|
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: Spectrum Analyser Recommendations? [message #377338 is a reply to message #377075 ] |
Wed, 08 October 2008 08:49   |
 |
resolectric
Messages: 291
Registered: May 2004
Location: Pt, EU |
Active Member |
|
|
I am sorry to disagree with Brad (with whom i usually agree) but a spectrum analyser can be really useful.
Even if you have excellent hearing capabilities.
The "Whatever Works" forum has a thread going, titled "Interesting Read on Replacing CRT's" where a situation when a Spectrum Analyser might proof helpful is documented.
You can hear something wrong in a signal and not be able to detect how complex the problem is, wasting time trying to solve it by ear alone, or solving it in a mediocre fashion because you didn't "see" the type of problem that was happening.
The topic above has such an example: CRT interference.
Five parallel, contiguous frequency tones, inaudible but sensible (at about 16KHz) that were removable with equalization but at the expense of signal quality.
The use of a Spectrum Analyser suggested a different approach by making it all visible.
I use Voxengo SPAN, unfortunately still not available for Mac, but since most Voxengo plugins are, you may be in luck soon.
Paulo Miranda
|
|
|
| Re: Spectrum Analyser Recommendations? [message #377379 is a reply to message #377338 ] |
Wed, 08 October 2008 11:06 |
 Patrik T
Messages: 569
Registered: May 2005
Location: Sweden |
Gold Member |
|
|
| resolectric wrote on Wed, 08 October 2008 15:49 |
You can hear something wrong in a signal and not be able to detect how complex the problem is, wasting time trying to solve it by ear alone, or solving it in a mediocre fashion because you didn't "see" the type of problem that was happening.
|
If a "problem" is complex, things turn into salvage and I do not consider that audio processing should be close to salvage at any time.
So, isn't it a waste of time anyhoo?
Why do people hear so much (small) problems anyway?
What's wrong with a neat little song nowadays? A song to like or love. Including the hiss, noise and shit?
| Quote: |
The topic above has such an example: CRT interference.
Five parallel, contiguous frequency tones, inaudible but sensible (at about 16KHz) that were removable with equalization but at the expense of signal quality.
|
Start with a "mess-up", end with one as well.
What does it tell about things?
Dog chasing tail, getting dizzy, finally pukes.
| Quote: |
The use of a Spectrum Analyser suggested a different approach by making it all visible.
|
But can all this always-approach-the-problems-scientific-shit really be applied in the context of basic mastering?
Best Regards
Patrik
|
|
|
|
| Re: Spectrum Analyser Recommendations? [message #377409 is a reply to message #377379 ] |
Wed, 08 October 2008 12:42 |
|
resolectric
Messages: 291
Registered: May 2004
Location: Pt, EU |
Active Member |
|
|
Patrik, your post is the closest thing to out-of-this-world theory i have read in a long time.
Theory, pretty words, preset sentences, are all very nice but working in audio in the real world has nothing to do with what you wrote. Besides, some of your words don't even seem to make sense at all.
Let's see:
| Patrik T wrote on Wed, 08 October 2008 17:06 |
If a "problem" is complex, things turn into salvage and I do not consider that audio processing should be close to salvage at any time.
So, isn't it a waste of time anyhoo?
|
Forensics audio, restoration, remastering and several other types of audio processing could be considered as "salvaging". Not that they are the only ones that will do well with the proper use of a Spectrum Analyser when a problem or a doubt arises.
| Patrik T wrote on Wed, 08 October 2008 17:06 |
Why do people hear so much (small) problems anyway?
|
Because small problems exist and you don't want an 18KHz tone in your neat songs, do you?
| Patrik T wrote on Wed, 08 October 2008 17:06 |
What's wrong with a neat little song nowadays? A song to like or love. Including the hiss, noise and shit?
|
Nothing wrong with neat little songs but when you get to a Theatre to record a large Orchestra and the backstage is filled with CRT monitors you'd better check your Spectrum Analyser.
You don't want your neat little symphony to have a brain-blasting tone that will put dogs in a 2 mile radius barking to the moon all night, do you?
Even with hiss... i'd rather have a pleasing experience when listening to my own recordings.
Being a demanding person i assume i'll please my clients with a job well done.
And i never heard of a Spectrum Analyser that damages sound.
| Patrik T wrote on Wed, 08 October 2008 17:06 |
| Quote: |
The topic above has such an example: CRT interference.
Five parallel, contiguous frequency tones, inaudible but sensible (at about 16KHz) that were removable with equalization but at the expense of signal quality.
|
Start with a "mess-up", end with one as well.
What does it tell about things?
Dog chasing tail, getting dizzy, finally pukes.
|
This doesn't really make sense, does it? Care to explain?
| Patrik T wrote on Wed, 08 October 2008 17:06 |
| Quote: |
The use of a Spectrum Analyser suggested a different approach by making it all visible.
|
But can all this always-approach-the-problems-scientific-shit really be applied in the context of basic mastering?
|
Yes.
Though the original poster didn't mention that he needs a Spectrum Analyser for mastering i reckon the post is in the mastering forum, so, even so, the answer is yes.
In the example i mentioned, linking to the "CRT" topic, after a direct-to-stereo recording the audio file i bring to the studio will enter the mastering process. And that includes detecting the exact frequency where the interference was happening, selecting the interference in a spectral view window and eliminating it.
Thanks to a Spectrum Analyser, without wich this mastering process wouldn't be possible.
And i can think of many other situations where such a tool would be helpful in mastering.
Then again, why have a "scissor" tool in a DAW if all we need is a neat little song?
Paulo Miranda
|
|
|
| Re: Spectrum Analyser Recommendations? [message #377414 is a reply to message #377075 ] |
Wed, 08 October 2008 13:13 |
 |
Cass Anawaty
Messages: 185
Registered: September 2004 |
Active Member |
|
|
I find them useful when explaining some things to clients. I like the one that Garrett posted about a month or so ago.
It's called Schope, I think?
Cass Anawaty, Chief Engineer
Sunbreak Music, LLC
High Resolution Stereo and Surround Mastering
www.sunbreakmusic.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Members
Search
FAQ
Register
Login
Home
