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62 Chapter 5 EQ
Parameter Section
Below the graphic display area are controls that both show the settings for each band,
and which you can use to adjust each band’s settings.
 Frequency fields: Sets the frequency for each band.
 Gain knobs: Sets the amount of gain for each band.
 Q/Order fields: Sets the Q or bandwidth for each band (the range of frequencies
around the center frequency that are altered). For bands 1 and 5, this changes the
slope of the filter.
 Band On/Off buttons: Click the numbered button to turn each band on or off.
Inactive bands do not use your computer’s resources.
Master Gain Section
 Master Gain slider and field: Located to the right of the Parameter section. Sets the
output level of the signal. After boosting or cutting frequency bands, you can use the
Master Gain fader to adjust the output level.
Using the Fat EQ
The icons above the graphic display let you switch the type of EQ for each band, except
for Band 3, which always operates as a fully parametric bell filter. You can use the
controls in the Parameter section to set the frequency, gain, and Q for each band, as
well as turn individual bands on or off.
At low Q values, the EQ covers a wider frequency range, while at high Q values, the
effect of the EQ band is limited to a very narrow frequency range. Keep in mind that
the Q value can significantly influence how audible your changes are: if you’re working
with a narrow frequency band, you’ll generally need to cut or boost it more drastically
to notice the difference.
Single Band EQs
Following are descriptions of each of the effects found in the Single Band sub-menu.
High Cut and Low Cut Filter
As their names suggest, the Low Cut Filter attenuates the frequency range below the
selected frequency, while the High Cut Filter attenuates the frequency range above the
selected frequency. Each has a single parameter to set the cutoff frequency.