Comparing spectra while mastering

For general questions or discussion of Auria.

Moderators: Corey W, Rim

Post Reply
instinctive
Expert
Posts: 156
Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2012 8:02 pm

Comparing spectra while mastering

Post by instinctive » Wed Apr 03, 2013 12:00 pm

Hi,

I wonder if there is any way to overlay two spectra - one of the current master, and one of a reference track?

When mastering, I've come to the habit of constantly comparing the spectral balance of my song with another commercial reference production because I don't always trust my ears / speakers.

On my desktop DAW, I use the excellent Voxengo SPAN - I can use one input as a reference signal, and the "live" and reference spectra are overlaid so that I can adjust my EQs accordingly.

Is there any way to do this in Auria? I know Fabfilter Pro Q has an RTA, but I don't see any ways to overlay several spectra. Maybe I'm stupid.

gjcyrus
Expert
Posts: 62
Joined: Fri Mar 29, 2013 4:38 am

Re: Comparing spectra while mastering

Post by gjcyrus » Wed Apr 03, 2013 11:48 pm

Hey Instinctive, sorry dont have the answer but I also really like Voxengo SPAN.

If by any chance you are a fan of either Nine Inch Nails, Smashing Pumpkins, Jesus and Mary Chain, Lush, My Bloody Valentine or Foo Fighters, check out this premastering quote by Alan Moulder:

FROM ALAN MOULDER:
"I boost the highest frequency available to add air. At the bottom I boost anywhere between around 30 Hz and 100Hz depending on which sounds best. Quite often I boost between 3 to 10 KHz too, again, whatever sounds best. These are all normally at fairly high bandwidths. I do this as a kind of pre mastering thing. Just to make it sound more finished."

http://repforums.prosoundweb.com/index. ... #msg510474

instinctive
Expert
Posts: 156
Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2012 8:02 pm

Re: Comparing spectra while mastering

Post by instinctive » Thu Apr 04, 2013 7:44 am

OK, that's a pretty "rough" way of adjusting EQ though :) The "Whatever sounds best" part is the problem, as I quite quickly fall victim to listening fatigue and my ears become very non-linear... I'd really like something more accurate...

Anyone? Or does nobody in the world compare frequency balance while mastering? :?:

gjcyrus
Expert
Posts: 62
Joined: Fri Mar 29, 2013 4:38 am

Re: Comparing spectra while mastering

Post by gjcyrus » Fri Apr 05, 2013 1:12 am

Not specifically Auria but have you checked out Level 24?

https://itunes.apple.com/de/app/level.2 ... 13533?mt=8

instinctive
Expert
Posts: 156
Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2012 8:02 pm

Re: Comparing spectra while mastering

Post by instinctive » Fri Apr 05, 2013 1:12 pm

Hey, that looks interesting - though it doesn't have a way to compare spectra, and I'm not sure I'd trust my mastering to a totally unknown manufacturer... thanks though anyway :)

gjcyrus
Expert
Posts: 62
Joined: Fri Mar 29, 2013 4:38 am

Re: Comparing spectra while mastering

Post by gjcyrus » Sat Apr 06, 2013 5:01 am

Fair enough. actually ive been considering level 24 for awhile but your opinion helped me make my decision as well. plus since auria has fab filter, not sure if it brings value to auria users.

if you're able to find a solution, pls post as im curious as well. have you tried any of the spectral analyzer apps?

Here's a post from the Live Guitar dev:

"There are spectrum analyzers (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/spectru ... 78884?mt=8 is a good one), where the 60-ish Hz spike is easy to see (and the octave is there too). You can sort of see it on my spectrum analysis tool Spectral Eye (https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/spectra ... 34084?mt=8), although this sort of stuff is not really what my app is designed for."

Also, if you use Audiobus, you should read the thread this post came from. Looks like there's a spike in the 60khz frequency at times for audiobus users but not sure if its from app, mic or from power source:

http://forum.audiob.us/discussion/686/f ... te#Item_36

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 150 guests