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How to Use EQ Midshift

When playing live music, sound can often be perceived as something different according to the environment or setting in which it is played, even if the instruments themselves are set to the exact same specifications. For this reason, most instruments and gear with electrical signals come equipped with EQ, or equalization, options. Mid-shift refers to the middle range of frequencies that can be adjusted and the ability to instantly move or shift them according to your needs. Some electric-acoustic guitars, amps and bass amps have mid-shift buttons. Other electric instruments may have adjustable knobs and levers.

Things You'll Need

  • Instrument with electric signal
  • Microphone (optional)
  • Computer (optional)
  • Recording software (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1
      Electric-acoustic guitars will have a miniature equalization panel attached to the preamp on the guitar body.

      Press the mid-shift button on your instrument or amplifier. This will middle change the range of frequencies you are boosting or lowering by about 500 kilohertz. For example, in one room, you may have to select the lower of the two frequencies to boost or reduce in order to receive a pleasing signal from your instrument. But in another room, this may sound displeasing and you may have to shift the equalizing of the middle signal to the higher of the two frequencies.

    • 2
      If your instrument is connected directly to a mixer, you will not be able to shift the frequencies you adjust.

      Mic an instrument that has no electric signal. To shift the middle frequencies that will be equalized, you must run the microphone through a computer and have audio editing software.

    • 3
      Creating an audio track will allow you to visualize and edit what you hear.

      Open the software and create a new audio track for your instrument. This track should be created as "mono," and its input should match the input of the interface or other device that the computer is connected to.

    • 4
      Computers generally allow for the highest-quality sound equalization, but they are not practical for every setting.

      Plug in an equalizer with multiple bands. You can drag, or shift, each band, including the highest and lowest bands, to any frequency you wish to edit. While this method takes much more time and effort, it gives you a greater amount of freedom to choose the exact way your instrument will sound. It also allows you to equalize microphoned instruments and instruments with electric signals.

    • 5
      High-quality amplifiers will have several knobs for shifting, booting and reducing frequencies. Some even allow you to plug in micro-phoned instruments to avoid using a computer.

      Verify that your track is record-enabled if your audio-editing program requires that to transmit its signal to your output devices, such as speakers and sub-woofers.

    • 6
      The most commonly shifted frequencies of many instruments are the middle and high-middle frequencies.

      Play your instrument and adjust the computer's equalization settings until you are pleased with what you hear. The most commonly shifted frequencies of many instruments are the middle and high-middle frequencies.

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