Question about using and interpreting an analyzer - Maybe using wrong. I have it inserted as the last thing in the fx bin on Master bus. If I change eq settings it shows some changes  but even if I pull the eq levels all the way down (just to test this out) the spectrum still shows some frequencies going up to 0 db?! In fact why are any frequencies reaching 0 on the analyzer, when the meters never do?

Good Question.

The "level"meters are more or less broadband and display either "peak", RMS, or VU increments.

A Analyzer usually has a logarithmic graph display for the horizontal or frequency axis. As you have observed, a peak displayed at some narrow range of frequency does not necessarily mean it will display the same on a level meter. The analyzer is showing the subsets of the energy that is combined for the level metering.

As an aside, if the level meter is set to display PPM (a.k.a. Peaks) then you will be able to correlate the meter level to the cursor position on the track view waveform display. 


Also both meters have timing components related to reaction time and release time and if these are not set the same you can not expect the meters to track the same way. If you work with a lot of hardware you get used to translating or correlating how one meter reacts compared to another.


best regards,
mike

Thanks --- here is an elaboration of the first post--- I went back to the project - pulled the channel fader all the way down so no action on the analyzer. Pulled the fader up very slowly and at -64, the analyzer jumps into full action!!! with some levels going up to 0. So yes there is a weird correlation between channel level and analyzer action.

Which particular analyzer are you speaking of?

Some of them have lots of timing and resolution settings and they come preset with very coarse low cpu use settings so they don't choke people systems.

You may be able to make some choices that provide more closely matched activity of the meters.


best regards,
mike 

The analyzer, even when inserted as the last effect on the master bus, is pre-fader. The meters, OTOH, are post-fader. If you move the Trim/Gain slider instead of the volume fader, you should see the analyzer reflect the actual levels.

Face palm.

Thanks Dave.

I assumed a like to like comparison with the Pre Fader option selected.

I should have considered the more obvious answer. :-)

all the best,
mike