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4. Low frequency shelving

1

Let’s look at the low frequency shelving band. The EQP-1A low frequency shelf is great for general low end sweetening and you can simply use it in conjunction with the high frequency sweetening we demonstrated on the previous page. 2

A good starting point is to set the frequency to 100Hz and then boost to taste. Unlike the high frequency band, this is a shelving shape with a very gentle slope, so it’s boosting from the mids/low mids. Also, as mentioned, the knob scale is not in dB, so a setting of three is more like a 4dB boost. 3

As discussed, you can boost and cut at the same time on this band, and although you may think this is counterintuitive, the original circuit design means this has an interesting outcome, whereby it scoops out some of the low mids. 4

If you’re not convinced, try loading up a tone generator set to white noise and an analyser, as we have here. We’ve set the Low Frequency to 60Hz and both the Boost and Atten to maximum (10) to clearly demonstrate what happens. Note the 6dB dip at around 600Hz. 5

This behaviour can help us emphasise the bass boost. Load up a bass sound (we’re using a bass guitar) and try setting the frequency to 100Hz. Set the Boost to 3 or 4 then gradually wind up the Atten control. You should hear the mids gradually reduce. 6

We can use the same technique on kicks. This time start with the 60Hz setting and wind up the gain – we’ve set ours to 5. Now increase the gain attenuation control to taste. This can help achieve a more focused kick sound.