Engineering Brief
Evolving the Audio Equalizer
AES Convention 143 · Paper 369 · October 2017
Abstract
Current audio equalization techniques include Shelf, Parametric, and Graphic Equalizers. Each have inherent issues: dynamic spectrum input and the degradation of signal-to-noise ratio. The input spectrum is not static; yet, all the current equalizations are. To be effective, equalization must be dynamic, “tracking” the input signal spectrum. In the case of SNR, output noise is increased when no signal is present in the spectral band when adding gain. In an evolution of equalization, with input tracking capability, signal spectral components are identified and equalized; all other spectrum may be considered as noise and can be attenuated. The evolution of audio equalizers has progressed that negates the stated issues. Its implementation is realized in the Harmonic Tracking Equalizer (HTEq).
