User Guide

Chapter 5 EQ 87
In the graphic display, each EQ band appears as a different color. You can graphically
adjust the frequency of a band by dragging horizontally in the area of the band. Drag
vertically to adjust the amount of gain for the band (For bands 1 and 8, the slope
values can only be changed in the parameter area below the graphic display). Each
band has a pivot point, which appears as a small circle on the curve at the location of
the band’s frequency; you can adjust the Q or width of the band by dragging the pivot
point vertically.
You can also adjust the decibel scale of the graphic display by vertically dragging either
the left or right edge of the display (where the dB numbers appear) when the Analyzer
is not active. When the Analyzer is active, dragging the left edge adjusts the linear dB
scale, and dragging the right edge adjusts the Analyzer dB scale.
To increase the resolution of the EQ curve display in the most interesting area around
the zero line, drag the dB scale on the left side of the graphic display upward. Drag
downward to decrease the resolution. The overall range is always ±30, but small values
are easier to recognize.
When you work with the Channel EQ, you can turn off any bands you are not using to
shape the sound. Inactive bands do not use any computer resources.
Using the Analyzer
When you turn on the Analyzer, the Channel EQ shows a realtime curve of all frequency
components of the signal as the audio plays, superimposed over the EQ curves you set,
using a Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT). The Analyzer curve uses the same scale as the
EQ curves, allowing you to easily recognize important frequencies in the audio and use
the EQ curves to raise or lower them.
As soon as the Analyzer is activated, you can change the Analyzer Top parameter,
which alters the scaling of the FFT Analyzer, on the right side of the graphic display. The
visible area represents a dynamic range of 60 dB, but by click-holding and vertically
dragging, you can adjust the maximum value between +20 dB and –40 dB. The
Analyzer display is always dB-linear.
When choosing a resolution from the menu, keep in mind that the higher the
resolution, the more CPU power is required. High resolution is necessary whenever you
need reliable results in very low bass frequencies, for example. The bands derived from
FFT analysis are divided in accordance with the frequency linear principle, meaning
that there are more bands in higher octaves than in lower ones.
Note: The FFT Analyzer needs additional CPU resources. In fact, CPU usage increases
significantly at higher resolutions! It is recommend that you disable the Analyzer or
close the Channel EQ window when you play or record the project, after setting the
desired EQ parameters. This will free up CPU resources for other tasks.