Use a Car Audio Graphic Equalizer
A car audio graphic equalizer enhances the frequencies of sound. Graphic equalization is used to "bring out the full-frequency spectrum of the musical performance," according to autos.com. "It improves clarity and spatial separation, allowing the listener to better hear every instrument and voice." Depending on the type of music and the speakers, the graphic equalizer can greatly improve the quality and enjoyment of the car audio experience. Many graphic equalizers have presets for certain genres of music.
Instructions
1. Begin by setting the graphic equalizer flat. If you have knobs for the bass, treble and midrange settings, set them at the 12 o'clock position. If the bass, treble and midrange settings are adjusted by pressing a button and shown on a digital display, set them at zero. Refer to your owner's manual as to set these levels.
2. Set the balance level at zero. This controls the level of sound that is panned to the left and right side of the car. Set the fader control at zero. This controls the level of sound through the rear and front speakers of the car.
3. Choose a CD, MP3 or radio station you wish to listen to and match the genre to your graphic equalizer. For example, if you select a Miles Davis CD, use the "jazz" preset. This will bring out the sound of the bass and ensure the treble is not too high. Most graphic equalizers require you to repeatedly press an "EQ" button to move through the various presets. Set a custom equalizer setting by programming the bass, treble and midrange settings and save them as a preset. Refer to your owner's manual for information on selecting a preset or creating a custom preset.
4. Adjust the graphic equalizer to correct any undesirable tonal variations in the music. For example, if the music sounds too deep or the bass is distorted, manually adjust the bass control to reduce it. If the low frequencies are difficult to hear, increase the bass setting. If the sound is brittle or harsh, it may have too much treble, so reduce this setting. If the music sounds thin, it may need more midrange. If the sound is muddy, reduce the bass and increase the treble. If your car equalizer has a set of faders, begin by setting them flat and gradually increase them. The bass faders are at the left, mids in the center and the treble at the right. A typical setting for these is a "V" shape.
5. Experiment by altering each frequency a small amount and listen for improvements.
When initially adjusting the equalizer, listen to the same song or piece of music so you can clearly hear the difference your adjustments have made. Changing the radio station or song may require adjusting the graphic equalizer, depending on the recording level or the genre of music.
Tags: graphic equalizer, bass treble, bass treble midrange, midrange settings, treble midrange
