frequency analyzer for mastering?

[heisleyamor]

I use Adobe Audition 3.0, I don't really like it's frequency analyzer. I also have Waves PAZ. I'm not really sure what to look for in a final mix. Is there a certain frequency analyzer you like to use? Is there a page that says where bass guitar should normally peak at (frequency) or other instruments?

[Kiwiburger]

Voxengo Span - good VST freebie.

For education - checkout Har-Bal - World's First Visual Mastering System - get the demo, read what it's all about. It's cheap enough to buy, and I find it very useful to compare my mixes with a commercial mix. Especially if you are learning a new room.

But I don't believe in using it as an eq to correct the spectral balance. If I find a problem, I would rather re-mix to address this.

[heisleyamor]

Har-bal harmonic balancer 2.3 looks pretty cool

[Kiwiburger]

It gets a bad rap around here. Scares the crap out of Mastering Engineers. It's just a cheap tool - it isn't going to put MEs out of business. And i'm not convinced the total system is a good idea. It's not a bad eq, but unless you are doing a salvage operation, it's best to remix if you identify you have a problem.

[heisleyamor]

the reference mix in the program looks like a cool idea. I think it would help my mixing techniques. I could record a cover of a band I like and compare it to a reference mix and see what I did wrong and see how it translates to different sources with trying to match up the frequencies a little bit.

[Unclenny]

I use PAZ throughout the mix process to 'see' what I'm hearing well before the mastering stage. If I'm hearing something a bit dissonant it lets me key in on the exact freq for a surgical attack.

Also helpful for phasing issues.