Surprisingly, the simpler the seemingly question, the more difficult it is to get an answer to it. Since it is obvious, nobody is in a hurry to consider it. One of these questions asked at thematic forums is “what is the best way to adjust the equalizer”. Moreover, this topic is so comprehensive that it covers both computer multimedia equipment and individual audio devices, and is interesting for both beginners and experienced users. In this paper, we will consider one of the special cases - how to properly set up the equalizer in the environment of the Windows operating system.
Back in 2008, in a computer store, I purchased an audio adapter (sound card) of the well-known Creative company called Audigy 4. The reason for this purchase is simple: the sound of a “penny” solution based on a morally obsolete AC97 codec did not suit the motherboard. Of course, it was impossible to say that the sound was like from a barrel, but one could not recall the high quality and enjoyment of listening to audio compositions. Apart from being a gourmet in sound technology, I did not really want to listen to “this”. It was decided to look for the answer to the question “how to set up the equalizer” on the forums.
Sound is an oscillation of air of a certain frequency. Frequent fluctuations (up to 20 thousand hertz) are perceived as sonorous, and rare, up to 16 hertz inclusive, as deaf. Accordingly, the name: high and low frequencies. The middle range is located between them. If some frequencies are not expressed in the composition, then the sound seems incomplete. This is affected by: the quality of the speakers and the audio card, as well as the perception of the listener. Component developers have long realized that you can change everything except the ears ...
It was proposed to programmatically selectively amplify the desired frequencies. Therefore, you need to know how to adjust the equalizer. It is built into each player and is additionally contained in the driver installed for the device.
Obviously, it makes no sense to give advice on how to adjust the equalizer, because one person likes the predominance of high frequencies, and the other, on the contrary, low frequencies. A friend of mine specially cleaned the low ones, and amplified the voiced ones, as a result, the sound cut through my ears like a knife, but he liked it. Here it is - an individual perception.
So how to adjust the equalizer? Most often, the procedure is performed according to the following scheme: it is better to do this in the driver settings, because in this case the sound in all applications will be adjusted.
Owners of the popular HD Audio solution can easily set up the equalizer: in the taskbar next to the clock there is a brown speaker icon (not a system white one). We go into the properties and get into the driver settings. Equalizer sliders are below the window for selecting the environment. We turn on the composition and begin to shift them up one by one.
First, the rightmost slider (high) is shifted up to the limit. Then, if necessary, the second on the right, but only half. If there are enough voiced, then we strengthen the low frequencies: up the leftmost, then the previous one. Usually there is no need to adjust the midrange: the thing is that even the cheapest speakers reproduce them well. Equalizer presets and environmental effects are best left out. I repeat, because of the characteristics of hearing, each person will have their own settings.
You can help the equalizer if you set a higher sampling rate. On the speaker icon, press the right button and go to the "Playback devices". We highlight the default device with the cursor and call its properties. In an additional section, set the default format to high. Sometimes in this way it is possible to make the sound cleaner and louder. If the effect is the opposite (also possible), then we restore these settings.
By the way, if anyone is interested: after purchasing Audigy, the need to adjust the sound with an equalizer, as it was on AC97, disappeared. And considering that this is a 2005 card, you can only guess about the sound quality of modern full-fledged solutions (not speakers and HDs).