Using Spectrum Analyzer

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bean 123

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I've read a few recommendations to use an analyzer, and I have toyed around, but am a bit unclear on how to interpret their findings. I usually get a rather clat type curve, sometimes with what seem to be insignificant db spikes. It seems true weather it is a single voice/instrument OR an entire mix. My logic (likely wrong) is that a spike would contain a critical( or perhaps "home" or "core) frequency which contains the most distinguishing and perhaps even the overall color of the sound. My next thought (with the goal of a good mix) is to focus on these frequencies.... boost them if they sound good and cut them if they are annoying but also to cut other instruments in areas which seem flat on the anylizer (and thus unimportant) to avoid competition with otheer instruments. What I have tried is to boost or cut these spikes by extreme db (+- 12 db!) to see if they sound good or bad an cut or add accordingly. Is this how to use them??? My goal is to use it to avoid frequency competition. Does anyone use it similarly? I'm still kinda working on clear mixes and can't yet identify problem OR nice frequencies by ear so any advice on them would be great!!!!! :)
 
Listen with your ears, not your eyes...!

That being said, SA's can come in handy for homing-in on trouble areas or to judge sonic space when you have 2 or more tracks that seem to fight....

Bottom-line though is always your ears.
 
bean 123 said:
My logic (likely wrong) is that a spike would contain a critical( or perhaps "home" or "core) frequency which contains the most distinguishing and perhaps even the overall color of the sound.
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Only if the peak is consistantly peaking at that frequency range. I could use the bass guitar as a good example -- suppose there's a section where the player does a little slap & pop stuff. That kind of thing generally causes a significant -- yet momentary -- spike in the higher frequencies, which of course is by no means indicative of the overall sound of the bass.

My next thought (with the goal of a good mix) is to focus on these frequencies.... boost them if they sound good and cut them if they are annoying but also to cut other instruments in areas which seem flat on the anylizer (and thus unimportant) to avoid competition with otheer instruments. What I have tried is to boost or cut these spikes by extreme db (+- 12 db!) to see if they sound good or bad an cut or add accordingly. Is this how to use them???
Click to expand...

For the most part, I think your method is a good way to start out -- sort of like Spectral training wheels. What I think you'll find they're most useful for would be something like this: Suppose your accoustic guitar sounds too bassy, and you want to roll off some lows. The SA should be able to give you an idea of where to start the rolloff, how steep the curve, etc.

Another thing it's really handy for is to identify where vocal sibilances and plosives are occuring so you can compress or de-ess at those frequencies accordingly. It will also show you if you have any unnecessary sub-sonic action going on at the lower frequencies.

As far as using it to "fit" different things together, it can give you a better idea of where to start . . . like if you're trying to get the kick drum and bass to play nice together, you'll have a better idea of where, in the frequency spectrum, you should begin forcusing your attention.

Also, if a guitar track is lacking some balls and I'm looking to add some lows, for example, I like to pull out the SE and have a look at what lower frequencies aren't already being used by something else. And I'll start there. And if it sounds like ass, I'll scrap the idea . . . always defering to the ears to make the final judgement.
 
Those who have Genelec monitors can get away with mxing by ear. Us poor homrec types with sub $500 monitors need a spectrum analyzer to see what's going on.

I think using an SA is a great tool for a learner, after awhile you will wean off using one as you learn what sounds are located where on the knobs.

I pull mine up about once in every song I mix just to check whats going on in the 40-600Hz range. It is becoming less and less used over time though.
 
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