Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site watdaisy.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!watnot!watdaisy!gvcormack From: gvcormack@watdaisy.UUCP (Gordon V. Cormack) Newsgroups: net.audio Subject: equalizers Message-ID: <7351@watdaisy.UUCP> Date: Wed, 17-Jul-85 16:19:53 EDT Article-I.D.: watdaisy.7351 Posted: Wed Jul 17 16:19:53 1985 Date-Received: Thu, 18-Jul-85 02:29:48 EDT Distribution: net Organization: U of Waterloo, Ontario Lines: 30 It is my impression that almost all differences between reasonable quality stereo components can be attributed to differences in frequency response across the audio spectrum. Therefore, I have decided that I should buy a multi-band equalizer. I would like to have answers to two questions: First, what makes and models are recommended and for what reasons? I am interested in at least 1-octave resolution; 1/2 octave would be better if it doesn't cost 10 db more. Second, I don't see how one could possibly calibrate the system by ear. It seems to me that one would want to measure the SPL generated by a known source. The source is (relatively) easy to come by; one can buy or build a tone generator. Once upon a time, I saw a test record with a number of tones on it as well. One can also build a SPL meter with a microphone and a volt meter, but that would measure the frequency response of the microphone more than anything else. Do there exist such meters at reasonable price? If so, where can they be obtained? Alternatively, if I had a known source, I could calibrate my own. Perhaps I am being unfair to calibration by ear. What are normal methods for setting up equalizers by ear? I do not regard listening to my favourite record and diddling it 'till it sounds good acceptable. I can't even do this with the 3 tone controls I have. I have tried from time to time and am sometimes happy for a while, but invariably am happier with them all in the "flat" position. -- Gordon V. Cormack CS Department, University of Waterloo gvcormack@watdaisy.uucp gvcormack%watdaisy@waterloo.csnet