Rane PEQ 55 Operator's Manual

Manual-

PEQ 55

PARAMETRIC EQUALIZER

OPERATORS MANUAL

WEAR PARTS: This product contains no wear parts.

Quick Start

Everyone knows how to use a parametric equalizer, right? 

You set the filter GAIN to its maximum and turn the FRE-

QUENCY 

control until you find a pesky resonance that, when 

excited by a few extra dB, fries your speaker or causes hearing 

damage. There, problem solved. What did you say?

Connect the PEQ’s Inputs and Outputs to virtually any type 

of audio device using XLR, ¼" TRS or Euroblock connectors. 

You may use any combination of Outputs simultaneously if 

desired, but don’t try to save a few bucks by plugging multiple 

sources into the Inputs and expecting them to mix — they 

won’t. It will simply sound bad and no amount of EQ will fix 

it. Polarity convention on the XLR jacks is pin 2 positive, pin 3 

negative and pin 1 shield (chassis ground).

With the wiring out of the way it’s time to polish your 

golden ears and start making adjustments. Fire up some music 

and adjust the input and output LEVELs for good headroom 

and optimum signal-to-noise. Always heed the OL (overload) 

indicator! And check to make sure the channel BYPASS/EQ and 

individual filter BYPASS switches are properly engaged, and that 

the FREQUENCY multiplier switch (x0.1, x1, x10) is in the 

desired position.

Filter bands A1 and B1 feature a switchable LOW SHELF 

response. Bands A5 and B5 feature a switchable HIGH SHELF 

Contents

Quick Start ................................................................................................................................................................1

Controls and Operation ...........................................................................................................................................2

Rear Panel Connections ...........................................................................................................................................4

Applications ..............................................................................................................................................................4

   Dual Mono 5-Band Operation ..............................................................................................................................4

   Linked Stereo 5-Band Operation..........................................................................................................................5

   Mono or Linked Stereo 10-Band Operation ........................................................................................................5

   Inserting the PEQ 55 on an Instrument Channel or Group Output ...................................................................6

   Using the A / B Controls to Switch Between Two Different EQ Settings ...........................................................6

PEQ 55 Settings Templates ......................................................................................................................................7

Additional Resources ...............................................................................................................................................8

response. Further flavor the mix using the channel TONE con-

trols and CUT FILTERS.

The PEQ’s A/B switches are an especially unique feature. 

Understand their use and you’ll unlock some of the device’s ana-

log-controlled digital magic. Misunderstand their use and you’re 

in for a few surprises. Repeat after me: either audio channel can 

follow either set of filters, as set by the A/B switch.

For example, in normal dual 5-BAND mode set the top row 

switch to A (the Left channel), and the bottom row switch to B 

(the Right channel). These switches also affect the CUT FIL-

TERS

, TONE controls and LEVELS.

Or perhaps you want to equalize both sides of a stereo system 

identically using one set of controls. Set both switches to A and 

now the top row of filters controls both audio channels. Set both 

switches to B and use the bottom row of filters to create a totally 

different EQ curve. Do an A/B comparison of the two curves by 

toggling the (you guessed it) A/B switches. Try doing that with 

an analog EQ.

Need more filters? Switch to 10-BAND mode and you now 

have ten fully overlapping filters to use on a stereo or mono 

source. The outputs mute momentarily when switching between 

5-

 and 10-BAND modes.