GEQ

GEQ stands for graphic equalizer, an audio equalizer that provides a visual representation of its frequency shaping. It consists of a bank of fixed-frequency bands, each with a slider to boost or cut the level of that band. By adjusting multiple sliders, a user can contour the tonal balance or address room-related issues.

Most GEQs are analog devices, though digital GEQs are common in DSPs and consumer receivers. Configurations typically include 10, 15, or 31 bands, with center frequencies spaced in 1/3-octave or 1/2-octave steps across roughly 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Each band’s gain is usually adjustable within a fixed range, often ±12 to ±15 dB.

GEQs are used in live sound, broadcasting, studio monitoring, and car audio to compensate for acoustic anomalies, reduce feedback, or tailor sound to a room or listener. They are commonly used in combination with other EQ types, such as parametric EQs or shelving filters, to achieve a desired balance.

Limitations include phase shifts and potential transient coloration from multiple filters. Overuse, especially wide boosts, can lead to clipping or listener fatigue. Effective use relies on measurement, modest adjustments, and A/B comparison with and without EQ.

Compared with parametric EQs, GEQs use fixed center frequencies and Q values. Digital implementations may offer broader processing options, but the basic graphic interface remains a visual guide to spectral shaping.