A mainstay of the audio world, high-pass and low-pass filters remove any unnecessary frequencies from live or recorded sound. This way, a PA speaker can use a high-pass filter to stop any bass frequencies running through the tweeter, while it uses a low-pass filter to cut the treble frequencies out of the bass.
High-Pass Filters (HPF) & Low-Pass Filters (LPF)
High-pass and low-pass filters are used to shave off certain frequencies from an audio signal, so they can be useful when you're working with a speaker that doesn't have any kind of built-in filter, since those unnecessary frequencies might result in distorted sound or even damage. This is essential if you're running a PA system for a live venue or hiring out sound systems. By installing a low-pass filter in a subwoofer, for example, you ensure that the sub only has to process the lower frequencies - which is what it was designed for. A high-pass filter, on the other hand, can be installed in a top-speaker (A.K.A. a satellite) to make sure that it's only fed the higher-frequencies that it was designed to process.
See our entire range of speaker parts
Frequently Asked Questions About High-Pass & Low-Pass Filters
What is a high-pass filter used for?
An HPF or high-pass filter can be used to remove the lower frequencies from an audio signal, leaving nothing but the higher frequencies. You can find high-pass filters on the microphone channels of PA mixers, often marked as an 80Hz Low-Cut filters.
What is a high-pass or low-pass filter?
High-pass and low-pass filters are a standard feature of the audio world, since they remove specific frequencies from an audio signal to protect certain parts of a sound system.
How high should I set my high-pass filter?
It's best to start by selecting an extreme high-pass filter setting before slowly turning it down until you get the result you're after. Then, test the effect when the rest of the mix has been brought in. Ideally, you won't have to use the filter so much.
