International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Engineering & Technology (IJARCET)

Volume 8, Issue 7, July 2019, ISSN: 2278 – 1323

Audio Equalizer Design Using Sallen Key Filter

Khin Yu Yu Hlaing


Abstract— This paper describes audio equalizer design using III. BEHAVIOR OF AUDIO EQUALIZER
second order Sallen Key filter. In the construction of this
equalizer, we adjust the base, treble and midrange setting on
In this paper, the Sallen key filter is used to filter the audio
the sound system. This audio equalizer is constructed by using signal.The Sallen- Key filter is a very popular active filter
Sallen Key filter. The input can come directly from the which can be used to create second order filter stages that can
microphone or similar device. Then control the gain of the be cascaded together to form larger order filters. The op-amp
amplification of each channel independently to allow to choose provides buffering between filter stages, so that each stage
the tone of the signal, and finally add back the signals together can be designed independently of the others. These circuits
with summing amplifier. The Multisim Software is used for are suitable for filters which have complex conjugate
simulation of audio equalizer. poles. The topology of Sallen Key filter is shown in Fig.2.
Index Terms — Audio equalizer, Sallen Key Filter, Bass, Treble, The setting of a highpass and lowpass filters is the order of
Midrange. accommodation of capacitor and resistors. The equivalent
impedance of such devices is substituted in the schematic
I. INTRODUCTION view. [4]
Audio equalizer is the device to adjust the balance
between the frequency components within an electronic
signal. The equalizer is used in sound recording and many
other applications in electronic telecommunication. The
audio frequency range for the human ear is commonly
accepted between 20 kHz and 20 kHz. The bass, midrange
and treble frequency ranges are less than 5 kHz, between 500
to 5 kHz and above 5 kHz respectively. In this paper, we used
the Sallen Key filter to filter the require frequencies. An Fig.2 The topology of Sallen Key filter
active Sallen Key filter can be cascaded easily to make higher Apply KCL at Vz,
order filters. The opamp provides the buffering between VIN −VZ
=
VZ−V+
+
VZ −VOUT
(1)
cascade stages. Sallen Key filter makes filter design easy Z1 Z2 Z4

with cutoff frequency and Q by using R, C values and And given opamp functionnaly, replacing V+ with Vout
amplifier gain. This device is a simple second order linear VIN −VZ VZ −VOUT VZ −VOUT
= + (2)
filter which permits to obstruct a frequency range. Z1 Z2 Z4

Apply KCL at V+,

II. OPERATION PRINCIPLE VZ −V+ V+
= (3)
In this research, there are three filters are required for base, Z2 Z3

treble and midrange adjustment. The bass adjustment circuit replacing V+ with Vout
requires a low pass filter, the treble adjustment requires VZ−VOUT VOUT
= (4)
highpass filter and the midrange circuit adjustment circuit Z2 Z3
requires a bandpass filter. The input signal is fed to three Finally, we obtain the equation,
different filters at the input. The output of each opamp circuit Z2
is fed into summing amplifier circuit. The block diagram of Vz = Vout 1 +
Z3
(5)
the audio equalizer is shown in Fig.1.[2] Transfer function of the filter is;
Vout Z3 Z4
H s =
Vin
=
Z1Z2 +Z4 Z1 + Z2 + Z3Z4
(6)

A. Lowpass Filter
In Fig2,we substitute the equivalent values such as
Z1 = RAb Z2= RBb Z3=1/sCAb Z4 = 1/sCBb
The structure of lowpass filter is shown in Fig.3.

Fig.1 Block diagram of Audio Equalizer

Manuscript received July, 2019.

Mrs Khin Yu Yu Hlaing, Department of Electronic Engineering,
Technological University, Mawlamyine, Myanmar

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 International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Engineering & Technology (IJARCET)
Volume 8, Issue 7, July 2019, ISSN: 2278 – 1323

Making C1m = C2m = C yield,

1 1Ϡ+ 3Ϡ
fc =2 (15)
1Ϡ 2Ϡ 3Ϡ

1Ϡ =
2
(16)

2Ϡ = (17)

Fig.3 Lowpass filter

3Ϡ =
2 2−
(18)
After substitution of the previous transfer function H(s), 2
the transfer function of lowpass filter is
1 Q = 2πfoCA0R1m (19)
= 2+
t
t+
t2 t t
t + 1 (7)
t t t t t t t Q = πfoCR2m (20)
Comparision with the characteristic equation, we can
identify the parameters such as 2πfoCA0R1m = πfoCR2m
1
Natural frequency = (8) A0 = R2m /2 R1m (21)
t t2 t t

t+
Attenuatuion parameter 2 = t
(9)
t t t BW = (22)
The quality factor Q = 2
(10)
B. Highpass Filter
D. Non-inverting Amplifier
The schematic for a highpass filter is shown in Fig.4. Its In audio equalizer, this circuit consists of non-inverting
looks like the same as the lowpass filter, except the resistor opamp circuit characterized by the voltage gain of 1+
and capacitor are swapped. Rf/R1.[8]

Fig.6 Non-inverting Amplifier

Fig.4 Highpass Filter
t t
2
E. Summing Amplifier
= 1 t+ t+ 2
(11)
+
t t t t
t t The summing amplifier is needed to add incoming signal
to the three amplifiers. The potentiometer can be adjusted to
H s =
s2
(12) enable the full spectrum of sound. In this case, the summing
s2+s
1
+
1
+
1
CAt RBt CBtRBt CAtCBtRAtRBt amplifier works as non-inverting amplifier. The structure of
1
summing amplifier is shown in Fig.7.[6]
= (13)
t t2 t t

t t2 t t
= (14)
t t + t
C.Bandpass filter
The schematic for a bandpass filter is shown in Fig.5.

