Spectrum analysers explained

In this video we will discuss Spectrum Analysers, how to read them and modify them to display what we need to see. For those not familiar with using such a tool this is the perfect introduction. Using the free plugin Span from Voxengo I will demystify the various controls contained within, and similar controls are found on all analysers.

Whether you’re a beginner or pro, having a visual aid that performs realtime frequency analysis to help you in the music production process saves time in problem solving and helps you produce better sounding mixes and masters.

Lesson key points:
0:12 - Introduction
0:42 - What is an FFT?
1:21 - Adjusting settings in our Analyser
6:32 - Advanced settings
10:52 - Creating user presets
12:01 - Other meters

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-- ADSR --

[RichieHmusic]

GREAT VID for the help. This is a very intuitive plugin. I found that when you solo a freq. range (9:55) and scroll while holding the left click the Q factor changes. Moving the mouse changes the gain. So you can really tune in to find "Honks" at certain freqs. like 3.2khz on a harmonica

[chgeri]

The intro song starts the same as my alarm in the morning and it gave me chills lol

[kobalt]

Jeez man, I love SPAN, but had no idea it could do half of this stuff, hahaha, absolutely fantastic video, thank you so much.

[HazyJ]

I couldn't help but notice your correlation meter indicates a very good phase relationship between the components of your mix 🤙

[holotropik]

I use this plugin and have been meaning to learn how to get more out of it. So thank you for posting this video, perfect timing! ;-)

[in_z]

Using Span forever and didn't know about the CTRL click command for copying exact frequency! Thx.

[djrobitonzz]

One of the best Videos on spectrum analyser, thanks for this

[epiphoney]

That's is just what I've been looking for. I want to design synth sounds with it compared to real instruments. Most people talk about mastering.

[korglegend]

Brilliant been looking for explanation of Span, you covered all the bases, thanks

[markdavenport]

SUPERB! I learned a lot from this. Thanks for the post!

[_lfab]

Good stuff! Always been a fan of spectrum analyzers, this tutorial helps take this tool to the next level.

[garyshore]

Glad I saved the link to this when I happened to see it and finally got around to checking it out....installed VS+ a few months ago, studied a bunch of tutorials and figured out how to use it but wish I had seen this then too as it showed me a whole bunch of other stuff I'm going to start using now....

Curious about the display re-the line shown vs.how I have mine set up where it shows a solid block below the line...???

[DJVICTORIUS]

Great tutorial video and good plugin Thanks!

[briancase]

Thanks for a good video. The other thing I love about span is that it shows the crest factor. This is your key to getting a loud master. Keep the crest factor of your mix relatively low, and you have the potential for a loud master. Be careful though, you can over do it and sacrifice dynamics.

[Darro]

Hello Thank You for posting this video. It is very informative. I watch it with pleasure. Regards

[keithrowe]

Thanks for the great tutorial.
Now if I ever heard that Boppy little calypso number again I’ll make the news.

[adekunlehamod]

Pls i have a question that may not be in format of what is being discussed but still about specan. I'm using Anritzu MS2723B. I can capture the current measurement on the specan using the software at a time to see how the carriers are doing. But how can i get a record of how the carriers are doing throughout a day from the specan? I will really appreciate response from you guys!

[fkcoriander]

Great Video! the only problem I have is to understand the Volume (Y-axis). I mean, I know that there are many different dB meters... but I just can't figure out the relation between the dBFS meter and the horizontal lines from the Y-axis. Like -6dBFS are about -43dB on the readout in the upper right corner. When I want to know the difference between two frequencies for example... I can't find out the reference here, especially when you alter the slope for example. I was like searching the web for almost 2h now... I'm doing music and all the audio engineering stuff for almost a decade now but I just can't get my head around this particular problem :'D

[gmreoin]

Thanks for this. Now ive a better understanding :)

[Jubidar]

CTRL + Mouse 1 + Scroll Up/Down does not seem to wide/narrow the band? Any ideas how to turn this option on?