Survey usage and non usage, improvement of Spectrum Displays

[daslicht@mac.com]

Hello Guys,

I have to write a report about the usage and non usage of Spectrum Displays in Audio Production software.

1. Do you use Spectrum Displays?

2. How do you exactly use Spectrum displays?

3. How could they been improved

4. Which Spectrum Displays do you use ? (Software)


Enough by now lets see where it goes.

Thank you guys!

love and light
Marc

[lord toranaga]

what is a spectrum display

[zebastian21]

Originally Posted by daslicht@mac.com

Hello Guys,

I have to write a report about the usage and non usage of Spectrum Displays in Audio Production software.

1. Do you use Spectrum Displays?

2. How do you exactly use Spectrum displays?

3. How could they been improved

4. Which Spectrum Displays do you use ? (Software)


Enough by now lets see where it goes.

Thank you guys!

love and light
Marc

do you mean a RTSA?
Real Time Spectrum Analyzer?
I have wanting one, hardware...just to have a visual feedback of frequencies set to the output of Logic.

[Konketsu]

Assuming you mean 'spectrum analyzers'.
1. Yes.
2. I use them to confirm problem frequencies on a source or mix.
3. I'd like to be able to see one from across a room for when I'm not sitting in front of the DAW.
4. Gah, a few. Can't remember the names.

[Dan Kennedy]

No, it's a complete waste of time for a production person to even contemplate a spectrum analyzer as a means to evaluate a mix.

As a hardware designer, it's a useful tool sometimes.

[Konketsu]

Originally Posted by Dan Kennedy

No, it's a complete waste of time for a production person to even contemplate a spectrum analyzer as a means to evaluate a mix.

I respectfully disagree on the 'waste of time' point. As for evaluating a mix, I agree that RTSA should not be relied upon to evaluate a mix; I do think that RTSA can be used as a means to confirm the existence of problems with a mix, much like like using EAW's Smaart to confirm and/or find room frequency problems in a live venue.

[Methlab]

Originally Posted by Dan Kennedy

No, it's a complete waste of time for a production person to even contemplate a spectrum analyzer as a means to evaluate a mix.

As a hardware designer, it's a useful tool sometimes.

Disagree here too. There is a difference between mixing with your eyes (bad) and checking an analyzer for certain applications.

I know a lot of successful dance producers who are still basically bedroom guys and do not have access to the best monitors...the best way to make sure your low end is rocking while using your sub is too check your analyzer. It helps a lot.

[Dysanfel]

Originally Posted by Dan Kennedy

No, it's a complete waste of time for a production person to even contemplate a spectrum analyzer as a means to evaluate a mix.

As a hardware designer, it's a useful tool sometimes.

I disagree as well. No disrespect intended.

[Reptil]

If I'm curious I take a peek in the one in logic.
for the rest, I don't really miss it.
I trust
ears->inituition in brain
better than
hearing the sound & looking at analyser -> having brain compensate for delay of visual info -> combining both in my brain -> making conclusion on "rational" grounds. or something like that

at some point you just have to let go. too much control distracts.
YMMV.

[Reptil]

Originally Posted by Methlab

...
I know a lot of successful dance producers who are still basically bedroom guys and do not have access to the best monitors....

that's true!

Originally Posted by Methlab

...the best way to make sure your low end is rocking while using your sub is too check your analyzer. It helps a lot

I lost you here. disagree.

[Methlab]

Well, it's just tough to gauge how much 40hz you have in a track if you don't have good monitors and a sub. The analyzer will really help with this.

[jbuehler]

I think of mine as a box when selecting sounds to use in a song. I can see where there is an empty or mostly empty freq area and I find something to fill it.

A lot of the music I like fills up my analyzer, like Boards of Canada. There stuff is DENSE. Since I try and emulate their sound to some degree as they are a big influence for me, I try and fill up all the freqs.

Obviously I wouldn't be dead in the water without my analyzer. I honestly look at it just a couple times when mixing. It is in no way critical but they do help sometimes, look cool, and are relatively cheap to find used. I got mine for 30$.

BTW software analyzers SUCK to use. Just buy a real freq analyzer box and save CPU cycles.

[Reptil]

Originally Posted by Methlab

Well, it's just tough to gauge how much 40hz you have in a track if you don't have good monitors and a sub. The analyzer will really help with this.

agree. all I'm saying with nice monitors it doesn't have to be. at least is not in my case. YMMV considerably