Spectral analyzer problems

pmoldzio · 2014-07-22T20:30:01.000Z

Hey guys, trying to get the “mud” out my Sound.
I’ve now been trying to use an analyzer but i got some problems here. Maybe some advice from more experienced users…

For example my Kick shows frequencies up to 14khz. Lpf sorts out some of the high frequencies but not really well.
More obvious: my hihats go down to the 35hz range. Can be sorted with a hpf but not really good sounding afterwards…
What am i doing wrong.??
I using the spectralanalyzer app and input via usb audiointerface/cameraconnection kit…

I’m stuck

Hongkong · 2014-07-22T21:57:21.000Z

What source are you analyzing? Something you recorded or live monitors? If a recording, does it sound muddy going in? If so, Id suggested changing the sound. Find a different kick/hi-hat combo that already blends the way you want. You will drive yourself mad and waste time trying to fix something with EQ. If you are referring to live sound…errr… I dont want to go there. Too many extraneous variables. I once bought a digital drum tuner that would give me precise readings of lug frequencies. Instead of helping me tune my drums better it just made me spend hours on tuning/checking lug frequencies and eventually I was doing just fine before when I was doing it by ear. Just me though.

PeterHanes · 2014-07-23T14:31:09.000Z

[quote=“” pmoldzio""]
For example my Kick shows frequencies up to 14khz. Lpf sorts out some of the high frequencies but not really well.
…
I using the spectralanalyzer app and input via usb audiointerface/cameraconnection kit…
[/quote]

I’m not familiar with the app, but what you’re seeing might be a limitation of the signal analysis. What is the level of the 14 kHz component compared to the level of the peak of the kick signal?
What happens if you put a sine wave into the analyzer?

ZenPunkHippy · 2014-07-23T16:14:39.000Z

Sorry if what I say here is really obvious, but it’s not clear from you question how much you know / don’t know …

More obvious: my hihats go down to the 35hz range. Can be sorted with a hpf but not really good sounding afterwards…
What am i doing wrong.??

Nearly all sounds have some low frequency content, especially percussive sounds.

Obviously each channel is summed at the master bus and that includes all the low frequencies which haven’t been removed. It’s the build up of these low frequencies (and high …) that causes muddiness in the overall mix.

There is not much you can do about this except use a filter or EQ to remove the frequencies you don’t want / need from each channel. The more you cut, the clearer your mix will be - within reason. Remove to much and the over all mix won’t sound very “full”.

For hi-hats and similar percussion I would typically start with a low shelf EQ at 1000 Hz and move up from there - really depends on the sound I want.

Some articles that you might find useful:

http://www.homestudiocorner.com/linear-phase-vs-regular-eq/

Resident Advisor

Low end theory: EQing kicks and bass · Feature ⟋ RA

Ever wondered why your favourite producers' kicks and basslines sound so gratifying? RA's Jono Buchanan boldly crosses the low frequency minefield to tell you why.

Peace,
Andy.

pmoldzio · 2014-07-23T17:20:01.000Z

Thanks for the advice
'at the moment i got a lot to arrange for vacation (and sending items to fellow elektronauts ) but i 'll definitly revive this thread in about a month.
Trying to take my AR with me as the OP-1 has left my home…

Jamming with a seaside view after or inbetween surfing sessions is what i need right now to get MY frequencies right.

Cheers guys