Behringer DEQ2496 Manual - Page 7

7 ULTRACURVE PRO DEQ2496 User Manual On pages 1 and 2 of the DEQ menu you can adjust the necessary settings to determine the threshold and the way of sound processing. Additionally, you will find a graphic representation of the control curve with regard to THRESHOLD, GAIN and RATIO. In the center of the display, the LEVEL meter (left) indicates the filtered DEQ input level (control signal), while the GAIN meter (right) shows how much boost/cut is applied to the signal. Page 3 includes a frequency diagram showing the filter curves with regard to frequency and threshold. The current DEQ input level can be seen from the LEVEL meter on the right. Fig. 3.4: DEQ menu (page 1) The make-up gain parameter M-GAIN on page 1 allows you to set the amount of boost/cut for the filter with the upper data wheel. The setting range is from -15 to +15 dB. THRESHOLD (large data wheel) defines the threshold as of which the filter function is activated. If the filter has been set to attenuate the signal (M-GAIN < 0), then the desired frequency range (see page 3) will be lowered in level as soon as it exceeds the threshold. If boost is required (M-GAIN > 0), the frequency range will be raised in level as soon as the signal drops below the threshold. The RATIO parameter (lower data wheel) determines the amount of boost/cut applied to the respective frequency range, if the signal exceeds or drops below the threshold. The setting range is from 1:2 to 1:100. The FREQUENCY parameter determines the center frequency of the filter (large data wheel). In the case of low-shelving and high-shelving filters, this is the cut-off frequency as of which the low or high frequencies are processed. The entire frequency spectrum ranges from 20 to 20,000 Hz. Press the data wheel to select a coarse (1/6 oct. per step) or fine adjustment scale (1/60 oct. per step). If you selected "bandpass" under MODE, the parameter BW(OCT) appears in the lower right part of the display. Here, you can use the lower data wheel to adjust the bandwidth of your choice and thus determine the "width" of the filter curve (1/10 oct. to 10 oct.). The B key selects which of the dynamic EQs is displayed. Three EQs are available for each stereo side. Keep the key pressed to reset the settings of the currently selected DEQ. This table shows an example with extreme settings, thus illustrating how a dynamic EQ works: MODE FREQ M-GAIN BW(OCT) THRESHOLD RATIO Settings BP 1.00 kHz +15 dB > continuous line 0 dB > broken line -15 dB > dotted line 0.1 -40 dB 1:100 Tab. 3.1: Bandpass with extreme settings (see also fig. 3.7) 0 dB Positive gain > gain boost after dropping below threshold -40 dB Fig. 3.5: DEQ menu (page 2) On the second page of the DEQ menu (accessed by pressing the DEQ or PAGE key), you can define two additional dynamics parameters. ATTACK (upper data wheel) determines how fast the dynamic EQ starts processing when the signal exceeds or drops below the threshold. The ATTACK times available range from 0 to 200 milliseconds. Press this control to select a coarse or fine adjustment scale. The RELEASE parameter (lower data wheel) lets you adjust the time needed by the EQ to "release" the sound after the signal has exceeded or dropped below threshold (depending on the GAIN setting). The RELEASE times available range from 20 to 4,000 milliseconds. Here, too, you can press the control to select a coarse or fine adjustment scale. It is on this page that you can also edit the THRESHOLD value (large data wheel), so as to be able to make some readjustments without having to change to another page. Negative gain > gain reduction after exceeding threshold -40 dB 0 dB Threshold Fig. 3.7: Filter curves with signal above/below the threshold 3.2.4 FBD menu The DEQ2496 features a "Feedback Destroyer" function, which corresponds largely to the PEQ menu as far as operation and choice of parameters are concerned. However, the FBD menu has some additional functions and therefore comprises three pages rather than just two. The Feedback Destroyer allows you to apply heavy attenuation (no boost) to specific frequency ranges, so as to remove certain frequencies that are liable to cause feedback. With its extermely narrow-band filters it hardly affects the overall sound at all. Fig. 3.6: DEQ menu (page 3) As mentioned before, page 3 includes a frequency diagram and the gain reduction meter. MODE (upper data wheel) defines the filter type, and you can choose from high-shelving, low-shelving and band-pass filters. Fig. 3.8: FBD menu (page 1)