How to read a frequency analyzer?

Posted on Aug 28, 2003 05:48 pm
Bruno
The Quiet Minded
Member Since: Jan 01, 2003

How do I read a frequency analyzer? I think it musnt be the easiest thing in the world, but how can I know what the peaks and valleys mean?

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PorpoiseMuffins
a.k.a. Porp & Mr. Muffins
Member
Since: Oct 09, 2002

Aug 29, 2003 02:59 pm

Yes, it's not hard at all. The vertical scale (peaks and troughs) measures the volume of specific frequencies that are labled on the horizontal scale. It just shows how loud each of the frequencies are. The higher the peak, the louder the frequency. Hope that helps :)

Bruno
The Quiet Minded
Member
Since: Jan 01, 2003

Aug 30, 2003 10:05 am

I knew that. but how to know if looks good or not?

flame
...bringing sexy back
Member
Since: Jul 01, 2002

Aug 30, 2003 10:13 am

by the sound...theres no particular look which makes it right.

for a little more info on what frequencies to concentrate on in your equaliser check here :

www.recordingwebsite.com/articles/eqfreq.php

PorpoiseMuffins
a.k.a. Porp & Mr. Muffins
Member
Since: Oct 09, 2002

Aug 30, 2003 11:09 am

Yeah, the analyzer doesn't tell you if the sound is good or anything, but it does show what frequencies are being exaggerated, which might be something you don't want. You can try comparing instruments or whole mixes with your recordings, though, which can be very helpful.

flame
...bringing sexy back
Member
Since: Jul 01, 2002

Aug 30, 2003 11:17 am

very true porp.

i wanna get that programme db's banging on about...whatever its called

PorpoiseMuffins
a.k.a. Porp & Mr. Muffins
Member
Since: Oct 09, 2002

Aug 30, 2003 11:25 am

haha, you mean HB?

flame
...bringing sexy back
Member
Since: Jul 01, 2002

Aug 30, 2003 11:32 am

that thing thats meant to do all yer mastering for ya or whatever it does...

MinkusMaz
Bane of All Existence
Member
Since: Mar 27, 2003

Aug 30, 2003 12:33 pm

frequency analyzers show what frequencies make up the "meat" of the sound that you are looking at. if you look at the peaks and valleys, it gives you a general idea to try using EQ there to see what part of the sound (i.e. hiss in cymbals, clicks and slap sounds in bass vs. the bass's low end, beater smack on kick drums vs. the low end thump) is being shown. based upon that, you can decide which other frequencies make up part of the sound that really don't need to be as present in the mix. then you cut those, using your ears at all times.

it also gives you a better idea of what frequencies don't need to be in other tracks. this is where you want to keep a notepad open or something so that you can write down all the numbers. it's like "oh i want slap bass here, and the slap frequencies that i want to hear are between 1.6kHz and 1.9kHz...maybe i could use a few dB cut in that range for the guitar track in this part."

it's sort of a map of a sound so that you're not flying completely blind with EQ. it's interesting because looking at this gives you a better idea of what knobs on your mixer/EQ you want to use. doesn't make that much of a difference to goose the 80Hz bass knob on guitar tracks, for instance, since you'd want to cut the EQ on that guitar track higher up the scale to avoid fighting with the kick and bass. better off leaving it flat, or perhaps even pushing it down a few dB in order to increase headroom if your frequency analyzer shows that your guitar has a lot of 80Hz for some odd reason.

but when you're using it, make sure that you're selecting large amounts of the track that you're analyzing. you don't get an accurate picture if you're only looking at half a second of a crazy guitar solo.

some analyzers have a function where they monitor an input, which is fun to watch. it's crazy to see where the picture changes when different notes are played or different techniques are used.

good article:
www.homerecordingconnecti...tory&id=154

dbmasters
Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002