EQ Graphical Display on the DP-24

[Dave Zippi]

-I think I have a bit of a mental block with the EQs on the DP-24.

-I completely grasp the Midrange with the "Q" feature but my concern is with the Low & High EQ graphical displays. These are Hi-Pass & Low-Pass EQs, aren't they?

-So then---How accurate is the visual EQ "Graphical Display" on the DP-24 & should I trust what I see or trust the frequencies that I know I'm cutting?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[-mjk-]

The high and low frequency bands can be used as such but that's not exactly what they are. For the most part the display seems to be accurate but EQ should be applied based on how it sounds rather than the display.

 

[Dave Zippi]

Thank You!
I guess the Low & High EQs are a cross between Hi-Pass & Low-Pass EQs & basic Treble & Bass knobs like in the Radios of cars in the old days. You are right---EQ should be applied based on how it sounds rather than the display.
-Dave

 

[Dave Zippi]

-Thanks for your answer that the Low & High EQs can be used as Hi-Pass & Low-Pass EQs but your answer is still a bit vague. Again, how reliable is the DP-24 "Graphical Display"?

-For example if I cut 3 dbs at 100 hz the "Graphical Display" shows that I'm cutting a good bit of dBs well above 100 hz. The same occurs when I use the High EQ.

-Again, are these Low & High EQ sections of the 3-band equalizer Low-Pass & High Pass filters or just basic treble & bass knobs. Do I need to purchase a good EQ software program to EQ like I've done in the past with my old Roland VS-890?

-Thanks for your patience with me.

-Dave

 

[-mjk-]

hi Dave,

Since you had a "grasp" of the other parameters, I directly answered your question about the hi/low pass aspects. I made no attempt at explained how the EQ works. As for your other questions:

-For example if I cut 3 dbs at 100 hz the "Graphical Display" shows that I'm cutting a good bit of dBs well above 100 hz. The same occurs when I use the High EQ.

That's what EQs do, depending upon the Q factor. The high and low bands to not have adjustable Q so the slope is what it is. You really cannot do surgical equalization on a DP machine.

-Again, are these Low & High EQ sections of the 3-band equalizer Low-Pass & High Pass filters or just basic treble & bass knobs. Do I need to purchase a good EQ software program to EQ like I've done in the past with my old Roland VS-890?

They are 2 bands of equalization. You can change the center frequencies of each band, and you can change the boost/cut, but not the Q.

You are asking questions that only you can answer, really. Is the display accurate enough for you? Don't know. Do you need to buy another EQ? Don't know that either.

You've asked about the accuracy of the display again. Let me be crystal clear: I do not know how accurate the display is, and I never thought about how accurate the display is. I never bothered to do any tests. I don't care, to be frank about it. I find the EQ is suitable for whatever I've done on that machine and I use my ears to make adjustments. I wouldn't consider the EQ on the DP machine to be a precision equalizer and it doesn't have an RTA anyway, so you can't look at where the energy is happening nor the effects of your boosts and cuts. I view the EQ display as a guide, not as an absolute indicator.

If you are more comfortable with/used to, using an EQ plugin in a DAW, by all means, have at it. Many users go back and forth between their DAW and the DP machine during the course of production.

Now, I have a question for you Dave: What exactly is hanging you up?

 

[Mark Richards]

...if I cut 3 dbs at 100 hz the "Graphical Display" shows that I'm cutting a good bit of dBs well above 100 hz. The same occurs when I use the High EQ...are these Low & High EQ sections of the 3-band equalizer Low-Pass & High Pass filters

The Low Gain/Low Frequency and High Gain/High Frequency Knobs are broadly sloped adjustments centered on the chosen frequency, impacting all frequencies within the curve and shelving at the chosen dB level and frequency.

E.g., setting the low band frequency to 100Hz and turning the gain to -12dB will have a very minor impact at 1kHz, with gradually increased impact (gain reduction) as the curve increases downward to 100Hz, and shelving by -12dB at 100Hz down to 32Hz.

If a track does require surgical EQing, the Mid Knob frequency range is 32 Hz to 18 kHz, the Q Knob range is .25 (very broad) to 16 (very narrow), and the Gain Knob adjustment is +/- 12dB.

The Display Graph depicts how the Low, Mid, and High EQ parameters impact the audio signal. But if you want, you can download and import a pink noise .wav file, or individual frequency (20Hz - 20kHz) .wav files to hear the impact of the various parameter settings.

 

[Dave Zippi]

Thanks MJK!
I appreciate your thoroughness in addressing my questions. I finally get it now.

Thanks Mark for your clarifications.

I guess that I'm used to the EQ graph on my old Roland VS-890 where the LOW & HI EQs were EQ shelves & displayed them that way.

I do love my DP-24.

-Dave

 

[-mjk-]

@Mark Richards said:

If a track does require surgical EQing, the Mid Knob frequency range is 32 Hz to 18 kHz, the Q Knob range is .25 (very broad) to 16 (very narrow), and the Gain Knob adjustment is +/- 12dB

This is true. The mid band can do some very precise adjustments. Thanks for the correction.