useful software for spectrum analysis (guide included)

[veryhumid]

A while back Sasha introduced me to Spectrum lab to help me indentify audio with heavy bass content. But for a long time I couldn't make it work for the life of me. So a while ago, I contacted the creator and he troubleshooted it out with me. So I made a little guide in my main hangout to clear up this very simple setting to make the program work. In no way is this up to Sasha standards, but from a standpoint of just helping people intall and use it, I hope it will help a bit.

Intro:

I have been using a program called "Spectrum Lab" for a while merely to identify songs with a lot of bass content. However it uses your onboard sound card, so it can be used to monitor videos and games as well. The program also has a large amount of other features which aren't of particular interest to me.

About the program: (Screenshots can be found at the bottom.)

Please see the website: http://www.qsl.net/dl4yhf/spectra1.html. It is made by a very nice german fellow who was the one who orginally helped me get it working on my computer by e-mail. And since it is such a small thing that most people overlook I wanted to make a small guide for it. The download for the software is found on that same homepage. Beware the server is a bit slow, but the program is not large. "it is now a specialized audio analyzer, filter, frequency converter, hum filter, data logger etc..." The section titled "history" explains all the features. I have included a guide with some pictures to help you out with the install. Basically you won't need to change any settings in the program itself after you install it. The only thing you need to do is turn on a recording output so the software can get the signal.

Guide: (Click on any image to view full size and without distortion. For XP: after you click and it opens in a new window, hold mouse over image until an icon appears in the bottom right corner. Click on the icon to view at the original resolution.)

Step 1: Go to your control panel. Click "Sounds, Speech and audio devices."

http://server5.uploadit.org/files/veryhumid-1.JPG

Step 2: Click "Sounds and Audio Devices"

http://server5.uploadit.org/files/veryhumid-2.JPG

Step 3: The select the "Audio" tab.

http://server5.uploadit.org/files/veryhumid-3.JPG

Step 4: Click "Volume" under "Sound Recording."

http://server5.uploadit.org/files/veryhumid-4.JPG

Step 5: Click "Options."

http://server5.uploadit.org/files/veryhumid-5.JPG

Step 6: Now make sure any outputs have a check in the box. The one that turned out to allow Spectrum to see the audio signal was called "Wave Out Mix." I think this varies slightly by soundcard. At this step it helps to have Spectrum Lab open so you can see when it starts recieving audio information. Checking the boxes makes sure they are on, and that you can control the volume slider and mute functions. Make sure they are not muted.

http://server5.uploadit.org/files/veryhumid-6.JPG

This install has worked for all of my computers with XP Pro. I have not tried other opertating systems, but I am sure from my pictures you can figure out how to navigate to that area where to select the output. I really hope this helps you out, I hope you enjoy using the program.

Here are a couple tracks as viewed by the program:

Decorum - Contrax (Genre: Drum n Bass)

http://server5.uploadit.org/files/veryhumid-decorumcontraxweaponremix.JPG

Lil Jon - Get Low (Genre: Rap)
(notice the heavy bass content below 50Hz!)

http://server5.uploadit.org/files/veryhumid-liljongetlow.JPG

I hope you have fun experimenting.

Tips: You can adjust the frequencies displayed near the top left corner of the main window. I have mine set from 0Hz-250Hz so I can just see the bass. You can also adjust how "sensitive" the "waterfall display" is to different levels (how often it turns red or stays green) by adjusting the volume slider of the recording output in your "recording control" window.

For example, Here is Lil Jon again, but with the volume slider raised almost to the top:
http://server5.uploadit.org/files/veryhumid-liljongetlow1.JPG

As you can see the bass beats are much more pronounced.

Have fun!, and feel free to Private Message Me (http://www.ocforums.com/private.php?do=newpm&userid=44339) with questions or recommendations to what needs clarification.

[Dudley]

Actually it is good reading - have not had time to try it out though.

[bikeman]

Thanks, vh. When I free up some time, I'll give it a go. If I learn anything useful, I'll report back.

David

[tkc]

Thanks for the info. Just for kicks, I downloaded and installed the Spectrum Lab software and ran some CD's through it. Pretty cool!

One of the interesting things about the results I got was that, with the music I listen to, most of the bass was well-tapered off by around 30 Hz. While there was (occasionally) info below that, it was usually well-down in level. Of course, I would think this is highly music-specific!

I don't have a DVD drive on my computer, so I was unable to look at any audio tracks from my movies There is a long thread on the hometheaterforum.com site, though, that includes waterfall charts of quite a number of movies.

[veryhumid]

yay, some people read it! my first shot at a guide. i think for most of us, the benefits are pretty minor, might even just be entertainment. But it can be useful for tweaking, especially for your sub. and it can help you pick out all your bass-heavy tracks for tests and demos.

Thanks for the link about the home theater forum, I had never heard of a place where people actually post waterfalls, but it is an excellent idea.

Also off-topic, the suggestions for DVD demos that came with my vtf-2 are a lot of fun. espcially the scene in titan A.E. Amazing, deep, clear bass when they are in the ice fields.

[tafguy]

Thanks for letting us know!

Nice software!. Good finding and excellent job for whoever programmed it. http://www.hsuresearch.com/forum/images/smilies/cool.gif

I used it to analyze some audio track from CDs looking for deep bass presence.

Too many technical terms for newbie!

Have hard time to get meaning of them but it is FUN to see curve response based on simple configuration.

[veryhumid]

yeah I and most people will use it just for what you are doing, but it is extremely powerful! not to mention free :D