Fig.7 Non-inverting Amplifier

IV. SYSTEM DESIGN

In this research, three filters are combined in parallel into a
single circuit. The circuit of audio amplifier is shown in
Figure. The opamp is needed because the signal from the
player doesn’t enough power to drive a big speaker. But also
Fig.5 bandpass filter

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 International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Engineering & Technology (IJARCET)
Volume 8, Issue 7, July 2019, ISSN: 2278 – 1323

the summing amplifier is required to sum the currents from C. Midrange Adjustment
the three filter circuits. The circuit diagram is shown in Fig.8. The bandpass filter is needed to adjust the midrange. The
midrange for human ear is 1k Hz to 5kHz . We choose center
frequency 2.5kHz.
Select C1m = C2m = 0.01 uF, R1m=10KΩ, R2m=20kΩ
From equation (15),
1 1Ϡ+
fc = 2 3Ϡ
1Ϡ 2Ϡ 3Ϡ

Q = πfcCR2m = 1.57

A0 = R2m /2 R1m = 1
1tt
3Ϡ =
2 2 2−
= 2 Ϡ2tt Ϡ t 1 Ϡ 1tt 2 −1
= th

BW = = 1t 䁗

V. TEST AND RESULTS OF AUDIO EQUALIZER

In this section, the testing results of step by step are shown
with multisim [3]. The simulation and hardware results of
lowpass filter for bass adjustment is shown in Fig.9.

Fig.8. Circuit Diagram for Audio Equalizer

The system will essentially consist of three filters, three
amplifiers, and a signal summing amplifier. Including also an
operational amplifier (opamp), device which main purpose is
to increase or reduce the input’s amplitude. So the RC design
will regulate the frequency while the opamp, will modulate (a) Bode Plot for lowpass filter
the intensity of the output. Opamps produce control systems
which are self-regulating through the feedback impulse,
which makes them fairly stable and simple to use. Opamps
consist of three active terminals (the ones which will actually
carry the signal and modify it): v+, v−, vout. And two passive
ends which are simply the opamp’s voltage source: vcc+,
vcc−.
A. Bass Adjustment
The base adjustment circuit will be required a lowpass
filter. The base frequency for human ear is accepted less than
500 Hz. So we select the base cutoff frequency is 500Hz.
Select RAb = RBb =R2b = 1 kΩ
From equation(8),
1
fc = 2 =t Hz

CAb=CBb =C = 0.318 μF
(b) Simulation result of lowpass filter
We choose standard values for capacitors with 0.33 μF. Fig.9. The result of lowpass filter
B. Treble Adjustment The simulation and hardware results of highpass filter for
The highpass filter is needed to adjust the treble. The treble adjustment is shown in Fig.10.
treble frequency for human ear is accepted greater than 5 kHz.
So we select the treble cutoff frequency is 5 kHz.
Select RAt = RBt =R2t = 1 kΩ
1
fc = 2 = tk Hz

CAt=CBt =C = 0.0318μF
We choose standard values for capacitors with 0.033 μF.
(a) Bode Plot for highpass filter

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 International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Engineering & Technology (IJARCET)
Volume 8, Issue 7, July 2019, ISSN: 2278 – 1323

Fig.12.The result for base adjustment

(b) Simulation result of highpass filter

Fig.10. The result of highpass filter
For treble adjustment, the cutoff frequency is above 5k Hz.
The result is shown in Fig.13.
The simulation and hardware results of bandpass filter for
midrange adjustment is shown in Fig.11.

(a) Bode Plot for bandpass filter

Fig.13. The result for treble adjustment

For midrange adjustment, the cutoff frequency is 1 kHz to

5k Hz. The result is shown in Fig.14.

(b) Simulation result of bandpass filter

Fig.11. Simulation and Hardware result of bandpass filter

The results for overall circuit are shown in following

figures. In figures, the green line shows the results for base
adjustment, the red line for treble adjustment and the black
line for midrange adjustment. For base adjustment, the cutoff
Fig.14.The result for midrange adjustment
frequency is below 500 Hz. At that frequency, there is no
filter output for highpass and bandpass.the result is shown in
Fig.12.

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 International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Engineering & Technology (IJARCET)
Volume 8, Issue 7, July 2019, ISSN: 2278 – 1323

VI. CONCLUSION
In this paper, we construct audio amplifier with Sallen Key
filter. By using this filter, we can easy adjustable corner
frequency and simple implement with reusable parts. As no
inductor is used, the circuit is compact and less weight. As
the output impedance is low, it can drive the low impedance
load.

REFERENCES
[1] Carter, Bruce, etal. Opamps for Everyone. Second Edition, Texas
Instruments, MA 2003.
[2] Engineering Circuit Analysis. Eighth Edition, William Hayt,Javk E.
Kemmerly, Steven M.Durbin.
[3] https://www.ni.com/multisim
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_filter
[5] R o b e r t L.Boylestad Louis Nashelsky, Electronic Devices and
Circuit theory,Tenth Edition
[6] Theodore F.Bogart Jr.Jeffrey S.Beasley Guillermo Rico, Electronic
Devices and Circuit, Sixth Edition
[7] http://www.arc.id.au/FilterDesign.html
[8] J.B.Gupta, An Integrated Course in Electronics Engineering

Khin Yu Yu Hlaing, Lecturer, pursuing Master of Electronic Engineering,

Department Of Electronic Engineering, Technological University
(Mawlamyine), Myanmar. I have started my career in Academic Teaching
for Electronic Engineering with respect to the Technological University of
Mawlamyine, Myanmar. And also, I have completed a project in Audio
Equalizer Design using Sallen Key Filter which includes with simulation
software. This work made me to look forward and to work in electronic
devices where I wish to see myself with fulfilled heart by doing further
works respectively.

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