Why do equalizers have more detail at 1khz and 2khz?

[armans]

I understand that our ears are sensitive in this range so eq moves in this region might need more surgical treatment than in other regions of the spectrum. Is this why the EQ has more magnification in this region compared to the other mid range frequencies? Can someone please give me some practical examples of this? In mixes what are some common boosts and cuts in this region that would not be possible or as easy if the EQ was just the same all the way up the spectrum. In other words, How does this magnified portion of the EQ frequency spectrum help us mix engineers.

[Wonks]

I don't understand what you are getting at.

Mid frequency EQ is often parametric or semi-parametric, so the frequency isn't fixed.

What particular EQ? Have you a specific example of what you are talking about?

[Wonks]

If you are talking about frequency response graphs and displays, then the X axis is logarithmic to take into account frequency doubling for octaves.

If the frequency axis (X-axis) was linear, then the upper octave of hearing, 10kHz to 20kHz, would take up half the display, whilst the bottom octave, 20Hz to 40Hz, would take up just 1000th of the display and be unreadable.

[Arpangel]

On mixers with really good EQ sections, that is, ones that actually do something useful, my experience has been that some EQ's, fixed ones are "right on" the frequencies that matter, like, in a mix, you turn up the mid range, and it’s almost like you’re turning up the volume of the vocal, or, boosting the volume of the bass guitar for example, you can use a parametric for this, but I find it too fiddly, I’d much rather have a very good "fixed" four band.

[ef37a]

Well they don't Armans! Not at least if you look at the curves for the classic Baxandall 'tone control' style EQ. The frequency response ROTATES about a mid frequency, most often 1kHz (but others have been used) and
when the control is at extreme boost or cut at LF and HF the level at 1kHz is hardly changed, at 2kHz there will still be minimal lift or cut.

But as Wonks tells us, there are many other forms of EQ. Notch or peaking at any frequency you like and the development of digital EQ in even the most basic of DAWs means you have access to EQ that would cost you a good S/H car to implement in hardware.

As ever, Self's "Small Signal Audio Design" will give you a very good grounding in matters EQ and with virtually no maths.

Dave.

[armans]

I don't understand what you are getting at.

Mid frequency EQ is often parametric or semi-parametric, so the frequency isn't fixed.

What particular EQ? Have you a specific example of what you are talking about?

Sorry, maybe I wasnt clear at first but you answered the question anyway... well done!. It seemed to me as though 1khz to 2khz in my EQ analyzer has as much width as 500Hz to 1khz on the analyzer. I thought that there was more definition in this 1khz to 2khz region. My mistake. The X axis is logarithmic as you put it and it only looked this way but going up the spectrum it keeps getting more "compact"

[Wonks]

That's it. Each octave takes up the same width on the display.