How many of you use an analyzer?

[syra]

Lately I've been doing my share working with an analyzer while mixing. It does take a lot of time to get the hang of it but it can prove to be extremely useful...I used to think big mixers don't use them at all but after reading some interviews and stories it seems they do depend on them...

Which one are you using, how much do you depend on it, Peak or RMS, mixing or tracking, full mix or individual elements...blablabla

Also...have you ever made an adjustment that your ears said no but your analyzer said yes and vice versa?

peace

[RobMacki]

I have used an analyzer while mixing live and I have thought of mixing (studio) with one. I have used one to test my room. I calabrated at 85db and set up for flat. As for tweaking when my ears said no, I did the other day for a client who "loved it".
BTW your web site cracks me up. Especially when you tell Aris to shut up.

on Earth.

[Jay Kahrs]

I've used analyzers while mixing but I usually reference it a handful of times at best. Usually it's if I'm hearing something that bugs me but I can't figure out what frequency it is, usually it's peak mode in that case. I'll switch to RMS if I want to see how the overall mixes are matching up to each other. Generally I just use my ears but the analyzer was handy for training them.

[Rick Sutton]

I use the Intelligent Devices analyzer that runs on an Audio Media II card in an old Mac. Besides the frequency info, I use the average to peak meters alot. It's always sitting on the output of a Sonic Solutions system that I mix/master into.

[JTR]

Jack Endino's website has his thoughts on this topic

Probably more of an aid to freelancers spending a lot of time mixing in rooms they're not familiar with

You're still looking at a learning curve, even in your own room, to arrive at the point of relating what you see to what you hear in any meaningful or usefull sense.

And sometimes, you might not WANT to see what you're hearing, if you get my drift.

YMMV, would be the general consensus, it would seem

[toolskid]

Originally posted by JTR
Jack Endino's website has his thoughts on this topic

Probably more of an aid to freelancers spending a lot of time mixing in rooms they're not familiar with

thats when it comes out for me - but only really if the room I'm mixing in is dodgy...Its no substitute for listening, but can be a really good aid

[Aearth]

Waves PAZ....can't work without it during a mix.


Nick

[henryrobinett]

I often have Spectrafoo hooked up to my powerbook while I mix on the other Mac. I don't use it too much but it's kind of nice to be able to see to confirm/check my ears.

[PaRaNoId]

during the later stages of a mix i analyze it with that free HARBAL program to verify where my mastering EQ dips and peaks should/shouldn't be. Mainly used to double-check things I already know....

[syra]

During mixing I use the PAZ...usually in RMS mode with a mid-slow release...

I like the Graph to Memory feature...I can instantly analyze a reference and compare it with my mix...it helps also to determine overall level if you're mastering while you're mixing...

The Har-Bal app actually opened my eyes on using analyzers...I wouldn't use it to master anything but it was good practice to help me understand what I should look for when I see a graph...

The more time I spend using one the better I can make the connection between my ears and my eyes...for anyone that hasn't tried it I think they're missing out on something good...it just takes time to really appreciate it...

[elambo]

Depends on the music. If there's a moog or some other sub-harmonic bass I'll use PAZ to make sure I'm not missing a huge low-freq rise that needs to be tweaked. Otherwise, typically just the ears. They never lie.

[LittleDogAudio]

I use the PAZ phase meter quite a bit.
But that's about it, mostly my ears.

Chris

[max cooper]

I keep a plug in EQ on the mixbus that makes the near fields "flat" and I pop it in every once in a while just to see what it says.

If it ever told me something really weird, I'd be concerned.

[jeronimo]

I use PAZ analizer all the time to check phase...

[C.Lambrechts]

PAZ here too. very happy with it.

[Jules]

I think I need to start to...

[doug_hti]

I have one of those digital behringer EQs with the RTA, that I got for that purpose alone. I really don't use it anymore, but it is always on, and I find it most useful for seeing how much energy is down in the 20-40hz range (usually from some synth). From doing a lot of live sound, it forced me to get really familiar with knowing specific problems/frequencies.

[toledo3]

Every so often at the end of the project, I will check it out with an analyzer... but really, I avoid doing this, b/c more often than not, I come back and undo whatever it was that the analyzer made me think I needed to do.

In general, I like to not *look* at anything. I try to do most of my mixing with the lights dimmed... I tend to close my eyes when adjusting settings- doing rides, eq-ing, adjusting verb and compression, etc. Even when tracking, I find myself closing my eyes. It helps me get the right balance and make everything gel.... I find that what I would do when I am looking at something is usually less extreme, and more reserved, than when I am just listening to it.... I also get stuff done much, much faster.

This technique does not work too well if you are doing rides with a mouse in a DAW

[genericperson]

I use the triple Peak/Hold/RMS all the time.