Spectral Analysis and Harmonics

[Farmpunk]

I have two questions:
1. How should I read the spectral analysis? ( Is it best to eq and compress the wave so that all the frequencies are equivalent? )

2. How do harmonics work? ( how do they effect the sound, and can it ever be "too much" ).

 

[masteringhouse]

I have two questions:
1. How should I read the spectral analysis? ( Is it best to eq and compress the wave so that all the frequencies are equivalent? )

2. How do harmonics work? ( how do they effect the sound, and can it ever be "too much" ).

Use a spectral analyzer to help determine which frequencies are too dominant or weak until you can do this by ear. If you try to use it to match your favorite CD, it ain't gonna work. May get you a bit closer, but there are too many variables to take a visual representation as gospel. For example, if your mix is bass guitar heavy, but light in the kick, the analyzer may show a curve that's similar to a mix with a good balance between the two.

Absolutely no to all frequencies being equivalent unless you are mixing pink noise.

 

[Farmpunk]

Ok, for anyone who was interested I figured out the harmonics part. First of all, there is the original frequency, we'll call this x. So the harmonic ( usually called the second harmonic ). Is twice the first frequency and usually half the amperage. So the equation would look like this:
Second harmonic = 2(x) and x/2 = amperage
Third harmonic = 3(x) and x/2 = amperage,

...this continues on and on. I also found that it was interesting that in a square sine wave, the odd harmonic frequencies ( the 3rd, 5th, 7th, etc...) are accentuated up to almost half of the original frequency, but I guess it makes complete sense. Alright, way to answer my own question.

 

[Farmpunk]

Tom:

Thanks much for the info!!!

Farmpunk

 

[SEDstar]

im a radio-electronics kind of guy...id love to see a square sine wave...lol,,,but just teasing you

i know WHAT a harmonic is, by definition only. I know at radio frequencies, they rob power, and ruin the signal.

audio and radio frequencies agree on one thing: kill the bad harmonics...right?

my question: how do i use a spectral analysis to find the bad harmonics? and am i looking for them to make my vocal trrack im woirking on saound better? or am i just trying to gain more headroom by getting rid of a parasite?

are the bands i see the harmnics?

are some of them harmonics of the slight signal noise? or hum?

i gots to know