spectral analyzer

  • Thread starter Thread starter Krystof01
  • Start date Start date
Zip;
I record on a KORG D16 (stand alone multi-track), I don't use the computer at all for recording.

If I want to use a spectral anlyzer I know that I'm going to have to somehow hook up to the computer, I guess by sending track data out of my D16 via the aux out (1/4" jack) or digital out into my computer somehow; that's where the problem is, I know nothing about hooking up to the computer.

I'm obviously looking for the cheapest method to do this, can you advise on what I'll need and how to do it.

Cheers,
Krystof.
 
Hmmmmm....

I'm not familiar with the KORG unit and it's hookup to a PC. I would reco making a separate post on the computer recording forum for the info.

After you get the info on your PC as .wav files probably the cheapest multitrack program would be N-Track...it's only like $40 I believe. In N-track you can use the plugin to analyze your files.

http://www.fasoft.com/

As far as MAC plugins I am not sure - I'm a PC guy....

I hope this helps...repost about the connection - I'm sure someone here can help with the details...
 
I have a question that one of y'all may be able to shed some light. When a person talks about a sound sitting in a certain spot in the frequency range, where do you really consider it to really be when you have frequencies that often spread far beyond the peaks on the graph. Is this really where the ear should come into consideration? Just cut frequencies that 'audibly' conflict with the prefered frequencies of the instrument that I'm trying to give the breathing room to? I guess I should really just use the analyzer to get a ball park idea of where the sounds exist?

dru
 
With the D16, you can transfer all your files to individual .wavs. Then you can use the computer to assemble and edit. Much easier than the D16's interface.

Mike
 
You Know theres a free 31 band SA on Media Player as well as O-scope representation. Is this any good or do I need something else.

I used to think that SA was for tuning the room only but now Im thinking differently.

thanx
Wayne
 
Yeah; I've been reading quite a bit to find out how to get them onto the PC. I think the two main ways are either to burn the track data to CD from the D16 and then open them on the PC or to connect the D16 to the PC with the use of a digital convertor and a USB.
 
RCA outputs to the line in on your card. That should do it.
 
Going the computer route is kind of a big step. Once you start transfering your tracks to .wav files and start mixing with N-tracks, etc. you're getting in to a whole different learning curve, and you'll be completely changing the way you record and mix. Just a warning. :)

Hey Dru, I think you get the idea. The analyzer is just for getting a rough idea where the bulk of a track's frequencies are, and for seeing things you might not otherwise hear. For instance, let's say you spot some stray jumps going on way down there at around 40 hz on your accoustic guitar track. What's that all about? It very well could have been a train passing by while recording, or maybe a distant earthquake. :) You'll definitely want to cut stuff like that out, and a lot of times, it's hard for our ears to hear stuff that low.
 
a lot of times, it's hard for our ears to hear stuff that low.

...especially when the monitors most of us have (nearfields) do not accurately portray frequencies that low....

Not to steal and thunder from Chess - but the Q one uses to cut very much depends on the source material.

A GENERAL rule is....

If you want to make something sound DIFFERENT...boost WIDE

If you want to make something sound BETTER...cut NARROW

I don't advocate set "rules" for bandwidth but some guidelines might be...

WIDE = 0.3 to 3.0

NARROW = 3.0 to 12.0

Most of my cuts I make are between 5.0 and 12.0.

Hope this helps...

zip >>
 
So what do you guys think of the waves PAZ frequency analyzer for this purpose?
 
Thanks for stealing my thunder zip. :)

I like that. Wide for different. Narrow for better.

I tend to go narrow when carving out a spot for the drums on a bass track. My kick and snare tracks are generally at about 64 and 200 hz respectively. I'll usually try to cut a narrow gouge in each of those areas out of the bass guitar track.

Vocal and guitar tracks tend to be a lot wider, on the other hand. So instead of digging out narrower gouges, I'll use a larger Q and dig more of a wider trench for the vocals to sit in.
 
Hey Cordura, instead of worrying about fancy visualization software just spend an evening with a hit of LSD and your mixes. You will "see" everything and it will all make sense ;)
 
Sorry Chess....

Ju's tryin' ta help. :D

Roadkill...

Last time I did acid (about twelve years ago...I'm showing my age eh??) I sat there and watched knots in wood paneling breathe...

...the time before that I almost got killed riding a horse (DON'T try this at home kids...:D).........

I just couldn't imagine mixing music...

...watching the woofer cones pump in and out...in and out...in and out....adjusting the low end until.....



............BAM!! Yet another blown monitor!!
 
Does anyone know if you can use an oscilloscope for a spectral analyzer ?

Pier
 
No, If you want to measure your noise floor even the quietest noise will show up as a wave on an o-scope. But as a frequency analiser for music, noone has eyes fast enough to use one for an anayliser.
 
well i got that brianspawn pro version (demo)...and i'm watching neat colors fly all over...but what does it all mean!? HOW do i work with what i'm seeing there...? can i just ajust the EQ using N-Track's individual 3 band EQ thing...or what?

and what results am i aiming for anyway (to get good instrument speration)?
 
Chessy,I'm going to the same school.I've been using this software frequency analyzer in a very similar manner on drums.My drummer's kick has all its energy concentrated from 57-62 Hz and the snare is about 225 Hz.
I have n-Track,so shack's comment about the EQ is appropriate here.I've had that software for a few years.And when I bought it I got Flavio's para EQ and compressor.That wacky Italian went and upgraded the code so that currently,the stock n-Track mixer EQ is actually selectable to be a three band parametric EQ.
In the case above,I made a "frown" curve with a high pass and low pass curve centered at 57 and 62 Hz,capturing the esence of the kick.I did the same with the snare in its track around 225 Hz.The bass was then notched at these two freqs with a slight boost at 100Hz and a slight cut at 200Hz.Fit like a jigsaw puzzle.
The overheads got the basic sound of the kit,and I could bring up just the essence of kick and snare to suit untill I had a punchy drum sound.
Anyway,that's how I am using frequency analysis software to help me make surgical slices of EQ rather than great gouges.
Tom
 
...?

anyone? What results am I looking for in the analyzer...just cutting out most of extranious stuff? making the graph flat? really, i have no idea what i'm going for...any articles anyone can link me to about spectral analyzers?
thanks
 
Shack...

...do you have those docs that show what primary frequencies most instruments occupy? If not - let me know.

Once you understand what frequencies need to be there you can eliminate the ones which "get in the way"...

zip >>
 
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