Real time spectrogram?

[bram2000]

Hello Subsektians,

I saw a video (possibly Future Music) ages ago with Noisia in the studio. They use a laptop running a real time spectrogram (Cool Edit I believe) permanently while they are producing. I've got an old monitor kicking around and a spare output on my graphics card so would like to try and set up a similar thing using a single machine (OSX - Hackintosh).

My initial approach was to get some software that sits outside of my DAW (i.e. not a VST/AU plugin) to somehow listen to the stream on it's way to the sound card, but I'm now thinking I could (and perhaps it would be easier to) just use a VST/AU on the master and full screen the window on my second screen.

I've just tried a demo of BlueCat FreqAnalyst Pro but I can't seem to get the window to full screen (or even resize). I'm now downloading a demo of Spectre, which looks interesting although I don't think it offers a traditional spectrogram.

Does anyone here do something similar? Any recommendations for decent plugins or setups?

Cheers!

[krypt]

I use Voxengo SPAN (on master and on some single channels too). It does not affect the sound, it's just real time spectrogram which you seek. I recommend it. Voxengo spectrum is as important for me as the audio from speakers/headphones.

http://www.voxengo.com/product/span/

And yes, its free!

[bram2000]

I already have Span and use it regularly however as far as I'm aware it only offers a Spectrum Analyser rather than Spectrogram (that look like this: http://sethares.engr.wisc.edu/banuelos/spectrogram.jpg).

It looks like Melda MAnalyzer might be ok, but the free/demo version doesn't allow spectrogram so I'd have to pay €50 to see

[krypt]

Hmm, you are right. I use spectrum analysis. If you're looking for spectrogram, I cannot recommend anything. Some DAW's have their tools: ableton's spectrum (but again, its spectrum analysis not spectrogram). In terms of playback, foobar has nice visualisations, including spectrogram

[Lost to the Void]

I always run a spectrum analysis on my master channel all the time when producing (obviously I use one for mastering as well), but I only reference it occasionally.
I rarely need to use a spectrogram however, as for general reference they aren`t much use.

You are better off running a spectral analyser, but I really wouldn`t waste a monitor running one all the time, use your ears.

However if you realy want a spectro try the Schwa Spectro
http://www.stillwellaudio.com/plugins/spectro/

I can`t really see the point of wasting a whole monitor on one.

[Wiu]

MeldaProductions MMultiAnalyzer is cool for this. Also cool for seeing different channels all in the same plugin to spot frequency collisions. Melda have started running a weekly 50% off offer on 5 of their plugins each week so if you can wait it will soon come up on offer again. That said, for 50 Euros, it is a very handy tool. Worth downloading the demo and giving it a go for sure. I think you get 7 or 14 days full use in demo mode.

[willemb]

Interesting idea... I dont think I would do it, but I've always like spectrograms, maybe just because they look cool. A quick google shows a bunch of freeware that makes me wish i had a spare pc to fuck about on:

http://auditoryneuroscience.com/acousti ... m_software
http://www.phon.ucl.ac.uk/resource/sfs/rtgram/
http://www.ultimaserial.com/UltimaSound.html
http://www.ymec.com/hp/signal2/spectrogram.htm

http://www.uio.no/english/research/grou ... oAnalysis/ (woo mac+win!)

http://www.sonicspot.com/soundsoftwares ... graph.html (haha old website, lists win95/98 as a system requirement!)

Its something different, but related - sort of reveresed. But I made a tune using only source sounds drawn or visually affected in Photosounder (picture to sound software, also lossless mode so you can erase noise without getting that synthy sound) - private soundcloud clip: https://soundcloud.com/willemb/04-wille ... ip/s-slRJO

[Hepta]

I use Voxengo SPAN (on master and on some single channels too).

Same here mate, I like the MAX setting that you can use. So you can see the frequency build-up over time

[Lost to the Void]

One of the best meters you can/could get was the RNDigital (roger Nichols) multimeters. Stereo freq distribution, crew analyser, phase and more to in one lovely plug.
Company went into dispute over licensing and vanished, which was a bummer.
However you can find the plugs on cracks and blog sites.

Worth getting the xl meter bundle.

[LuigiTozzii]

Interesting topic, I still haven't chosen the spectrum to use often switching or using together the one from Ableton and the Paz Analyzer, I'm curious to know what u guys think of it (the Paz).

[Lost to the Void]

Ableton analyser is more than adequate

[arc]

I always thought Flux's PAZ looked pretty cool. Super expensive but it would look great on it's own monitor.

http://www.fluxhome.com/products/analyz ... s_spectrum

[bram2000]

Thanks for your responses guys. Sounds like I'll be better off just using the extra screen for extra general DAW/plugin real estate and continue referencing analysers occasionally as normal. Will probably try and pick up the Melda analyser when the discount comes around.

[Lost to the Void]

I always thought Flux's PAZ looked pretty cool. Super expensive but it would look great on it's own monitor.

http://www.fluxhome.com/products/analyz ... s_spectrum

That`s very similar to the RND XL Multi

[Lost to the Void]

Thanks for your responses guys. Sounds like I'll be better off just using the extra screen for extra general DAW/plugin real estate and continue referencing analysers occasionally as normal. Will probably try and pick up the Melda analyser when the discount comes around.

Much better, having an analyser permanently on a screen is a distraction that will push you to pay attention to it.
Analyzers only tell so much of the story, your ears need to understand and know, not your eyes.
Quite often when mastering I am surprised at the final "visual" EQ spread of a tune once it has been corrected.
Not all music correlates to the general rules of an expected standard spectral spread.

Checking meters for guidance every now and again is the way to work.
Eventually your ears will learn the "right" way.
This is all down to "ear time".

Eventually you rarely need to consult analyzers at all unless looking for specific problems.

[krypt]

Spectrum Analyser is extremely important form me, because different speakers have different sound, and numbers don't lie. So except from the 'right sound', the 'right frequency' is the key. I think you won't waste your second screen for it, but I don't understand why you prefer spectrogram over spectrum analyser - spectrogram is density chart and it don't give much information as far as I know (never used one, though). On the other hand, clear and readible spectrum analyser can provide you information how to edit or redesign sound to make it better in terms of frequency.

p.s.
I use spectrogram only for entertainment in foobar2000 when listening to music and having a good smoke. In those terms I recommend a song by Max_M - 1001A for listening&watching. There are ships in it!

[Planar]

It looks like Melda MAnalyzer might be ok, but the free/demo version doesn't allow spectrogram so I'd have to pay €50 to see

This just went on sale for 50% of its normal price. It's well worth it for layering spectra from multiple tracks without having to fuck around with routing. And it has a spectrogram...

[bram2000]

Thanks Planar - I picked this up yesterday but haven't had chance to use it much yet. It looks perfect.

[OHADOHAD]

Izotope Insight got everything from everything