How To Use A Spectrum Analyzer For Mixing + FREE Analyzer VST Plugin Download

CHECK OUT MY MUSIC - lofichill.com FREE SPECTRUM ANALYZER - bit.ly/Spectrum_Analyzer
In this video I explain how to use a spectrum analyzer to improve your audio mixes. Since many at home producers don't have the best acoustically treated space, using a spectrum analyzer as a second set of ears is a good approach to keeping your mixes balanced - and up to the level of your favorite artists. We can accomplish this by using a reference track from a professional recording, and ensuring that our frequency curve matches it visually. You're still going to need your ears of course, but combining that with a visual analysis is going to greatly improve the focus of your mixes.
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I have watched many video and I wasn{t sure how this one was going to go, but you taught exactly what I wanted to know. thank you!

[@FranciscoAbeonis]

Great tutorial. The best explanation of EQ I have seen so far. As usual, MYODM has a very pragmatic approach to what may be perceived as abstract. Great job. Thanks.

[@guybuddy1]

"I'm assuming many of your rooms are kinda shitty too" that made me lol

[@coachjohn310]

hahaha I love that

[@LoktionBanger]

ran straight to comments when i heard that

[@SteveStockmalMusic]

I set up one SPAN on my Mix buss, and another instance on my reference track (routed directly to the Stereo out), matched all the settings, then set them side by side (yeah...adjustable GUI)...with my volume mostly down to not go crazy hearing two songs at a time. Seemed to work well to “see” the difference, then I went in and adjusted a bit here and there. Thank you so much for this tutorial...great stuff man ! Steve

[@chuckcostello5167]

Great idea to do this. I'm trying this on my next set of mixes. Thanks for posting and subscribed.

[@Sandman6616]

hey thanks for the stereo image plugin its amazing loving it.

[@pvampman]

Great for mixes in a small bedroom to get even eq. I found a huge bass boost...helps if you got a bad room with huge dips and peaks with low end

[@kingbrian1853]

thanks alot bro , im a artist who have been trying to mix and mater my own music thanks alot

[@truthbetold7771]

thank you so much for this! love your videos man.

[@JupiterFerrari]

Good clear, concise explanation. Thank you!

[@GlenWes]

Thank you for the tips MYODM, very informative for producers like ourselves! Cheers :)

[@michakustra7362]

Thank you for this vid : ) Very usefull. And you make nice music man!

[@s.o793]

Awesome! Thanks for this tutorial! Subscribed

[@GriffyBoiii]

Thank you for the helpful tutorial!

[@jondcoderjondcoderdotcom2067]

great video, thank you for your excelent classes. MAy I suggest you to explore this option: Q3D EQ

[@babydemonlab]

Very helpful video, thanks! :D

[@AJLTunes]

Great video. Straight to the point and really informative. Thanks!

[@hannesmatthiessenakadjscar2681]

Sweet! Thanks for this cool tutorial! :)

[@khmerdragonson]

Your suggestion helps me a lot. Thank you

[@musicforfilmandtv6718]

I agree with the concept of visually comparing with reference tracks BUT I don't think raising/lowering individual tracks is the solution. What we're looking at is the sonic footprint of the mix (that we're already happy with). It can be compared to using a vectorscope or histogram in video - we are tweaking the entire image. I think adjusting the tonal characteristics of the mix with a great EQ, or maybe a 3+ band compressor is the better approach. Like the vectorscope it's a way to turn off our subjectivity (especially after a long session) and use "data" to ensure that the finished product is right. Thanks!

[@ebolantigua3201]

Nice work on those tracks.. checked them out.. Seems we're all on the same sonic journey.. Thanks for this info.

[@keepitlo00]

Nice vid. I see the use now. I thought analyzers were used just to keep frequencies from stepping on each other. But I see what it is that your doing here.

[@Younghead]

Thank you Sir, you are almost a supreme human being. This analyser does appear to be better than Blue Cat's Freqanalyst2.

