Frequency Spectrum Analyzer - how best to use?

While looking for other plugins, I stumbled across this Blue Cat FreqAnalyst (for VST on both Windows and Mac' also DX for Windows).

I've never used this before, much less any decent frequency analyzer of any kind. Craig has been extolling the virtues of Har-Bal for a while. What are the best uses of this plugin, particularly with the Transformation Button?

One of the most basic uses is for checking content below your speakers' low end or above your hearing's high end. (Assuming you're not one of those freaks who still has the hearing of a 14 year old. )

Since it's realtime, you can use it as you listen and it can help you zoom in on problem ranges, which you can then nail in a parametric or other EQ.

I've become addicted to the (much simpler) realtime bargraph display in the Timeworks EQ I got with Sonar 2 Pro (I think it was) -- but while the realtime spectral display is relatively simple, it's nice because it's mapped right under a rubber band and colored ball graphic interface for the 7 band (+ HP and LP) EQ.

But, you know, even without that useful tool maship, it's no big deal to see that there's a problem at, say, 4K using something like the Blue Cat analyzer and use your favorite EQ to zero in on that while watching the realtime display.

Hey that looks very cool! It might just be what I need to help breakdown sounds I'm trying to emulate using Thor.

Good! I had a strong feeling someone would find this really useful.

Thanks, blue!

This is an Electronic Musician article about the frequency analyzer and some other Blue Cat plugins:

Download of the Month: Blue Cat Audio Freeware

I happen to love FFT frequency and spectral analyzers... I've heard some folks here say, "Use your ears! You don't need frequency analyzers!" and that's probably true for most kinds of music.

For audio cleanup, it is very useful to have a visual readout... you can isolate the offending frequencies with amazing precision (especially in a program such as ADOBE AUDITION 3.0) so they can be removed.

I dunno... some of the avant-garde electronica I've been listening to lately [e.g. SOMA-FM's online "Cliq-hop" station] has some sounds so delicate and deftly placed, I'd wager some kind of FFT visual analysis was used... to place them "just so"...

Is music a science? My answer: it can be....

Spectrum analyzers can lie a lot when it comes to low frequencies present in music. If you're looking for the presence (or absence) of material below 100 Hz or so, what you see is just a guess.

I use a spectrum analyzer as a shop tool to see what's contained in noise (is it power supply hum? something oscillating?) and I can get a rough idea of frequency response with pink noise as the source, but for music, it's mostly just a cool display to me.

HIJACK ALERT

Geez, is everything a plug-in these days? The other day I was searching for a MIDI data analyzer, something that I could squirt MIDI data into and see what I was sending. I was trying to get the control surface buttons on this A&H ZED R16 to work and wanted to find out for sure what was coming out. I found a bunch of plug-ins, which I don't think I'm smart enough to use, and just one stand-alone program that's free for the first 30 uses, then the company (which went out of business about 10 years ago) will have to be resurrected before I can use it again. No problem, it told me what I needed to know - this time.

I use an analyzer to help sort out my low end at times. Though Mike makes an interesting point regrading how accurate that analysis might be. If I'm having issues trying to "unclog" my kick/bass region and can't put my finger on it, I'll solo each element and see what the display reads. I might find that both are peaking at 170 Hz, for instance. Then I can go about trying to lean up one of those elements. Then combine the two and take a listen/look. Solo again... repeat.

Of course none of this works without listening and knowing what you want and how what you see might correlate to what you're hearing.

Sometimes it's interesting to see just how much subsonic info is on your shaker track. A good way to help you remember to use LP filtering.

here's a nice freebie RTAS analyzer from Elemental/Roger Nichols plugins.

http://www.rndigital.org/inspector.html

This frequency analyzer made by Schwa might be good for doing what you are describing, as it superimposes the frequencies of two separate tracks so you can compare them.

http://www.stillwellaudio.com/?page_id=26

Definitely. That's how I've always done it. But it's always nice to have a tool, if only to confirm what is going on or assist you in getting there faster.

That looks good. Thanks!

And back at you. I've got to get my VST wrapper for Mac now. Hopefully my Windows license works for both. This looks like a nice meter.

Several people, including Phil, told me that I had to get the VST-RTAS wrapper, something I couldn't do before because of my antiquated system. They didn't have to convince me at all, though...there's so many great VST plugins out there. And so far, the wrapper's been working really well.

The Stillwell / Schwa stuff seems to be really great bang for the buck. I have the Stillwell Vibe EQ, and I really love it.