Manual

13
2.5 Shelving Sections
In the Oxford EQ, the highest and lowest bandpass sections can be independently switched to
provide a shelving function. Although shelving functions are often considered elementary,
they are by no means all the same, and their importance to the sound engineer should not be
underestimated. Various types in common use are considered to favour certain types of use or
are considered preferable by users of differing persuasions.
Our analysis of common shelving EQs has shown that one of the most important differences
in the sound of the shelving EQ is the response around the band immediately below the HF
section (and above the LF section). Many of the most loved classical EQs have a degree of
‘undershoot’ in this region (when in boost), either by design or as a result of circuit
limitations in legacy units. Therefore most units can be characterised by control within this
region of the frequency response. In appreciation of the importance of this parameter, the
Oxford EQ provides the facility to modify the response in this region, and so provide
differing styles of shelving EQ.