[@rickbeats7898]

Thanks for the insight! Keep up the great work...

[@pr1d3luv]

Nice tutorial. Thanks for the Tip! 🙂

[@vocalsync135]

Thank you for making this video!! You're awesome!

[@s.o793]

great explanations! thanks alot

[@mal9817]

Thank you for making it very easy to understand

[@Lidor-Levi]

thanks man!great explanation.

[@TesemOfficial]

brilliant. thx 4 your help!

[@sundamusik]

Been using that pink noise tip you gave, in combination with checking it with on the VU meter and Waves analyzer before and after the mix...slowy im gettin there hehe

[@MakeYourOwnDamnMusic]

etta boy, Sunda!

[@kingshahzad78]

Great explanation. Core facts you discussed which mostly people do not know. Stay blessed

[@beatweezl]

Thanks for the link!

[@cer0s]

Thanks man! Very useful

[@roobsta1840]

Another insightful video. Thanks a bunch for sharing. Will try the suggested method. Best channel on KZbin!

[@MakeYourOwnDamnMusic]

Thanks, man. Always nice to hear you guys getting fired up about trying some of this stuff on your own. I think that's where the real magic happens.

[@drutgat2]

Very helpful. Thanks.

[@ronsullivan132]

Very informative. Is there a way this method could be adapted to setting Aux Send levels out of a mixing board to get the recording mix correct from a live sound? I am panning vocals and instruments to opposite sides and sending them to the stereo input on a PC for recordings. Not as good as a true multi-track setup, but it lets me post process vocals separate from the instruments. The problem is getting the instrument mix correct, as we have two acoustics, rhythm, electric and bass guitars, plus full drum kit.

[@chanex2991]

good video! btw use also high res mod in Span, it shows peaks in detail.

[@DjClimamusic]

Thanks for the info, thumbs up! :)

[@thecredible]

Great vid! Explained a lot, just subscribed Catch Ya! Rog! Trackside Studios UK

[@reidmclellan7934]

great video...thx!

[@cerspence]

Should also set Preset to Stereo Mastering for a smoother/slower representation. That way you're matching a more overall sound, rather trying to matching specific frequencies (which is what I assume many newer engineers will attempt to do in order to match their fav tunes).

[@arcademcFLy]

hello great video...should your drums be higher than the melody in a beat ???

[@piotr.soton88]

Thanks! Great super usefull video again!

[@MakeYourOwnDamnMusic]

You got it, Piotr. And thanks again for watching.

[@rij2392]

like you said great for home studio producers where they dont have best room , thank you for this video man it definitely helped.

[@juzdwymorgan822]

Rij you seem to have some knowledge, can I ask you something? how would you get rid of the pics we see in middle range frequencies? When I try with Eq the original sound change too much, for example brass sounds usually have pics in their audio spectrum and the mastered track will have those pics from the brass, if I eq the pics the brass sound too poor. If I try with a multiband compression the pics don’t flatten that much Do you have an idea? Thanks!

[@juzdwymorgan822]

Peak*

[@milosysbaptis1075]

My dad's been in the business for decades (in various exec capacities). He says your video is very uplifting for pros and semi-pros. Congrats.

[@ChrisSwafford1]

Yeah, great job bro.

[@buzzpsy]

Thank you so much

[@Deuterium2H]

Sweet...Andy Serkis is now teaching us how to use frequency spectrum analyzers. :)

[@santoshgujar5237]

Thank you, Sir

[@guntherrobles9188]

Thank you!!!!

[@thevagabondification]

Great video! Also, great accent!!

[@DjIsaacsOfficialSite]

You've helped out so much. Most videos I've seen, people explain it like they have an audience whose graduated com Lauder or PhD from Harvard university. Lol

[@Juan-zr2hx]

Thank you !

[@ralf1984]

Gracias buen aporte

[@michc204]

Hi ,thanks for the video. I am a beginner, I downloaded a vocal track. I need a free sofware that can make a graph with time on the the x axis and the frequency (in hz) on the y axis because I need to know the specific pitch of the song. I can't buy any software for now, what do you suggest in this case?

