How to Use Frequency Analyzers (The Right Way)

Frequency analyzers can be a useful tool. But they can also lead you down the wrong path, encouraging you to fix "problems' that aren't really there.
What's the best way to use them in your mixes and masters? Justin Colletti offers three key approaches to using them productively so they don't encourage you to turn your music into bland mush.
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[@kelainefes]

I use a frequency analyser to find the fundamental note of toms which I usually boost while cutting the 3rd harmonic. Could also use it on a snare to find a resonant tone that I don't like. On vocals I use it to find the resonant peaks of the harsh S. I might take a look at the spectrums of the instrumental bus and the vocal bus one on top of the other to see if the reason the vocals are not clear enough is due to some masking.

[@boyreporter]

last night i used SPAN and saw that my project immediately had an IDENTICAL curve to my target reference (Mr. Brightside). never had that happen before; i was psyched. then i went and listened; the distribution across instruments was just wildly different. :) just discovered this channel; really well done. much thanks.

[@liquidsolids9415]

Great advice, as usual. I hadn’t thought about the room aspect. Thanks, Justin! 🎸👍

[@anonagain]

Always helpful - thanks Justin, and Happy New Year to you!

[@SonicScoop]

Right back at you! -Justin

[@dougr5187]

Very thoughtful arguments and useful ideas - many thanks Justin.

[@tomtwose7379]

Absolutely nailed it. The fundamental piece/s of knowledge needed for mindset when decision making on mix/master.... Cheers

[@StratsRUs]

You are truly a great communicator and teacher.Thank you

[@somethingsomething3248]

Excellent video. The revelation that the frequency analyzer could give me information about my listening environment was huge. Such an eye-opening yet concise video. Thanks! :)

[@Skimatik_DnB]

I started on the first (bad )way amd found the second way with the growth of my confidence 🙌 thanks for sharing ✌️💚☯️

[@user-gj5nk7gm6r]

I mainly use analyzers to double-check my mistakes. For example, sometimes the snare drum can "obscure" the voice. Let's say I think that I have eliminated the frequency conflict, but still something bothers me, then I can use the analyzer in order to understand where exactly I can improve the work done earlier. In general, they help to take a closer look at possible problems.

[@peterm3352]

First I use them for my room, setting up the speakers and master EQ. Pink noise and freq sweep. KRK has an nice free app. Second to find out what the strange sound in the mix is as you mentioned. And last just for the looks in the studio :-)

[@kudus9235]

Frequency analiser SPAN helps me a lot with some problems with my low-end in my records.

[@imitacionfake8095]

Hi Justin! Thanks for all your content you make for KZbin. I have only few subscriptions here and your channel is one of that few. So my question is how can I make decisions about the low end and a whole sound of music I'm using as a reference relying on its sound after stages of mixing and mastering? I mean how can I chose my sound referencing to a sound which is already far away from its raw conditions? I hope my English is good enough to translate my idea. Thanks

[@shanehen]

Look at your mix and your reference tracks through the analyzer. Comparing the two can help verify problems you’re hearing (or perhaps not hearing).

[@cachelesssociety5187]

So right on many levels. To me it says something about all the hasty reliance on technology in general - not just in music. The natural way is the best way - and we're far from understanding the holistic ways our minds can come to a good decision. If the goal is to make something sound better, we can only barely mathematically or algorithmically describe a few isolated parts of it (take for example the Gullfoss plugin which does a couple of things, but has no way in it's algorithm to define "overuse" or too high a setting). I had a friend who had done some original mastering of a Zeppelin CD, and afterwards someone re-mastered it. There was a forum in which the vast majority felt that his work was superior to the remaster - I'm sure it was because he LIVED the early sixties mixing and mastering journey, apprenticing under the greats, and basically inhaled a bunch of revelations for himself. I don't think he could impart that. Faced with the prospect that either politicians or AI will get the majority of management overlording decisions, it doesn't look pretty. It would be better if the less heard voices had more say.

[@TheSpunR4D]

Thank you big much. I am working on the keystone song that must be right for a solid foundation of a 13 song album that will go platinum.

