parametric vs graphic EQ

  • Thread starter Thread starter dobro
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dobro

dobro

Well-known member
I'm getting into EQ these days. Here's what I find - parametric is good for dealing with a particular frequency that's making the sound ugly - find the problem by sweeping, experiment with the Q a bit, and cut it anywhere up to 6 dB. Graphic is for dealing with broader frequency issues, like lower end shelving, for example, or bumping up the whole midrange 1 dB or so.

Comments?
 
The only time I use a graphic at all (so far!) is to alter the signal pre-reverb. Cutting low-end to thin out the sound but improve clarity, or boosting low-end to thicken it...

Other than that, parametric's it for me!

Bruce
 
I have found very little use for a graphic eq in the studio. Usually, a parametric, with 2 or 3 mid band, FULL PAEAMETRIC, with a low and high shelf if fine enough for a decently recorded track.

Working live though, I find the graphic to be very appropriate. I seldom need more than a 1/3 or an octave to cut/boost, and a 31 band graphic eq works well for this.

Two different babies for two different purposes. If I HAD to choose between the two for either live of studio work, the parametric would win hands down because of the simple fact that most of them are capable of down to 1/10 of an octave accuracy, and THAT is very useful for taming errands frequencies, even in a live situation.

Ed
 
A graphic EQ just has too many options... like say a 31 band EQ. I mean gosh, that gives you a lot of options ...which isn't necessarily "bad," but you can only adjust one or two frequencies at a time.. it just seems too meticulous... On the other hand, the parametric EQ has quicker results.

Isaiah
 
I can't add to Bruce and Ed's comments,and I do agree parametric is way more versatile cause you zero in on the specific freq. without affecting nearby notes.

Tom
 
Tom - There is essentially no difference between a parametric and graphic eq in it's ability to concentrate on a specific frequency except that often parametrics will allow a bit better than 1/3 octave accuracy. Parametrics are just a lot faster if you want to effect a broad range of frequencies, but the graphic is can do this just as effectively in it's application, just takes a bit longer to perform.

Ed

ahhhhhh....colors now....this will be cool....:)
 
What might even be a better option is the Paragraphic..

You select the Q type for each band...meaning on Band 1 you could have a High Pass...Band 2 could be a notch...etc etc...a good example of this would be the Q10 by Waves...
 
On the EQs (like in CW) where it has a line above (or on the side) of the controls that gives you a visual of what the EQ frequencies look like and you can adjust the Q, Freq, and volume; is that a paragraphic? Because I was under the impression that a parametric is where you just move the knobs but don't get a visual of what it's going to look like, and that a paragraphic combines the visual of the graphic and the flexibility of the parametric. Or is a paragraphic just a graphic with a variable Q control on each band?


Oooooooo look at all dem purty colors, coooooooooool!!! :D
 
Hey Tekker,

The EQ in Cakewalk is not considered paragraphic.

The simplest meaning of paragraphic would be a a graphic
eq with parametric features.

Graphic eq is normally the frequency spectrum from 0 to 20k
divided into 6 or more equally divided bands with a fixed bell curve.

Parametric normally 3 Bands whereas you can vary the freq
and with some vary the Q or bell curve.

Paragrahic you have your 6 or more bands as standard frequnecies but you can change the frequency of each band and you can als0 change the Q or Bell curve or even filter type..Notch, High pass Low pass, etc..

Check out the Waves Q10 and the XFX plug in from Sonic Foundry
these are very flexible and versatile. I would give the edge to the
Waves Q10 as far as sound goes..
 
"A graphic EQ just has too many options... like say a 31 band EQ. I mean gosh, that gives you a lot of options ...which isn't necessarily "bad," but you can only adjust one or two frequencies at a time.."

Prism - in my software, I have a 31-band graphic EQ, but I can adjust as many as I like, which is what I've been playing around with, boosting 20 bands in a row by one or two dB, for instance, to bring out mids and highs in a case where cutting the lows just isn't quite enough. I've played around with cutting everything below 60 Hz to zero, as another example. I use it to create a frequency response? like the charts you see of a mic's frequency response, which will be flat for a long while, and then suddenly boost somewhere along the spectrum. I mean, why not?
 
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