[@BeatMakerSchool]

Nice tutorial and thanks so much for your help. If I remember correctly you can take a pic of it and keep it on the background, like a ghost channel and compare your mix that way as well. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[@MakeYourOwnDamnMusic]

Hey LMMS, I think your totally spot on. I've seen this done in a studio session with a pretty high profile mix engineer back in the day. Although, I have to say... if you get your curve in the same neighborhood you're usually pretty close. Thanks, for watching.

[@anthonyellis5688]

MakeYourOwnDamnMusic great tutorial it has helped me to understand my balance in my mixes thanks for sharing.

[@jasonfella265]

Hey I just read about this subject in the book "Mixing Secrets For The Small Studio." But he mentions a high-resolution spectral analyzer from Schwa, called "Schope." He said you can get much more precise will your analysis, and he uses it instead of the "boost and sweep" method, which can be tricky and time consuming. Anyway, just thought I'd mention it =)

[@keepitlo00]

That book is awesome by the way but in no means is it for beginners though.

[@CoolDudeClem]

I can't get span to work, I get an error telling me it''s not a valid vst, I don't know what valid means so I'm in the dark. Bluecat frequency analyzer works pretty well though.

[@fickbasterd]

dude this is awesome you are giving us all great advises i really love doing music with all the recording mixing mastering i ve never thought about that analyzer idea and to mix in referece of pink noise i will try this in a few days that really amazed me that you can "copy" a mix (frequece moderately) with this method thanks again for this great stuff keep it up subscription check cheers everybody a good time music forever;)))))

[@MakeYourOwnDamnMusic]

You got it, man. Happy to be contributing to your learning curve. Please don't forget about me when you're selling out stadiums. ;)

[@theprophetminstrel1597]

How do you do the videos on your computer where your audience can see the pointer and what you are highlighting in your instruction. I see that in most of the youtube videos and am wanting to do my own using ios technology.

[@adekunlehamod7374]

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!

[@didiermanzinalli8144]

Hello, I find my error ! Now, SPAN is installed.

[@HuskiesRL]

Nice video :D

[@allennunez]

. Mastered tracks curve look really nice compared to the original mix downs . Take that in consideration and trust your ears . Also eq and processing is a must . If you match the curve and your ears get tired quickly means the processing and eq is wack . My 2 cents

[@WillyJunior]

wtf are you talking about

[@DocBeasty]

anyone else having trouble getting SPAN installed? I tried doing it as a VST and as an AU and it just wont show up in logic and I can't seem to find any help on that anywhere

[@cryptowalls]

@0:54..."speak for yourself BORTHER!!"......ok nvm, it is hahahah great vid!

[@robinslive1429]

Sir....nice video ...for the live sound...is the same can apply!'!!!

[@MakeYourOwnDamnMusic]

yes

[@didiermanzinalli8144]

Hello, I try to install span on my pc (windows seven 64 bits) that I will use with cubase 5 64 bits. I run the installation file and I save the SPAN.dll file in the same folder as my other effects vst. When I want to add span as an insert effect on a channel, cubase can not find SPAN. I have other vst effects and I do not recognize this problem. Do you have the solution to my problem ? Or should the SPAN.dll file be placed? I tested with 2 versions of SPAN and I encounter the same problem. Thank you for your help.

[@darrynsantanamusic]

how to download a span spectrum analyser? having trouble 😅

[@ohmyleftside]

Miss your videos man

[@Guitariamo]

I want to create a preset on my HD500 of Angus Young's sound from Satellite Blues, do you think it would work if I isolate his guitar riff from the beginning?

[@MakeYourOwnDamnMusic]

I don't think so. You'll have to try to recreate it by ear. This technique is for multiple tracks working together.

