Spectrum analyzers

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twaddle
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2013/11/12 12:49:01 (permalink)

Spectrum analyzers

Anyone recommend a good (and by good I mean accurate) one ?
 
I've tried Frequalizer  by Roger Nichols and voxengo's span and both gave very different pictures.
I'm having some tracks professionally mastered and had been complaining that there was a lot of low end something that frequalizer seemed to bear out. He then sent me an image from his analyser (dn60 spectrum analyzer) which was a lot flatter so I tried vexoengo span which gave me a reading much closer to his.
I've also realised rather embarrassingly that I'm sat much to near my speakers and moving back away from them made quite a difference to the perceived level of bass. Something I need to take note of for the future.
 
So other than span and Ozone 5 what else should I try ?
 
Steve

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7 Replies Related Threads

    Leadfoot
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    Re: Spectrum analyzers 2013/11/12 13:03:11 (permalink)
    I use the Waves PAZ. I've been pretty happy with it.
    #2
    drewfx1
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    Re: Spectrum analyzers 2013/11/12 15:01:50 (permalink)
    How a spectrum analyzer is set is going to have a large effect on the output you see. They are likely all correct in what they are showing you, but have different default (or fixed) settings for block size, peak/RMS, etc.
     
    I like ones where the parameters are adjustable so that I can adjust them to suit what I am looking for. I believe SPAN allows you to  do so.

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    cryophonik
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    Re: Spectrum analyzers 2013/11/12 15:44:09 (permalink)
    Blue Cat has a very nice freebie: http://www.bluecataudio.com/Products/Product_FreqAnalyst/
     
    The Pro version is even better, but not free: http://www.bluecataudio.com/Products/Product_FreqAnalystPro/
     
    Even cooler is their Multi version, which allows you to see the spectral content of numerous different tracks/parts on one GUI: http://www.bluecataudio.com/Products/Product_FreqAnalystMulti/
     
    For mastering purposes, I really like the SA included in the Flux Pure Analyzer System, but it's not a standalone SA, is pretty expensive, and requires a dongle: http://www.fluxhome.com/products/analyzer_modules/pas_spectrum

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    #4
    twaddle
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    Re: Spectrum analyzers 2013/11/14 06:07:57 (permalink)
    Thanks for the suggestions.
     
    I don't know why there is a such a disparity between frequalizer and the rest but span, Ozone 5 and Blue cat all gave me the same readings that were the same but quite different from frequaliser which was reassuring.
     
    One schoolboy error I made in thinking that there was too much bass in the master was sitting much too near to my "near field" monitors which is a little embarrassing
     
    Steve

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    TheSteven
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    Re: Spectrum analyzers 2013/11/14 12:50:09 (permalink)
    One of my favorites is still Nugen Audio's Visualizer   http://nugenaudio.com/visualizer.php
    Cost around $100, no dongle.
    Pretty much covers all the bases (Multiple level meters (Peak/RMS/K12/K14/K20 etc.), FFT Spectrum Analysis, Spectrogram, Vector Scope, etc.)
     
    They have a 64 bit (beta) version but you have to ask support for it.
    post edited by TheSteven - 2013/11/14 13:01:21

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    dlesaux
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    Re: Spectrum analyzers 2013/11/16 05:15:29 (permalink)
    Did you compare your readings to the new EQ in Sonar with built in spectrum analyzer?

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    twaddle
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    Re: Spectrum analyzers 2013/11/16 08:32:34 (permalink)
    dlesaux
    Did you compare your readings to the new EQ in Sonar with built in spectrum analyzer?



    What EQ ?
     
    Ahhh, you mean annalist ? I just found it, I'd forgotten all about that one thanks Daniel
     
     
    Steve
    post edited by twaddle - 2013/11/16 08:40:37

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