Many are used to thinking that sound quality depends on the characteristics of the speakers themselves directly, and the more expensive the speakers, the better the sound. But this is not so. The article will focus on the equalizer. Who does not know, the equalizer is a program or a device for flexible sound settings. Of course, this is not a complete definition, but we will talk about this later in the text.
Definition
The timbral block, EQ, equalizer are all one and the same. The definition sounds like this: this is a program or a device designed to raise or lower the volume of various areas of the frequency range of sound. The equalizer is able to equalize the entire amplitude of the frequencies and the characteristic of the signal itself as a whole. It is important to know that this program or device only works with an audio signal and corrects it selectively, depending on the selected frequency.
This definition is complex and it is difficult for the average user to understand the whole point, so now in simple words. An equalizer is a program (in this case) that works with individual frequencies of sound. As you know, there are low frequencies and high frequencies . Low - this is bass, high - falsetto, or as it is also called - squeak. So, the equalizer can lower or increase the volume of these areas. But sound can be divided not only into two frequencies, it is divided into n frequencies. So the equalizer has several bands, an eight-band version is more common.
Most often this program is used in the audio industry, but now let's talk about how it can help an ordinary person.
Equalizer Types
I want to say right away that there are two types of equalizers, but they perform the same function - they change the volume of a separate range of sound frequencies.
So, first, let's talk about the parametric equalizer. This type is never present in the standard set of programs for a PC or phone, but you can download it from the Internet if you wish. It differs in that there is a setting for the bandwidth. That is, you can choose a separate piece of frequencies in the sound yourself and then work with it. Basically, the work proceeds in exactly the same way as in all other types.
Now we will pass to that type which you will meet everywhere - it is graphic type. It always has fixed frequency bands in its functionality. You cannot select the range that you need. However, this type of equalizer is used most often. The bottom line is that there are many options for it. The simplest is a three-way. It allows you to adjust the bass, squeak and midrange. It can be found on almost all devices, but it is not fully effective.
As you might guess, the more bands - the more flexible the sound becomes. So, currently the maximum number of bands is 31. But such equalizers are most often used in recording studios, and in everyday life they are not needed.
On PCs and devices, you can often find five-band equalizers. They do not load unnecessary settings and allow you to work with sound to the fullest.
Equalizer on Windows
Initially, we started a conversation about how to improve the sound quality of speakers. We return to this topic. So, let's say you bought the most expensive speakers that were sold in the store, and when you came home and connected them, you did not even hear the difference compared to the past. Do not rush to despair, first open the equalizer and turn the knobs, you yourself will hear how the sound changes. Now in more detail.
Windows Media Player
The equalizer for Windows can be found in two places: in Windows Media Player and directly in the Sound settings. Now we will talk about the first option.
By setting the equalizer for Windows in Media Player, you can only affect the playback of music files in this player. That is, if you run the same file in another player, the sound will be the same as before the changes.
So, you turned on the music or video, after that press the right mouse button and select āAdvanced Featuresā from the menu. Next in the list, click on āGraphic Equalizerā. For Windows 7, this instruction works for one hundred percent.
That, in principle, is all, before your eyes the equalizer is open on the monitor. You can change the position of the sliders and notice the difference in sound, it is also possible to select a preset (Preset), but more on that later. There is no point now telling how to set up an equalizer for Windows, since it is the same in all operating systems. Therefore, now we will talk about how to open it in each of them, and in the end we will analyze in detail how to configure it.
Equalizer in Sound
So, we figured out where to find the equalizer in the first way, but as mentioned above, its setting affects only the Media Player. Now itās worth talking about how to adjust the equalizer for Windows 10 so that the sound changes in all sources. Of course, this method works not only on the "top ten", but also on other Windows operating systems. Just now we will analyze the settings for this particular version.
Initially, you need to get to the āSoundā menu. To do this, go to the "Control Panel". There you need to click on the line āSoundā. Once you have done this, the very menu will open before you. The list will display all audio devices connected to your computer. Select what you need and right-click in the menu, select "Properties".
An additional window with properties will open, go to the tab "Improvements". There will be a combo box, scroll the slider down and put a checkmark in front of the line āEqualizerā (7 Windows means the same actions).
Further in the drop-down list you can select various presets. Each of them will change the sound, you can try them all and stop at what you like. After that, click the "Apply" button and you can close all windows.
As you can see, this method does not allow you to adjust the equalizer yourself, you can only use the templates, but, on the other hand, the effect is on all players.
Outside Programs
It is also possible to download the equalizer for PC. For example, there is a program NeonVisual. By installing it, you can perform flexible tuning of all frequencies, thereby improving the sound of your speakers.
In addition, the program offers a convenient interface. Even an inexperienced user can independently understand all the tricks.
In principle, there are an unimaginable number of similar programs, but it makes no sense to talk about each of them. All of them are similar, and if you know how to use them, then there will be no problems.