[@juzdwymorgan822]

Nice video, that’s what I personnaly do too since I Mix in my bedroom.. but, can I ask you something? how would you get rid of the peaks we see in middle range frequencies? When I try with Eq the original sound change too much, for example brass sounds usually have peaks in their audio spectrum and the mastered track will have those peaks from the brass, if I eq the peaks the brass sound too poor. If I try with a multiband compression the peaks don’t flatten that much Do you have an idea? Thanks!

[@MakeYourOwnDamnMusic]

EQ or Multiband Compression are pretty much your 2 choices. I guess you could always turn it down in the mix if you have the session.

[@juzdwymorgan822]

MakeYourOwnDamnMusic I expected that answer but I was wondering if maybe there was something I didn’t know To turn it down enough in the mixer so the peaks doesn’t affect the master I need to turn it down to much and finally I don’t hear the track properly Anyway I’ll keep work with the EQ and Multiband compressor, thank you for the answer :)

[@dsanj4745]

​@@juzdwymorgan822 EQ or compression are NOT your only options to address peaks. In fact, they're not even your BEST options. Using a clipper on the 2bus (mix bus) just before the limiter will shave off the peaks of your mix without changing the tonal balance. You can also use a clipper on individual tracks or the drum bus to tame sharp transients.

[@kylea.5776]

Hi guys, one quick question. If i have a limiter on the master track should i use the span before or after the limiter in the effect chain. Thanks!

[@MakeYourOwnDamnMusic]

SPAN would be the last plugin in your master chain.

[@kylea.5776]

MakeYourOwnDamnMusic okay thanks :))

[@gimmy9800]

great

[@factsNcomments-imho]

So the whole point in sound mixing is to create space for every instrument and voice right? Ex when you hit hihat a kick at same time. One drowns out the other until you correct it? Right?

[@cassettepat]

Danny Dyer knows his stuff about spectrum analysers

[@eddysufi]

How to install span in cubase 5 plz mak video

[@VNOMALII]

when i download span i don't get a DLL file to put into my plug-in folder. i just receive a folder with "whats new" notepad file, application uninstaller, and a DAT file named something along the lines of "0000df" or something like that. i have tried putting the whole folder into my plug-in folder but it still doesn't work. any advice? i use ableton live 9 suite & understand the differences of 32 & 64 bit. just not getting anywhere with it at all.

[@MakeYourOwnDamnMusic]

No idea. I have not heard anyone else having this problem... myself including. Keep trying I'm sure you'll get it sorted out.

[@adonislavale8283]

I had the same problem because I downloaded the wrong file. It's this one www.voxengo.com/files/VoxengoSPAN_31_Mac_VST_VST3_setup.dmg

[@TheMightyBean321]

If you still haven't figured it out (or for anyone in the future) I think I found the solution to your problem (I kinda had it too). On Windows, the download adds a Voxengo folder to your Program Files folder, but the actual VST file is called "SPAN.dll" and is located in C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST2\Voxengo ( I believe this is the default path)

[@mikediaz4775]

Hey my name is Mike D.. You're a Good Person, Thank you, for being You, a True Person, in your Education.

[@RAFAELLO077]

curve of your favorite artist :)

[@djvoid1]

Setting the curve to 3 and playing back pink noise will give you a completely flat line.

[@MakeYourOwnDamnMusic]

Correct.

[@lonelykid7691]

lol

[@pernormann4869]

At 3:57 - my OCD kicked in...

[@agthaog1986]

i feel alot of where ur coming from but other then track comparisons i dont really see how it conveys the spacing of your room/acoustic space)

[@MakeYourOwnDamnMusic]

Correct. It's a technique for frequency peak control, and overall balancing. Absolutely useless for spacing, stereo imaging, etc.

[@roygertel]

When changing the slope in span it changes the all frequency balance. We need to see the truth as engineers, so how to set it up ? & why the slope is there if it changes the frequency balance ? When using a pink noise with the default slope at 4.5 it shows reverse readout: the low is actually "shorter" & the highs are "taller". So maybe until now when using span it didn't gave me the real readout of my mix ? I'm confused

[@MakeYourOwnDamnMusic]

Put the slope to 3.0 for a flat horizontal line. This is the "standard" position for most spectrum analyzers. Not sure why Span has their default on 4.5.

