How To Use It; Eq Tips - Boss

GT-X Setup Manual

Section 20 Equalisation (EQ)
While setting it to the minimum (0,5), would give
something like this:
+12
+8
+4
+2 x
x
0 T T
-2
500 630
Note that the scale is certainly wrong. ;-)
Lo-Mid EQ
This is the value by which you'll boost or cut the
frequency you chose (and of course the frequencies
around). That's the last parameter of this band.
Hi-Mid f, Hi-Mid Q and Hi-Mid EQ
These are just duplicates of Lo-Mid f, Lo-Mid Q
and Lo-Mid EQ, so I won't explain them again.
Hi-EQ
Like Low EQ, this is a fixed frequency, with a
fixed Q. In the GT-3/5 it can be boosted/cut by 20
dB but they don't give its frequency and Q. I'd say
it's 10 kHz with a Q of 1.
Level
Allows you to compensate the changes you've
done. For example if you raise two different
frequencies by 20 dB (what I wouldn't recommend
anyway), the output volume of the equalizer will
be a lot louder than it is in input. Adjust Level to
get the same volume with the equalizer On and
OFF. [This is the level matching of the effects
chain—Barry]

How to Use It

Now, how to use it? If you know exactly which frequency
you want to increase or decrease, there's no problem. But
what when you don't? First, don't worry, there's an easy
way. Second good news, by using this way repeatedly,
you'll learn to recognize the frequencies. Set the EQ up like
this:
EQUALIZER
Low EQ:
Low-Mid freq:
Low-Mid Q:
Low-Mid EQ:
High-Mid freq:
High-Mid Q:
High-Mid EQ:
High EQ:
Level:
© Copyright 2000-2002 Barry S. Pearce et al.
T
x x
x x
x x
x
x
T T T T
800 1k 1.25k 1.6k 2k
0
1.00kHz
16
0
whatever
whatever
0
0
0
Note that all "EQ" settings are set to 0 (and Level too) so
our equalization is flat. As long as all EQ settings are set to
0, you can set the other settings to whatever you want, and
you won't hear any difference.
Connect your guitar and play a couple of notes. Since your
equalization is flat, your sound shouldn't have changed.
T
Turn the equalizer ON/OFF if you want to make sure. You
should hear no difference.
2.5k
Now make sure the equalizer is ON, and boost Low-Mid
EQ to 20 (don't do this at home with your amp's volume all
the way up!). Since we've set the Low-Mid Q to 16 (the
sharper), you'll hear immediately what frequency 1 kHz is.
Now go back to Low-Mid f, and move the dial both ways.
You'll hear very easily the difference between each
frequency. When you've got the frequency you're looking
for, go to Low-Mid Q, and decrease its value slowly, to
affect the frequencies around. You'll hear more and more
adjacent frequencies being boosted. Set it as you want, then
go to Low-Mid EQ, and adjust the value as you want. You
may have to go back and forth between Low-Mid Q and
Low-Mid EQ to find the correct setting for both.
You can repeat this operation with the High-Mid band. Note
that if you select the same frequency as in the Low-Mid
band, you may boost or cut it by 20dB more.

EQ Tips

Remember that your ears have a short memory. That is,
they'll get quickly used to the equalized sound. So when
you're doing your equalization, often turn the equalizer OFF
and back ON, to compare the equalized sound with the flat
sound.
As a general rule, it's a good idea to avoid over-
equalization. Extreme EQ values should be used only to
make "wild" sounds or to cut a feedback. BTW, to cut a
feedback, use the method described above, but start with the
EQ at -20 instead of +20. Move the dial until you cut the
feedback. When you find it, bring the EQ up slowly until
the feedback comes again, then lower it just until the
feedback stops.
It's often faster and easier to find which frequency is too
loud and to lower it, rather than boosting a lot of other
frequencies. So if you can't find the equalization you're
looking for by boosting frequencies, try to think the other
way around: what do I need to remove?
I was asked questions like "where is the body?", or "what
makes it sound muddy?". The problem, with these kind of
sound descriptions, is that everyone has his own image
associated with it. IMHO, it's better to learn identifying the
frequencies, and the method I've described in "How To Use
It" is the key: each time you use it, you train your ears to
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