audiophile an EQ is a no-no?
For a home studio, do I need one?

Equalizers (abbreviated EQs) were originally created by the telephone
company. The purpose was to compensate for losses in the lines, so that the
system passed all frequencies equally (hence the name). Typically these were
passive devices made from coils and capacitors, with an amplifier following
to make up for the loss that the equalizer imposed.
...snip...

Peace,
Paul

For what it's worth (taking that thought into the present)
the telephone company created an optical graphic equalizer
to compensate for losses in fiber-optic lines. Also passive
though not coils or capacitors and maybe followed by an
optical amplifier.

[The more things change, the more they stay the same.] G


Later...

Ron Capik
--

[akbal]

On May 16, 9:57*am, "Paul Stamler" wrote:
"akbal" wrote in message

...

I simply want to know what is the real purpose of an EQ.
If it's not to enhance bass or treble of an audio piece, then what?
For the audiophile an EQ is a no-no?
For a home studio, do I need one?

Equalizers (abbreviated EQs) were originally created by the telephone
company. The purpose was to compensate for losses in the lines, so that the
system passed all frequencies equally (hence the name). Typically these were
passive devices made from coils and capacitors, with an amplifier following
to make up for the loss that the equalizer imposed.

Recording studios began using them to change the frequency response of
signals, either compensating for deficiencies in the microphones or for
creative effects; eventually, the use of equalizers to change frequency
response became routine in recording.

Equalizers can also change the frequency responses of speakers in rooms, by
changing the response of the signal going to the speaker's power
amplifier(s). There was a period during the 1970s-1980s when massive amounts
of equalization were used on control-room monitors in an effort to produce
flat response; this idea has become less popular with the realization that
the equalization works only for a single point in the room, it can't
eliminate peaks and dips due to standing waves, etc.. Nowadays room
equalization is used less frequently, and usually to correct deficiencies in
the speakers rather than the room. Room deficiencies are better controlled
with acoustical treatment. (An exception: there are some loudspeakers
specifically designed for use with equalizers, usually for bass frequencies.
Sometimes these have additional bass extension created by boosting low
frequencies; others can be adjusted to match various room positions.)

All electronic equipment degrades the signal to a greater or lesser expent..
Many audiophiles prefer not to use equalizers (including "tone controls",
which are usually simple shelving equalizers), on the grounds that any
improvement in tonal balance is not worth the slight degradation the
electronics produce. Other audiophiles disagree.

That's a start; go look up "equalizers" in a good online source for more
information about how they actually work, what sorts of response changes
they produce, etc..

Peace,
Paul

Very interesting.

[akbal]

Thank you everybody for your very knowledgable input I really do
apprecciate it.

Alex