Alesis DEQ230D User Manual

Basics of Equalization 

  

If  you're not already there, exit to Program mode by using the 

[LINK/EXIT] button. Then select program 00 on the DEQ230 

by pressing the [DOWN] and [UP] buttons at the same time.  

 

Program 00 is a "flat" program, and it's easy to see why it's called 

that: the gain setting for every band is 0 dB. Calling up this 

program is almost the same as pressing the Bypass button, in that 

the audio passing through the unit will not be equalized in any way. 

Of  course, the difference is that you can edit the program and hear 

the changes that you make. If  you don't already know what kind 

of  EQ you're looking for, this may be a good place to start. 

 

 

Pressing a [BAND SELECT] button puts the DEQ230 into Edit 

mode. The Numeric LED Display will change from the current 

program number to the gain value in decibels (dB) of  the band 

you just selected. In addition, one of  the Band Gain LEDs above 

that [BAND SELECT] button will start blinking. If  the gain 

value of  that band is 0 dB, the green LED will blink. This means 

there is no gain change occurring in this frequency range. If  it is 

higher or lower than that, one of  the yellow LEDs will blink. This 

indicates that some amount of  cut or boost is happening.  

 

Use the [DOWN/UP] buttons to change the gain value of  that 

band. The [DOWN] button will lower the gain value, or "cut" the 

chosen frequency; the [UP] button will raise the gain value, or 

"boost" the frequency. Pressing both the [DOWN] and [UP] 

buttons at the same time will reset the gain value of  the frequency 

to 0dB. There is an overall range of  +/- 12 dB of  gain change 

available.  

 

Band Solo 

 

The DEQ230 has a handy feature called Band Solo that allows you 

to “isolate” a given frequency while you are editing. This can help 

you determine exactly which band you need to highlight or de-

emphasize. It’s simple to do: 
1.  Select a band by pressing and holding its [BAND SELECT] 

button. 

2. Press 

the 

[UP] button. You’ll see the LED for that band 

jump to +12 dB. 

3. Press 

the 

[DOWN] button. The LED for that band will 

jump to –12 dB. 

4. Release 

the 

[BAND SELECT] button and the value of  that 

band will be unchanged. 

 

This only works with one band at a time, but you’ll find it to be a 

very helpful feature. 

 

To exit Edit mode, press the [LINK/EXIT] button. This will 

return the DEQ230 to Program mode. The same thing will 

happen if  you de-select the single band you have selected.