EQing

Non Radio-Specific Audio Ranges for Parametric Equalizer Experimentation

                   
All voices vary, so here are some “ballpark” guidelines for EQing for SSB.Lows: These are usually plus settings on your EQ, the gain levels used may be from 0.5 to about 10 db, be  very careful adjusting beyond a +6 db increase since it introduces very annoying plosives usually referred to as “P-pops”. Do not begin your project by adjusting the very low frequencies! Start at 160 Hz, mentioned next.Low frequencies to try: 44.3 Hz, 56 Hz, 66.2 Hz, 68.6 Hz, 71.8 Hz, 81.2 Hz Bandwidth to try: 1⁄2 to ~1.25 (3/2) Octave

Tip: The radio must be wide bandwidth capable and produce a SSB output envelope of 60 Hz and above to properly create low frequency impact, or it’s simply a waste of energy. If a radio can produce <60 Hz then try adding 44.3, if a radio produces audio to 80 Hz , 66.2, 68.6, 71.8 or 81.2 Hz (and a narrow bandwidth) will have the most effect. But remember, the majority of male human voices never reach 70 Hz in “normal”speech. Some experimenters say the very low frequencies have additive harmonic overtones. Your best results and most manageable frequencies to try are: 68.6 or 71.8 or 81.2 Hz .

Begin your project with a CUT at ~ 160Hz! 

The sound of a “stuffy nose” or congestion is usually in the range of 160 to 215 Hz so begin your EQ project there. CUT 160, 2 octaves (Q=0.667 or 0.7) -6 db. That may be all that is needed to sound great. Often, deeper cuts may be needed, go to -10 or -12 db if necessary. In some cases use less band width (octaves).You may also find 2 narrow cuts work better on some radios. This is microphone, voice and rig dependent. For example: a cut at 166Hz 3⁄4 octave for -12 db & 219Hz for 1 octave -5 db, may just sound better!If this adjustment range doesn’t seem enough to clear said congestion, look at 350+/- to 800 Hz.

Mids: Middle voice frequencies sound best with big cuts. If you cut 160, -10 db for 2 octaves, you can also cut a mid frequency like 647, -10 db for 2 octaves. It could be -6 or less as well, but the cuts are always greater than minus 3 db.

Mid Frequencies ranges to try: 508 Hz, 603 Hz, 647 Hz; BW: 3/4 to 2 octaves

Tip: 647 Hz is usually effective, cuts equaling, or a few db less than your cuts at 160 Hz work well together.

Highs: These are usually plus settings on the EQ. Be careful going beyond +8 db, cut the lows instead to more naturally bring up the highs. A deeper cut at 160 & 647 Hz may add openness and additional detail in this range.

This area can be challenging. We want sparkle and airiness but do not want tearing or brittleness. Our ear shearing high frequencies great when we’re young, but our high frequency response diminishes as we age. Some tend to use too much high frequency energy to try and make it sound right.

High frequencies to try: 2992, 3206, 3597, 3810, 4036, 5140, 6039, 6741

Band width to try: 1⁄2 to ~1.25 Octave (3/2)

Tip: Most rigs with transmit band width limited to under 4 kHz, may benefit very little, if at all, by frequencies beyond 3597. The higher frequencies are included since the latest generation of SDR type radios can be set-up to use them.

EQ Example: F/BW/G 68.6 / 3/2 / +6; 160 / 2 / -6; 647 / 2 / -3; 2992 / 1 /+5; 3597 / 1 / +3.5

Final Note: When using Analog Parametric Equalizers (and multi-band graphic type) approximate the decimal settings

For in-depth ESSB Audio information visit the following web sites:

www.nu9n.com www.w3oz.com www.k6jrf.com www.wz5q.net

As noted elsewhere on this page I use an Elecraft K4D transceiver. This fine rig has many features build in that I used to have outboard devices to sound the way I want in regular "Rag Chew" conversation. Please read the DXing page to see why and how to set your rig up to be efficient for DXing. The K4D, much to the dis-pleasure of the narrow FT8 and CW guys, has a ESSB mode and will run a bandpass over 4K. It also has a small 8 band graphic equalizer. Listed below is my current EQ settings. Try them and let me know what you think. 

 100hz.            -4

 200hz.           -2

400hz.           -4

800hz.           -2

1200hz.        +1

1600hz.       +3

2400hz.       +4

3200hz       +5

Compression at 30

These settings are not good for DX work.