EQ.....

[short skirt high heels 0]

I know this is a bit of a thorny issue. I for one fall into the "No" camp for more than one reason:

I like to try to play the music as faithfully to how it was recorded as possible.

I just don't see the point over-egging some elements of some tunes. They were recorded the way they were for a reason.

I think the practice of setting your EQ to suit a particular room is nonsense - how do you know what the music should really sound like? Take a trumpet for example - how does the player compensate for a different room? There really isn't much that can be done apart from playing properly - the acoustics of an individual room cannot really be altered.

 

There, now I've lit the blue touch paper I'll stand back and watch.

[robbiedj 0]

I tend to set my eq flat as this is how the artist intended it to be heard and, having worked in studios, I know the effort that goes in to get the balance just the way they want it. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif

 

With a good sound system there is no need to mess with it. The only time I do is with some 50s or early 60s tracks, when I admit to hitting the bass boost.

 

So, if it ain't broke, don't mend it. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/nono.gif

[High Fidelity 0]

I have the EQ set on the EQ unit and it never seems to get moved, no matter what venue I'm in.

 

I will occasionally adjust the 3 band EQ on the mixer for individual tracks during the gig, but it always seems to be the same tracks receiving the same treatment.

[BigBen 0]

I used to play with the EQ all the time, mostly turning the bass up and down according to the track, to try and get as good a sound as possible. But I don't have a good ear so I have taken the lazy route and purchased some speakers seem to sound good, to me, all the time.

[RobbieD 0]

QUOTE (short skirt high heels @ Jul 24 2006, 07:59 AM)

the acoustics of an individual room cannot really be altered.

No, but some compensation doesn't go a miss. Particularly the bass end if using seperate subs.

 

As a bare minimum, every gig in a new venue will involve adjusting the sub level to integrate well with the tops. A marquee for instance will need the subs set much higher than indoors to achieve the same sound balance. Also the position of the subs has an effect, and after setting up, it's easier to tweak the level than it is to move the subs.

 

I agree with your point about acoustic instruments, such as a trumpet, not being adjusted for a room, but the majority of the music we play is made up of amplified instruments (electrics guitars, bass, keyboards, etc). A live band playing amplified instruments without a PA will still adjust levels of their seperate amps to give a well balanced sound in the room they are playing.

 

But I voted no, as it is a set once per venue situation. However using the Eq to cut frequencies during mixing is another thing. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Welsh Audio Man 21 0]

A booking i have next week, is for a company, summer party.. 600 people have confirmed their invite, and apparently, they are still pending a few replies...

 

They also have a band playing, who will be running through my system...

 

To cover myself, volume wise, im using a full range system, 18" bins, 15" mids and 15" tops with 2" horn...

and will be running off 3 amps....

So to get a decent balance, i will most definately be using my 31 band stereo graphic equaliser... I use mine alot, and im not ashamed of it either... every one to his own though! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif

[cj_65 0]

I have to agree with Robbie - the only time I touch my eq is

if I have my bass bins - trying to get a good balance between

with the mid/tops but it's usually a last resort and I feel as

though I've not got the balance/placement right

before hand.

[otronics 0]

My IDEX speakers have too much treble and not enough bass on their own, so that's at immediate tweak.

 

Every venue is different, so I always adjust accordingly. Otherwise, what's the point in having it?

 

I do a sound check and set it, then, when the room is full with people everything changes so tweak it again, and maybe again, and maybe again..............until it sounds good.

[Welsh Audio Man 21 0]

QUOTE (otronics @ Jul 24 2006, 12:04 PM)

My IDEX speakers have too much treble and not enough bass on their own, so that's at immediate tweak. Every venue is different, so I always adjust accordingly. Otherwise, what's the point in having it? I do a sound check and set it, then, when the room is full with people everything changes so tweak it again, and maybe again, and maybe again..............until it sounds good.

glad someone agrees with me.... http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif

 

 

[bluejools 0]

odd tweak of treble or bass......nothing special... middle frequencies stay flat.