[@hphughes5858]

very informative.... I plan to view more of your info... Yes, I've used analyzers for many many years. I totally agree with your impression of uses for eq. My problem today is getting my Goldline ASA10B calibrated. I'm having trouble finding someone to send it out to. New Bedford Ma is no longer is service. I haven't used it in a year and it is not responding to audio sound even with new batteries. I must tap on the microphone to get a reading. Any thoughts as to where I can send it for repair... I use it to "tune the room" prior to playing music live.

[@henryssurfshowcase]

Good video thanks, I like to use sometimes on solo to see where exactly are the instruments sitting in the EQ. So sometimes instead of boosting the highs on everything if needed, maybe a Hihatt, cymbals, or pop of a snare can fill that in?

[@geniustracks9213]

Awesome video! I think that podcast mic could use a Waves Deesser 🤪

[@joaoantoniovione484]

I was about to say I didn't use freq. analyzers... Until I remembered there's one on the background of ReaEQ. I seldom give it attention tho, and I've been doing my broader EQ moves on my desk. Also been wanting an RTA rack for a while, figured now's the time xD I'd love to see a video on... song sequences for an album release. Should the better recorded one be the first one, or a previous single release... how should an eventual storytelling arch behave like...? IIRC on vinyl it used to be the case that the more dynamic song would be on the edge, while those on the acoustic/quieter side went near the center. How I (or anyone else) as a producer could have a say on song selection, are there any tips for better informed decisions, guidelines...? Any thoughts are appreciated. Always a pleasure to join Justin's podcasts. Cheers from Brazil.

[@markhopkins5352]

I’d love to know what you think about headphone correcting plugins. I recently downloaded TB Morphit bc I hate the way the Sennheiser HD280 Pros sound and it made a huge difference but not sure it’s a smart move since the mix sounds totally different when the plug-in is off 🥴

[@user-mn1qk9nt8s]

Thank's Justin.Can Sorarworks be used for comparison?

[@rjreddenbaker4351]

When I began using one the first thing it taught me was where the holes in my hearing were. At 52, after years of loud music and marriage I have some higher frequencies that I am really not hearing as well as I used to, but at least having learned where I needed to be careful I can now pretty much just use it right near the end just to make sure nothing crazy is going on and my ears are hearing what I think they are hearing. Thanks!

[@acmeyakko]

I suppose this is confirmation of what I'm already doing. I often use analyzers to find a problem frequency. For example, I had an acoustic guitar that had a nasty tone when hitting a certain note. I wanted to pinpoint it and deal with it without damaging an otherwise good recording. Turns out I was easily able to find very sharp, low bandwidth spikes at 4k and 8k, tuck those in (DS2 in Scheps Omni Channel in that case), and all went well. Similar to others, I will also use it at times to find the fundamental of percussive instruments, so I know a bit more about how to manage them. That said, I rarely open a frequency analyzer while working, it's mostly a utility for pinpointing specific things, then it drops off the insert on a track and it's done. I actually don't use them at all on the mix bus.

[@ReynaldoIvanPena]

No link to the axino rack mixer plug-in? 2:11

[@JayThomasofficial]

Are frequency analyzers the same as oscilloscopes?

[@grsfhhytff]

I use one on the master bus and compare it to my references to make sure I'm not wildly out of control. What l tend to notice is that most of my references have a steep cut off around 19k

[@redbigapplefloppa302]

!!VIDEO START 2:28 😊

[@larrycavallucci3258]

I normally like your videos. BUT-----Can't believe that you talked through 15 minutes, and didn't do a "Show and Tell". I'm looking to use a waveform analyzer to place AFTER my Waves MV2, to actually SEE the changes in the dynamic range, i.e. on a vocal track. Any plugin suggestions for those? I have alot of Waves, Izotope, Plugin Alliance, and Hornet plugins, so I dont want to buy another plugin if I dont have to. Thanks....

[@SonicScoop]

I hear you, but it is a podcast episode! More of a listening format where we go over concepts than a showing format. People who listen to this in the car and stuff can't see the screen unfortunately :-) The iZotope EQ you already have a has a pretty decent frequency analyzer, and the Plugin Alliance Hawk Eye that comes with their subscription bundle is one of the best and most fully featured out there! Hope that helps, Justin

[@MrAdrianloera]

Bro yes... but no 🥺 How did you needing a grandpa so fast 😞

[@Emrico35]

Always use 432hz 440hz is bad for ears