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Custom EQ Curve

RichardBlytheRichardBlythe Posts: 15
edited January 2011 in PA General Discussion
Is there a way to add a custom target curve for the Auto-Eq? In every venue we've played at, after running the Auto-Eq wizard, I've had to decrease the mids around the 800 hz range.

We have a Mackie 1604 VLZ mixer that seems to crank out an unnatural level of mids. It would be nice to create a preset to compensate for this constant issue. As a thought, is there a way to route pink noise through the mixer? That way the speakers would broadcast the natural frequencies being emitted by the mixer.

Comments

  • DraDra Posts: 3,777
    Do you have a baseline for your speakers (the tried and true outdoor method, or from the newer indoor method)? If you have, do you also have to make a big cut in your mids? In other words, it might be your speakers and not every room you play. If your mixer is coloring the input that much, you got a major problem.

    DRA
  • GadgetGadget Posts: 4,915
    Hi,
    Sure...it's very simple in fact. What I usually do is set up a PEQ @ 180hz (roughly, and it's easy to move) 500 hz (with a fairly wide Q that covers a lot of the midrange room affect that you speak of) and another @ about 3k5 or even a high shelf.

    Since you have been already using the Auto Eq, have you set up a flat response eq curve yet? This would tell you for sure if it's the mixer or the room doing the damage... OR if it's a midrange buildup mode that happens a lot indoors...(I usually find modes anywhere between 250 and 800 hz)

    Which driverack do you have? If it's the PA+ then you have the better auto EQ algorithm, but mic placement is important where measurement is concerned, and if your placing the mic on a stand... well that's a bad thing.

    We have found a number of techniques that work well, and have placed them into our FAQ section.
    viewforum.php?f=60

    Within these you will find these:
    viewtopic.php?f=60&t=953&p=3649#p3649
    viewtopic.php?f=60&t=2346&p=12855#p12855

    Here is a download-able test CD that has pink noise:
    viewtopic.php?f=60&t=1202

    And a LOT of other optimization tips and tricks.

    Gadget
  • Thanks for the info! I know what PEQ is but what are you referring to by "setting up" a PEQ? Are you saying that I can create an eq setting that will not be effected by the Auto-Eq wizard?

    When I make changes in the "EQ" menu, they are always altered by the Auto-EQ wizard. I need something that will not be affected by the Auto-EQ wizard.
  • GadgetGadget Posts: 4,915
    Sure... just do the Auto to flatten the system then go into the PEQ section, you have 3 Peq'a on the Hi outs and 2 on each of the mid and low outs.

    By setting up a PEQ I mean:
    1. Turn the PEQ section on and decide if you want (on the hi's) two Bell and one shelf or all bell curves.. If you want all bell's (the default is shelf) simply toggle to the bottom of the first screen and change the Shelf to a bell.

    The difference between a shelf and a bell is.. look at it like 1/2 of a bell, with a beginning frequency and a slope, as opposed to a center frequency and a Q.

    I suggest leaving the shelf and 2 PEQ's...

    2. Select PEQ1, adjust the frequency to 180 hz, (it will probably be like 178, or 187 or whatever) then select the "Q" and set it @ about 4.0 (pretty narrow) We don't know what exact frequency or amount of cut till we start working in the room... the frequency might end up closer to 120 hz or even higher than 180...

    3. Next select PEQ 2 and set it @ 500hz and select a Q of 1.0 or so (fairly broad) here again we aren't sure where the center freq or cut will end up till working with the room.

    4. and finally Peq 3 using the shelf, set the frequency @ 5K and the slope@ 6dB per octave.

    Subs would be 60 hz Q= 5.0-6.0 (narrow) and about 100 hz Q= 4.0 to 5.0... again the exact center frequency and cut are yet to be determined...

    If you need to Re- Eq for some reason, turn the PEQ's off before you do the pass..

    Why not download the GUI and play with it...Insert the 260 ...It will help you see graphically what your doing...

    Gadget
  • Okay....that helps a lot. So if I understood correctly, I can turn the PEQ off during Auto-EQ and it won't be affected? That's great!! I'll try that tonight.
  • GadgetGadget Posts: 4,915
    yup :mrgreen:
  • I'm floating on a cloud right now! I figured out how to set up the PEQ like you said. Yesterday I used it in a big venue and it worked awesome!

    Gadget, go buy you a steak dinner on me :D
  • GadgetGadget Posts: 4,915
    Done deal!! :mrgreen:
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