Well, in the meantime, we are moving from the Windows operating system to Linux.
Equalizer on Linux
Unfortunately, there is no built-in equalizer on a computer with the Linux operating system installed. But it doesnāt matter, he just waits until you download it from the repository. But more on that later.
Initially, it is worth telling what Pulseaudio is. The fact is that for Linux this is an important thing. This is a sound server, it will allow us to edit the sound streams, or rather, the sound output. But a program is needed to work with it. In this case, you need to download the equalizer to your computer, in the repositories it is called pulseaudio-equalizer.
Based on this information, it becomes clear that you can use various methods to install the equalizer. A package manager or terminal, it's up to you.
If you do not want to delve into the heap of instructions, you can simply open the terminal and enter three commands in turn:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa: nilarimogard / webupd8;
sudo apt-get update;
sudo apt-get install pulseaudio-equalizer.
After that, the cherished equalizer will be installed on your computer. It can be found in the "Menu" - "Audio and Video". Opening it, you will see presets and sliders, but we'll talk about the detailed settings a bit later, now let's move on to the mobile OS.
Equalizer on Android
It's time to find out where to find the equalizer for Android. After all, whatever one may say, phone users are much more likely to listen to music than owners of personal computers.
As can be understood from the above, for Android, the equalizer is a necessary thing. Therefore, now we will figure out where to find it, and how to use it.
Initially, it must be said that the built-in equalizer for "Android" practically does not exist. Sometimes Equalizer software is automatically downloaded bundled with a smartphone. After that, in your player in the menu, an additional line should appear in the menu where you can configure.
But itās better to download a third-party program. There are a huge number of them. There are simple three-way, and there are huge ones - with their own presets and additional functions, for example, reverb. In general, everything is in your hands.
Equalizer on iOS
Unlike Android, on iOS there is no need to download additional programs to customize the sound as you like. There are already built-in features for this. You can find them by going to the settings and selecting āMusicā. Next, put the āSound checkā slider on āEnabledā and click āEqualizerā. This was the first way to change the sound settings.
If the āSound checkā slider is in the on position, the system will automatically capture the dB value of the played song and, if something happens, makes the track quieter. Now there is no need to turn up the volume, if the track has changed to a louder, the system will do it for you.
As for the equalizer, this method is not very good, because you are allowed to use only presets. That is, there is no flexible adjustment of all sound frequencies, but still for inexperienced users this is what you need.
Second way
The second option is to download a more functional audio player, such as TuneShel or Radsone. Already in their settings you can use the equalizer with many bands.
So, if someone does not know how to download and install these applications on their phone, now detailed instructions will be given.
Find the App Store app on your phone and launch it.
Next, at the top of the screen, click on the "Search" section.
In the line for filling, write the name of the program you need and click "Search".
Now you should see the application you were looking for. If this does not happen, check if you entered the name correctly.
Click "Download" in front of the application image.
Wait for the download and installation to finish, then you can use it.
As you can see, downloading another audio player is easy.
How to adjust the equalizer
As mentioned above, presets are often found in equalizers, so to speak, templates. They are very convenient to use. They are very useful when the user does not understand this issue.
To adjust the equalizer in this way, just turn on some song and change the preset one by one until you like the sound of the track being played. As you might guess, this is the easiest option and, of course, to the full extent it will not allow for good sound tuning, so we move on to a more detailed method.
Also, opening the equalizer, you probably noticed the sliders (frequency bands). Someone has only three, while someone can have up to ten. Now let's look at the five-band equalizer setting.
It is important to know that the leftmost slider is responsible for the bass, and the right slider is responsible for the squeak. The other three are something in between. For example, you are listening to a song that attracts you with bass, but for some reason it is simply not audible, but all because the bass and squeak are at the same level, or the bass is lower.
In order to feel the difference, raise the left slider higher until the result suits you. Sometimes this is not enough, the composition becomes fuzzy. For a more flexible setting, go to the second slider on the left and raise or lower it. Once you have decided on its location, go to the squeak - the rightmost slider. Most often, raising it gives a cleaner and more lively sound. But if we consider the example with the track, in which the bass attracts the most attention, then the squeak is not worth raising to the maximum mark. Stop when the singerās voice is clearly legible - that's enough.
If the desired result was not achieved, then go to the second slider on the right and add or lower its volume until you are satisfied with the sound.
Now only the middle slider remains. It fully affects both the bass and the squeak, and setting it up is very simple. Turn it up and down until you like the sound. Thus, you balance the bass and squeak among themselves.
Conclusion
As you can see, the equalizer program is a very useful thing, and if you learn how to use it, the quality of the music being played will increase many times over. The main thing is practice, and over time everything will work out.
The important thing is that you now know where to find the equalizer on the PC and on the phone, and how to configure it. Of course, the presented setting is not so professional, but for a simple user it is suitable, and over time you yourself will understand the principle of the equalizer.