Stereo analysis tools?

  • Thread starter Thread starter ofajen
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ofajen

Daddy-O Daddy-O Baby
OK, I'll try to answer my own question, and then you all can fill in what I'm missing.

I'd like to have some stereo analysis tools in plug-in form: oscilloscope, etc. to analyze L-R coherence, and preferably along with K-system meters. On Mac OSX, preferably Audio Units or VST. I can upgrade to Peak XT to get their Mastering Perfection Suite for a paltry $600 or buy Roger Nichols' Inspector XL for $285 or so or Metric Halo's Spectrafoo Standard for $319 or so. Anything I'm missing, especially anything cheaper? :)

Thanks!

Otto
 
Have you seen Nichols' free version of Inspector? It won't have your K-System metering...but I just adjust for that in my head if needed. I guess it also doesn't have oscilliscope, but I don't think you'd really need that unless you're testing electronics. And in that case I'd go with a hardware version.
 
AudioXplorer
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/18601

Haven't tried it, but it claims to offer "oscilloscope, spectrum and sonogram". Not sure what a "sonogram" is. I thought that was something you did with an ultrasound machine to see a developing fetus, but.... Ah. Another term for a spectrum analyzer. Wait... how is that not redundant? Anyway....

BSD-licensed open source software. Also Free as in beer.
 
bennychico11 said:
Have you seen Nichols' free version of Inspector? It won't have your K-System metering...but I just adjust for that in my head if needed. I guess it also doesn't have oscilliscope, but I don't think you'd really need that unless you're testing electronics. And in that case I'd go with a hardware version.
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Yes, I have downloaded his free Inspector plug-in, which is worth more than I paid for it. Thanks! :) The oscilloscope is one of several useful ways to display and analyze information about the phase relationships of the stereo signal (L-R coherence) which is useful to look at when you are trying to record real stereo information. I have an old Tektronix scope that I use for calibrating my big analog recorders, but now that I'm also tracking and mixing in the digital realm, it makes a lot more sense to take advantage of the nifty, new digital analysis tools.

Thanks!

Otto
 
Massive Master said:
The ones on the sides of your head should be the only ones you need...
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Cute. Thanks for sharing.

Otto
 
dgatwood said:
AudioXplorer
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/18601

Haven't tried it, but it claims to offer "oscilloscope, spectrum and sonogram". Not sure what a "sonogram" is. I thought that was something you did with an ultrasound machine to see a developing fetus, but.... Ah. Another term for a spectrum analyzer. Wait... how is that not redundant? Anyway....

BSD-licensed open source software. Also Free as in beer.
Click to expand...

I'd suggest caution on this one. I downloaded it and it's fairly cryptic and not as helpful as I would like. Far worse, now I can't run Peak Pro anymore, since I opened up Audio Explorer. It crashes on start up. Argh!

Otto
 
ofajen said:
I'd suggest caution on this one. I downloaded it and it's fairly cryptic and not as helpful as I would like. Far worse, now I can't run Peak Pro anymore, since I opened up Audio Explorer. It crashes on start up. Argh!

Otto
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Well, as usual with start up issues, the problem seems to have been a corrupted preferences file and things are back to normal again. Still, I don't think Audio Explorer will fill the bill. It's "discontinued" and, hence, free, but not really supported any more.

Otto
 
Massive Master said:
The ones on the sides of your head should be the only ones you need...
Click to expand...

Lemme guess, you record on a Studer J-37 1" 4 track with no meters, right? :) Coincidentally, I sold one to Mitch Easter some years ago and he's decided to have Fred Hill install VU meters, cause he can't abide the meterless route.

Cheers,

Otto
 
This isn't about level meters - This was about stereo analysis tools. I couldn't give a rat's rear-end what a "stereo analysis meter" is showing me as long as my ears are hearing what I want to hear.

If (someone) can't hear phase problems or panning issues, it's a symptom if a bigger problem than what a stereo analysis tool is going to fix.
 
Massive Master said:
This isn't about level meters - This was about stereo analysis tools. I couldn't give a rat's rear-end what a "stereo analysis meter" is showing me as long as my ears are hearing what I want to hear.

If (someone) can't hear phase problems or panning issues, it's a symptom if a bigger problem than what a stereo analysis tool is going to fix.
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Dude! Lighten up already! I can hear gross phase problems just fine. I've been interested in carefully studying different stereophonic techniques for a while now and want to understand the differences in more than just a "like that, don't like that" or "oops, I did something way wrong that time" way. I want to do my own experiments to better understand the advantages and disadvantages and the compromises between methods that work well for headphones vs. loudspeakers and the effects of time of arrival cues for various spaced techniques, and try out techniques that combine intensity stereo with spaced mikes, etc., etc., etc. While I'm at it, I think some quantitative tools could be helpful.

All I asked for was any tools that would work with my system that I didn't yet know of, and that's really all I want from this thread. If you're not interested, you don't need to do any such tinkering or use any such tools. Maybe you're a published expert in the field of stereophonic sound, but I'm not. I am interested in learning more, in a hands on, quantitative way, and you won't change that with your comments. Indeed, the hindquarters of a rattus norvegicus is a conservative estimate for the upper limit of the value I place on your opinion of whether I should use these tools or not. :)

Otto
 
ofajen said:
Indeed, the hindquarters of a rattus norvegicus is a conservative estimate for the upper limit of the value I place on your opinion of whether I should use these tools or not. :)
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Do you talk like this in real life?
 
ofajen said:
Dude! Lighten up already!
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I... I'm... I'm not getting "heavy" enough to lighten up... Not that I couldn't stand to lose a few pounds...

But I really don't think that meters are going to "show" you anything special. Just like with spectrum analyzers, similar sounding recordings aren't going to necessarily "look" different to the meters. And recordings of varying qualities that sound totally different may look very similar.
 
Massive Master said:
I... I'm... I'm not getting "heavy" enough to lighten up... Not that I couldn't stand to lose a few pounds...

But I really don't think that meters are going to "show" you anything special. Just like with spectrum analyzers, similar sounding recordings aren't going to necessarily "look" different to the meters. And recordings of varying qualities that sound totally different may look very similar.
Click to expand...

When John's right, he's right. I know my limits and send it all off to a pro.
 
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