Hi,
just to give you a heads up: Other EQs like ProQ4 use these terms differently. Although the basic functionality is the same in other dynamic EQs - the following terms apply to Frequency 2, only.
Since this is a bit challenging allow me to use an alarm bell to illustrate:
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Threshold is like an alarm bell that goes off and keeps on ringing as long as the signal level is above the threshold level. As long as it is ringing the dynamic part of the EQ is at work plus/minus the time it takes to wake it up (attack) or to go back to sleep (release) after the alarm bell stopped ringing.
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Start is the level that defines the starting point of the range that is affected by the dynamic EQ ending with the Gain-level (or vice versa) - as long as the alarm bell rings. If the alarm bell stops ringing and the dynamic EQ is back asleep then “Start” defines the range of the static EQ which will now be in place (see red range in the screenshot below).
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Gain is the end or target-level that defines the dynamic range of the dynamic EQ IF the dynamic EQ in Frequency 2 is at work (see blue range below).
Here are a few tips:
- If you just need a dynamic EQ then you can leave Start at 0dB and pretend it never existed. Your life will be easier.
- If you want to split the EQ behaviour like illustrated above - go ahead.
- If you decide to apply both positive and negative values to Start and Gain all sorts of combinations are possible. I would rather not explain in detail because this could take a while. Just experiment and see for yourself. You’ll find that it’s possible to alternate between compressing and expanding a signal depending on the current threshold readings. That’s where it starts to get mind-bending. However, you’ll understand once you get the hang of it
HTH