About Equalization; Using Equalization - Hartke HS 1200 KickBack User Manual

Using Equalization

The Hartke Systems Transient Attack® HS 1200 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 impor-
tant 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 treble controls on
your hi-fi amp, but with much greater precision. The HS 1200 provides
you with three bands of equalization. Each EQ knob (labeled Low, Mid,
and High, respectively) affects a different frequency area (100 Hz,
300 Hz, and 5 kHz, respectively) and provides approximately 15 db of
boost and attenuation.
0 0 0
-15 +15 +15 -15 +15
-15
LOW MID HIGH
We carefully selected these frequency areas because they have maxi-
mum impact on bass signals. For example, the Low (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 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
virtually the same effect as turning down the Volume. Both approaches
are pointless (after all, that's why we gave you a Volume control!)
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