Behringer EQ700 Product Information Document - Page 2

Applying EQ to the Guitar, How the specific frequency bands of the EQ700 can shape your sound - graphic equalizer

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Product Information Document Guitar Stompboxes (3"1)*$&26"-*;&3 &2 Ultimate 7-Band Graphic Equalizer Applying EQ to the Guitar Most acoustic and electric guitar energy lies between 100 Hz and 6.4 kHz. Even slight changes in this range can cause a tremendous variation in overall energy and impact, as the human ear is especially sensitive to this range. Boosting frequencies around 200 Hz - 400 Hz often provides warmth and body, while boosting frequencies in the 3.2 kHz - 6.4 kHz range adds clarity to clean guitar signals. Depending on the amount of distortion, this same range can ruin the sound of an overdriven electric guitar by adding harsh harmonics. One of the most common mistakes is adding too much bass to acoustic guitars. If the low frequencies are boosted excessively, acoustics can easily get lost in the overall mix. Most acoustic guitars are also prone to feedback in the 200 Hz - 400 Hz range. A general rule of thumb - the best results are often achieved by finding and reducing the frequency bands that are offending, and then turning up the overall volume, rather than boosting one specific band. How the specific frequency bands of the EQ700 can shape your sound: • 100 Hz (low bass) Boost: To add fullness, especially with clean electrics Cut: To reduce muddy or boomy tone and control acoustic guitar feedback • 200 Hz (soft bass) Boost: To increase warmth and provide a slightly harder sound Cut: To increase clarity and reduce feedback in acoustic guitars • 400 Hz (hard bass) Boost: To add definition to rhythm parts Cut: To reduce feedback in acoustic guitars (major feedback zone for piezo-equipped flattops) • 800 Hz Boost: To add aggressive edge to overall sound Cut: To reduce nasal or horn-like content, often called "cheap guitar" syndrome • 1.6 kHz Boosting: Makes guitar cut through mix and creates more distinctive plucked tone Cutting: Eliminates dullness and competition with vocals (vocal fundamentals typically range from 1.0 kHz - 2.5 kHz) • 3.2 kHz Boost: To add significant attack and creates even more distinctive plucked tone Cut: To eliminate harshness • 6.4 kHz Boost: To add edge and increase brightness Cut: To soften thin-sounding guitars and remove string squeak 2 of 6

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Ultimate 7-Band Graphic Equalizer
Guitar Stompboxes
GRAPHIC EQUALIZER
EQ700
Product Information Document
2 of 6
Applying EQ to the Guitar
Most acoustic and electric guitar energy lies between 100 Hz and 6.4 kHz. Even slight changes in this range can cause a tremendous variation
in overall energy and impact, as the human ear is especially sensitive to this range. Boosting frequencies around 200 Hz - 400 Hz often provides
warmth and body, while boosting frequencies in the 3.2 kHz - 6.4 kHz range adds clarity to clean guitar signals. Depending on the amount of
distortion, this same range can ruin the sound of an overdriven electric guitar by adding harsh harmonics. One of the most common mistakes
is adding too much bass to acoustic guitars. If the low frequencies are boosted excessively, acoustics can easily get lost in the overall mix.
Most acoustic guitars are also prone to feedback in the 200 Hz - 400 Hz range. A general rule of thumb – the best results are often achieved by
finding and reducing the frequency bands that are offending, and then turning up the overall volume, rather than boosting one specific band.
How the specific frequency bands of the EQ700 can shape your sound:
•
100 Hz (low bass)
Boost:
To add fullness, especially with clean electrics
Cut:
To reduce muddy or boomy tone and control acoustic guitar feedback
•
200 Hz (soft bass)
Boost:
To increase warmth and provide a slightly harder sound
Cut:
To increase clarity and reduce feedback in acoustic guitars
•
400 Hz (hard bass)
Boost:
To add definition to rhythm parts
Cut:
To reduce feedback in acoustic guitars (major feedback zone for piezo-equipped flattops)
•
800 Hz
Boost:
To add aggressive edge to overall sound
Cut:
To reduce nasal or horn-like content, often called “cheap guitar” syndrome
•
1.6 kHz
Boosting:
Makes guitar cut through mix and creates more distinctive plucked tone
Cutting:
Eliminates dullness and competition with vocals (vocal fundamentals typically range from 1.0 kHz - 2.5 kHz)
•
3.2 kHz
Boost:
To add significant attack and creates even more distinctive plucked tone
Cut:
To eliminate harshness
•
6.4 kHz
Boost:
To add edge and increase brightness
Cut:
To soften thin-sounding guitars and remove string squeak