Hey out there, I am looking to better understand the tools i am use. I use spectrum analyzers all the time to hell with my mixing and sound design but just know the basics of how to read what is coming up on my screen. I there is a post that can help me understand the purpose of the different kinds of spectrum could you let me know . if there isnt i would love explanation. for instance is there a specific purpose for linear scope or is it just a preference thing? how is it relative to the audio being played through it? Why do Linear analyzers not show below a 100KH? Sorry if this seems like some dumb stuff to be asking but i believe the more you ask the starter you become. Thank you to all !!

 

When analyzing audio in a spectrum analyzer, you usually use the logarithmic scale, not the linear scale. It's most representative of the human hearing.

Also, most analyzers have configurable slope or tilt. Check out the free Voxengo SPAN.

 

Thank you can you tell me what linear would be used for? I do normally use Logarithmic because it makes the most since to me. rectently I have SPAN as well as 10 to 15 other analyzers> I think at the monment izotopes Insight is the one i use the most

 

The point of using linear-scale is to focus on the high frequencies. log scale focuses on the overall mix. Focusing on the high frequencies may give you specific information like, whether the SR is upscaled, did someone upscale an MP3 to WAV, if your SRC is doing its job well, etc. Apparently speech analysis is done with linear scale (but with the high frequencies cut off)

Although most FFT are log, I PREFER to have the OPTION of choosing between scales for the different use cases above.

• bs-spectrum (FREE, but crashy) is linear scale only.
• Izotope Insight can do linear scale.
  

Baxter: Voxengo stuff is the only stuff I know of that has a configurable tilt.

Yeah Voxengo SPAN is OK, but it doesn't have linear scale so I usually have a Iz Insight on the chain as well.

Linear anals will show below 100hz, but it's usually hard to see because of the way log compresses the high frequencies to show the low frequencies better, etc. Go read up on log vs linear in general.