Alan Parsons EQ Quiz

The length of the guitarist's hair, day of the week, and alignment of the moon are unrelated factors that do not have any impact on the electric guitar tone. However, pick-up selection and microphone positioning are crucial factors that can significantly alter the electric guitar tone. The pick-up selection determines the type of sound produced by the guitar, while microphone positioning affects the way the sound is captured and amplified. Therefore, these two factors play a vital role in shaping the electric guitar tone.

Recording 'Flat' means applying no EQ during recording. This means that the audio is captured in its natural state without any alterations or enhancements made to the frequency response. By not applying any EQ during recording, the sound is preserved exactly as it is, allowing for more flexibility and control in post-production when applying EQ or other effects if desired. This approach ensures a clean and unaltered recording, providing a blank canvas for further processing and mixing.

To get to know the tonal character of a studio you've never used before, bringing a CD of music that you know well or your own monitor speakers would be the best option. By playing familiar music or using your own speakers, you can compare the sound quality and tonal characteristics to what you are already familiar with. This will help you gauge the studio's sound reproduction capabilities and make informed decisions about how to work with the equipment available.

Sound is created by pressure changes of varying frequency moving air in 'waves'. When an object vibrates, it causes the surrounding air particles to vibrate as well. These vibrations create pressure waves that travel through the air. The frequency of the vibrations determines the pitch of the sound, while the amplitude of the waves determines the volume. So, sound is essentially the result of these pressure changes in the air that propagate as waves.

Frequency is a measure of how many cycles or vibrations occur in a given time period. It is commonly measured in Herz (Hz) or cycles per second. This unit represents the number of complete cycles or vibrations that occur in one second. Therefore, the correct answer is Herz (Hz) or Cycles per second.

The given options are all types of EQ except for Barry Manilow. Barry Manilow is a singer and not a type of EQ.

Notch filtering refers to the process of removing a very narrow band of frequencies from a signal. It is commonly used to eliminate unwanted interference or specific frequencies that may cause distortion or noise in audio or radio signals. This technique involves creating a notch or deep null in the frequency response at the targeted frequency, effectively suppressing it while allowing other frequencies to pass through unaffected.

Cutting frequencies in the range of 200-400 Hz will remove the indistinct 'wooly' sound. This range is known for producing muddiness and a lack of clarity in audio. By reducing these frequencies, the audio will become clearer and more defined, eliminating the wooly sound.

As Alan moves further away from the sea, the volume of the breaking sea waves decreases. This can be attributed to the fact that sound waves spread out and become less intense as they travel through the air. Additionally, the amount of high frequency content also decreases. High frequency sounds have shorter wavelengths and are more easily absorbed by the air and other obstacles, resulting in a decrease in their intensity as Alan moves away from the source of the waves.

Alan suggests removing a 'boomy' sound in the bass guitar by making a cut in the 50-100Hz range. This means reducing the volume or attenuating the frequencies within that specific range. By doing so, the excessive low-end frequencies that contribute to the boomy sound will be reduced, resulting in a cleaner and more balanced bass guitar sound.

Mr P suggests that the main 'body' of the kick drum is in the 40 - 250 Hz range. This means that the majority of the sound produced by the kick drum, which gives it its depth and resonance, can be found within this frequency range. The lower frequencies in this range contribute to the thump and punch of the kick drum, while the higher frequencies add clarity and definition to the sound.

The correct answer is (Frequency selection), (cut or boost) and (bandwidth (or 'Q'). In a Parametric EQ, these three controls are commonly found. Frequency selection allows the user to choose which frequency band to adjust, cut or boost control determines whether to reduce or increase the level of that frequency band, and bandwidth (or 'Q') control determines the width of the frequency band being adjusted. These controls are essential for precise and targeted equalization of audio signals.

A 'Low Pass Filter' is a type of audio filter that allows low-frequency signals to pass through while attenuating high-frequency signals. In the context of removing high frequency 'Hiss' from guitar amplifiers, a low pass filter can be used to cut off the higher frequencies that contribute to the hissing sound, resulting in a cleaner and less noisy audio signal. By selectively filtering out the high frequencies, the filter helps to remove unwanted noise and improve the overall sound quality of the guitar amplifier.

Alan Parsons recommends adding attack to a bass guitar by emphasizing frequencies in the mid frequency range of 1-3 KHz. This range is known to enhance the clarity and definition of the bass guitar, allowing it to cut through the mix and be more audible in a musical arrangement. By boosting these frequencies, the attack and presence of the bass guitar can be improved, resulting in a more articulate and impactful sound.

Passive refers to a circuit or device that does not require an external power supply to operate. In the case of the 'Pultec EQP1', being a passive tone control means that it does not need an external power supply as its circuits do not contain any amplifiers. Therefore, it does not actively alter or amplify the tone of a signal but rather allows for subtle adjustments to the frequency response.

Checking the effects of EQ on a mix using headphones is important because a large percentage of the listening public have portable MP3/iPod music players. Since these devices are commonly used for listening to music, it is crucial to ensure that the mix sounds good and balanced when played through headphones. By checking the mix on headphones, one can ensure that it will translate well to the common listening devices and provide a good listening experience for a wide audience.

The frequency range of 1-3 KHz covers the characteristic of the 'Click' of the beater, which refers to the transient 'snap' sound produced by the kick drum. This frequency range captures the sharp attack and initial impact of the beater hitting the drumhead, creating a distinct clicking sound.

A 'Noise Gate' could be utilized as a dynamic effect in addition to notch filtering in the mid range to eliminate 'ringing' in a snare. A noise gate is a device that cuts off or reduces the volume of a signal below a certain threshold, effectively eliminating unwanted noise or ringing when the snare is not being played. This can help to clean up the sound and make it more focused and precise.

Alan suggests that the frequency range of 8 - 10 KHz affects the balance of cymbals in the overheads. This range is referred to as the 'air' range, which means it captures the high-frequency components that give the cymbals their shimmering and bright sound. By picking up these frequencies, the overhead mics can accurately reflect the overall sound of the drum kit, including the cymbals.

The frequency response in audio equipment refers to how faithfully the recorded sound is reproduced by the equipment. It describes the range of frequencies that the equipment can accurately reproduce, without distorting or altering the original sound. A wider frequency response indicates that the equipment can reproduce a broader range of frequencies, resulting in a more accurate and faithful reproduction of the original sound.

Equalisation, or EQ, was initially used to compensate for the low quality of telephone communications. By adjusting the frequency response of the audio signal, EQ can enhance certain frequencies and compensate for the deficiencies in the telephone system, resulting in improved audio quality during telephone conversations.

Mr. Parsons removes 'Popping' from his vocal by using a 'High Pass filter' to remove bass. A high pass filter allows the high frequency sounds to pass through while cutting off the low frequency sounds. By removing the bass frequencies, which are often associated with popping sounds, Mr. Parsons can eliminate the unwanted popping from his vocal recordings.

Boosting an EQ between about 7.5 - 10 KHz can improve the 'snap' or 'crack' of the snare sound. This frequency range is known to enhance the attack and presence of the snare drum, which can make it sound sharper and more defined. By boosting this range, the high-frequency content of the snare is emphasized, resulting in a more pronounced and crisp sound.

The resonant 'depth' of a snare is typically found at a lower frequency range, around 100 Hz. This is because the depth refers to the low-end or bass frequencies that are produced by the snare drum. These lower frequencies contribute to the overall tone and character of the snare sound, providing a fuller and deeper resonance. Higher frequencies, such as 300 Hz, 1 KHz, and 10 KHz, are more associated with the attack and brightness of the snare sound rather than its depth.