Cello Palette - EV DC-One simulation program settings

[mikebse2a3]

This is a updated and tested simulation program for the EV DC-One that closely mimics the Tone Control section of a Mark Levinson's former company (Cello) product called the "Cello Palette" which was in part designed to address real world issues of recording's having obvious tonal issues.

Please read this Link to the Cello Palette review because it highlights IMO some very important reasons why the ability to EQ is very logical when done properly.

http://www.stereophile.com/solidpreamps/692cello/index.html

Note: The graph showing the bands and their maximum ranges but of course small adjustments would be the proper way to use this method of EQing.

miketn

Here are the PEQ settings for the EV DC-One to simulate the Tone Controls of the Cello Palette

Note: The following filters programed set point of 0db gain will change by the listener depending on the level of tonal adjustment desired for a given recording.

20hz Tone Control: (Type: PEQ) (Freq = 20hz) (Q=1.0) (Gain = 0db)

120hz Tone Control: (Type: PEQ) (Freq = 120hz) (Q=1.0) (Gain = 0db)

500hz Tone Control: (Type: PEQ) (Freq = 500hz) (Q=0.7) (Gain = 0db)

2khz Tone Control: (Type: PEQ) (Freq = 2khz) (Q=0.7) (Gain = 0db)

5khz Tone Control: (Type: PEQ) (Freq = 5khz) (Q=0.9) (Gain = 0db)

20khz Tone Control: (Type: PEQ) (Freq = 20khz) (Q=2.0) (Gain = 0db)

I would suggest reasonable adjustment limitations and so far based on what I have experienced the bands of 20Hz, 120Hz and 20khz should be limited to approximately (+/- 6db) with something around 2db to 4db being more common. The 500Hz , 2kHz and 5kHz will often stay within (+/- 2db) with (1/2 db adjustments being discernable in these bands). On vocal recordings it is really pretty easy to tweek these 3 bands for the best tonal balance and the reproduced image is often improved in a meaningfull way.

Note: Remember this EQ program is best and proprely used when used with subtle adjustments (often for vocals adjustments of +/-1db to +/-2db in the 500hz, 2khz, 5khz bands) and any large increases at the extreme low or high frequencies aren't necessary for any reasonable recording and could damage equipment and/or loudspeakers.

I will post some test results for the EV DC-One using these PEQ settings for references

This: is another tweek I added after forum member Cask05 brought some articles to my attention about room gain. I could easily see a recording being made and the engineer's tonal balance choice being made based on a unique room gain and other variables in the recording studio and even studio monitor system. Also our own rooms unique construction and room gain could easily come into play and after using it I do consider it a very usefull adjustment.

Low-Shelf Filter: Program a filter in the EV DC-One for: (Type LOSLV) (Freq = 100hz) (Slope: 6db/oct) (Gain = 0db)

Note: gain level will be adjusted by listener depending on recording and room needs.

I actually found myself using this more and in preference to the 20Hz and 120Hz PEQs mentioned earlier. For my room and recordings I tried this with I used 100Hz and gains of usually around +2db to +4db maximum for the most realistic reproduction.

[mikebse2a3]

20hz Tone Control: (PEQ Freq = 20hz) (Q=1.0) (Gain = 0db)

[mikebse2a3]

120hz Tone Control: (Type: PEQ) (Freq = 120hz) (Q=1.0) (Gain = 0db)

[mikebse2a3]

500hz Tone Control: (Type: PEQ) (Freq = 500hz) (Q=0.7) (Gain = 0db)

[mikebse2a3]

2khz Tone Control: (Type: PEQ) (Freq = 2khz) (Q=0.7) (Gain = 0db)

[mikebse2a3]

5khz Tone Control: (Type: PEQ) (Freq = 5khz) (Q=0.9) (Gain = 0db)

[mikebse2a3]

20khz Tone Control: (Type: PEQ) (Freq = 20khz) (Q=2.0) (Gain = 0db)

[mikebse2a3]

Use this suggested Tone Control for Room Gain compensation and Recordings needing low frequency adjustments:

Low-Shelf Filter: (Type LOSLV) (Freq = 100hz) (Slope: 6db/oct) (Gain = 0db)

[mikebse2a3]

Cello Palette Owners Manual  pdf download and some pictures.

 

 

 

palette-preamplifier-owner.pdf

Edited September 30, 2014 by mikebse2a3

[Chris A]

Mike -

 

I found a way to use the Cello Palette settings with a freeware VST add-on within foobar2000 on my laptop--i.e., the freeware player that I've got all my CDs and DVD-As ripped to FLAC. 

 

This is pretty interesting.  If you, or anyone else want to know how to do it, let me know and I'll walk you through it.

 

Chris

[mikebse2a3]

Mike -

 

I found a way to use the Cello Palette settings with a freeware VST add-on within foobar2000 on my laptop--i.e., the freeware player that I've got all my CDs and DVD-As ripped to FLAC. 

 

This is pretty interesting.  If you, or anyone else want to know how to do it, let me know and I'll walk you through it.

 

Chris

 

That's great Chris.......... I'm sure eventually I'll be headed down this road and when I do I'll take you up on the offer.

 

I would be very interested in your thoughts/opinions after using these Tone EQ settings with some of your recordings that might benefit from them.

 

Thanks,

miketn

[Travis In Austin]

Thanks for posting this, just saw it when someone linked this thread in another thread where I mentioned the Cello Pallet.

Have you had a chance to try it much? Is it salt and pepper, or a whole new sauce?

I am familar with the article/review you mentioned, at least if that is the one where ML said people tend to EQ too much most of the time.

Edited May 20, 2015 by dwilawyer

[mikebse2a3]

Thanks for posting this, just saw it when someone linked this thread in another thread where I mentioned the Cello Pallet.

Have you had a chance to try it much? Is it salt and pepper, or a whole new sauce?

I am familar with the article/review you mentioned, at least if that is the one where ML said people tend to EQ too much most of the time.

 

Travis I could not imagine my system without this capability..!!!

 

No need to compensate excellent recordings but my enjoyment of the vast majority of less than ideal recordings benefit from it's use.

 

Another very important point is the tonal compensation set points are very intuitive to use.

 

miketn

[Travis In Austin]

Looking forward to hopefully talking with you more about this in greater detail.

Travis

[mikebse2a3]

A look into some EQ mastering techniques which will also work for de-mastering/re-mastering our recordings.

 

Note: especially the comments about the "mudd" spectrum which in my opinion depending on room dimensions will shift up or down the scale somewhat. Even though he is discussing this frequency region in relation to recording mastering this frequency spectrum is also where a large majority of home listening rooms will make or break the reproduction we experience and in my experience when left acoustically unattended/untreated is responsible for many wrongly blaming their loudspeaker/equipment and spending many $$$$$ on the loudspeaker/equipment merry go round.

 

 

 

miketn