 

Since i have active speakers, if i need more or less bass i use the volume knob at set up time.

 

 

 

[YourBigEvent 0]

Flat

[UKHero 0]

An EQ is a very usefull bit of kit but only if used correctly and in moderation.

 

All enviroments have different characteristics and some form of compensation is generally needed. In live music many Eq's are used such as 1 per Monitor mix and for FOH (Front Of House)

 

Also as to propper use it is sometimes better to cut than to boost, ie if there is to much top end do not add bottom but cut some top etc.

 

I agree a lot of time and effort goes into a recording but this is in optimal conditions and not in a local vilage hall or out doors etc.

 

If you believe that an EQ is of no use to you then you have never used one correctly.... They are an engineers god send in many cases and give you so much more control over the tonal quality of your sound....

 

Get a 31 band EQ and have a play listen to the difference each slider makes when fully boosted and fully cut..... get to know your EQ and you will have a friend for life lol

 

 

Nik

 

[Kingy 0]

Don't use one on the disco, but when doing PA for bands...always.

 

I use a 31 band per ch on the foh and a 15 band on each individual monitor.

[Andy Westcott 0]

I also have a 31 band EQ in line, and have it permanently set to compensate for a slight hump in the upper midrange of my speaker system - about 5 - 6KHz, a dip of about -3dB is all it takes to even this out.

 

I also boost things by about +3dB around 40Hz, to slghtly emphasise those deepest notes on the odd accasion they come along, and roll off below that.

 

Any adjustments song-to-song get done using the bass control on the mixer.

 

And no, I don't continually fiddle with the EQ. It is doing the job it was bought for, and I leave it set to what I feel is correct.

[Welsh Audio Man 21 0]

We all seem to have our own opinions, and im not afraid to say, i use my EQ alot...

 

For those who use EQ.. How about posting pics of your settings, i know they get moved for different venues, but your usual, average setting,

 

Heres mine

 

Mine again

 

As you can see, im not at all subtle..... http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/tongue.gif

[Paul Smith 0]

Don't know about your settings but you do need your toenails cut http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/kid.gif

 

I do adjust mine to suit the acoustics of the room (mainly the bass) and may make the odd tweak during the night (normally after a visit to the toilets when I re-enter the room with fresh ears as it were)

 

 

[Welsh Audio Man 21 0]

QUOTE (5star @ Jul 26 2006, 01:23 AM)

Don't know about your settings but you do need your toenails cut http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/kid.gif

those settings work well for me!

 

And thanks for the toenail reminder! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/thumbup.gif http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/laugh.gif

[Simonlm 0]

I use the bog standard EQ on the mixer and set it at the biggining of a night, it often stays the same, but certain room caracteristics do force me to change every now and again, once did a gig in a sports hall and the bass was bouncing off the aluminium roof, not so good so had to turn the bass down.

 

Although generally mine Eq's form a shallow "u" shape with a bit of bass and treble and not so much in the mid range.

[pdarnett 0]

eq? not needed now i have a bose L1 !!!

[Gary 0]

QUOTE (pdarnett @ Jul 26 2006, 11:55 AM)

eq? not needed now i have a bose L1 !!!

Carefull http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif , or we'll have to start calling you Rendezvous and start linking his theme tune ( http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/huh.gif ) to your posts...

[Kingy 0]

QUOTE (pdarnett @ Jul 26 2006, 11:55 AM)

eq? not needed now i have a bose L1 !!!

So they don't have an inbuilt EQ then???

[pdarnett 0]

yes but just haven't needed it yet!! whats richards theme tune then?

[Gary 0]

QUOTE (pdarnett @ Jul 26 2006, 06:52 PM)

whats richards theme tune then?

It can be heard here...

 

When you're listening, just swap all the "Ba"'s to "Bose".... http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/071.gif ....with a really big, loud, BOSE at the end...

 

 

Auditions for the cover version at 17:00 GMT.

Edited July 27, 2006 by Gary