What do the numbers on a equalizer represent?

Answer 1

"The numbers on an equalizer represent the differences all people around the world have from each other. The equalizer itself represents the world we live in, and demonstrates how people can get along in perfect harmony, despite being completely different. Just like life, not all equalizer combinations are pleasant, and there's no one right way to make things work. But, with a little effort and patience, one can always find perfect balance." Say whaaat?

An equalizer, as a component of mixing or playing back music, is an electronic method of controlling the gain (boost) or loss (cut) of a given bandwidth of frequencies.

Audio bandwidth is generally considered to be between 20 Hz (which is very low, mostly felt instead of heard and represents the low bass), and 20,000 Hz or 20 kHz (which is very high frequency). It is what we can hear normally, with the human ear.

Each knob or slider switch is labeled with the particular bandwidth that the switch controls. If you have 3 equalization switches, the bandwidth is large for each switch. If you have 10 switches, the bandwidth is smaller and you have more control of the separate frequencies.

Each switch is also labeled with a zero, which when set at "0", applies NO boost nor cut for that frequency. On either side of the "0" the switch is marked with numbers, usually 1 through 12, and either a negative "-" or a positive "+" symbol. The switch, when set to negative numbers, "cut" or reduce the volume of that frequency. The positive numbers "boost" that frequency.

Equalization is used to fine tune a musical recording to enhance the sound. It depends on the recording itself, your ears, and the speakers and room acoustics.