[@roygertel]

I saw that the slope to 3 was more logical, but wasn't sure if it's the most accurate position. also, I saw that the DB scale shows different values then other metering software, like insight...weird...each software shows different frequency & DB scale on the same audio material... BTW- I love your channel & watched several times your videos on the free VST plugins & use it in my projects man ! Greeting from Israel.

[@MakeYourOwnDamnMusic]

Thanks for watching, Roy.

[@TheSalothRpg]

Man u remind me Paul Adelstein/agent Paul Kellerman from Prison Break!

[@VNOMALII]

i posted the same comment just now, i swear i didnt see yours lmao.

[@TheSalothRpg]

Haha fortunately ain't the only one;]

[@VNOMALII]

i thought i was getting a tutorial from agent kellerman for a second. (only prison break fans will know)

[@droopydraco8860]

Is spectrum analyzer free??

[@MakeYourOwnDamnMusic]

yes

[@davidnika446]

Gene, (is that your name?) - In a closely related related subject, have you tried Melda Productions Autodynamic EQ? It can listen to one track, calculate its overall frequency curve, and adjust another track to match it. Here's a link to a video showing this function: kzbin.info/www/bejne/maW8i6OlmtVqrcU The video explains it way better than I can. It's not a free EQ, but it is my go-to EQ, and its spectrum matching is a very, very cool feature. If you have (or haven't) tried it, I would love your impressions!

[@MakeYourOwnDamnMusic]

Hi David, never heard of this particular brand, but am familiar with the concept. Back in my day there was a similar product, that mimicked EQ curves, and then applied them to your master track. Pretty cool concept/tools in my opinion.

[@manishwagh5798]

Video starts @ 1:42

[@nandoblondemobydick5438]

the reference does not sound fine in fact there are peaks in the spectrum which indicate that something is wrong, anyway i find it wrong to my ears not looking at the spectrum

[@juzdwymorgan822]

Nando & Blonde Moby Dick exactly what I thought, how would you get rid of those pics? When I try with Eq the original sound change too much, for example brass sounds usually have pics in their audio spectrum and the mastered track will have those pics from the brass, if I eq the pics the brass sound too poor. If I try with a multiband compression the pics don’t flatten that much Do you have an idea? Thanks :)

[@juzdwymorgan822]

Peak*

[@justrichardcarter]

@@juzdwymorgan822 give tape saturation a try. It should tame those peaks and keep the same loudness or presence you're looking for. Fabfilter Saturn or Ozone Exciter are my goto plugins for this scenario. You could also try out a transient shaper like bitter sweet which is free :)

[@juzdwymorgan822]

Richard Carter Richard Carter I already use ozone exciter but I’ll give Bitter Sweet à try, thanks for the advice 😉

[@justrichardcarter]

@@juzdwymorgan822 saturate the frequency range that is causing you the problem that might soften it up for ya :^)

[@AB-ck5tz]

I am not convinced that use a "perfect track" as a measure for eqing is the best idea. It would mean that all the tracks that you produce would sound the same based on the range of frequencies. That kills creativity. A kick has not to reach -7 db necessarily, as well as a snare should not necessarily be ranged between 700hz and 1k. But I get the thing of using a reference, it could be useful in certain situations though, especially when you have as you said a shitty room.

[@MakeYourOwnDamnMusic]

Valid points there, Paul. Thanks for sharing.

[@juzdwymorgan822]

Paul Darricarrere you seem to have some knowledge, can I ask you something? how would you get rid of the peaks we see in middle range frequencies? When I try with Eq the original sound change too much, for example brass sounds usually have peaks in their audio spectrum and the mastered track will have those peaks from the brass, if I eq the peaks the brass sound too poor. If I try with a multiband compression the peaks don’t flatten that much Do you have an idea? Thanks!

[@modernmabuse]

Just talking talking talking ...