Author Topic: Spectral Analyzing or How to?  (Read 6774 times)

Unlogic Pro

  • Subsonic
  • Posts: 12
  • Honor: 0
    • sensiofficial
    • iamdjsensi
    • View Profile
Spectral Analyzing or How to?
« on: February 05, 2016, 09:35:41 am »
Hi guys.
I have a question about spectral analyzing tracks. I have a kind future bass tune, and one of my friends says there's not enough subs in the track. I took Ableton's Spectrum and I think even it shows a nice graphic.
Here's track with private link: https://soundcloud.com/sensiofficial/royal-flash/s-mFJC2
And here's screenshot of my analyzer. There's playing everything good on the lows (I think), all below 20hz I cutted with 12db high pass:

What you think?  :)

Thank for your time!

Bertie South

  • Low Mid
  • **
  • Posts: 248
  • Honor: 46
  • BERT
    • myboyfriendbob
    • View Profile
Re: Spectral Analyzing or How to?
« Reply #1 on: February 05, 2016, 04:29:01 pm »

Yo,

Spectral analysis is useful but I wouldn't rely on it alone. Whatever level you're at, your ears will always be a better guide than a picture about the general balance of frequencies in your track.


It does sound like maybe you haven't made the best possible use of the really low frequencies BUT that doesn't mean the best thing for your track right now is just to add some. I would do the following, then see where you're at:


1. Make sure there's no stereo information in your low frequencies - it sounds like you might have some because of the samples you've used or because of reverb at really low frequencies.
2. Make sure none of your channels have low-frequency information that isn't needed, as it will make your mix sound muddy.


After that your low-end should be clearer and you can work on your bassline. Maybe you can play it an octave lower, maybe you should high-pass your current bassline to keep the highs and have a sub bass underneath - play around with it and see what happens.
Drum 'n' bass mixes: https://soundcloud.com/beenisss
Neither drum 'n' bass nor mixes: https://soundcloud.com/myboyfriendbob
Mixes, but not drum 'n' bass: https://mixcloud.com/Beenis

FarleyCZ

  • Low Mid
  • **
  • Posts: 493
  • Honor: 93
    • farleycz
    • farleycz
    • View Profile
    • I tried to code a page, look!
Re: Spectral Analyzing or How to?
« Reply #2 on: February 05, 2016, 04:56:55 pm »
Bertie said it all. It's good tool for ocasional checks, but nothing to base descisions on.
"Earth is round right? Look at it from right angle and you'll be always on top of the world."
...but don't overdo it, because that's called being a d***k.

Unlogic Pro

  • Subsonic
  • Posts: 12
  • Honor: 0
    • sensiofficial
    • iamdjsensi
    • View Profile
Re: Spectral Analyzing or How to?
« Reply #3 on: February 05, 2016, 05:47:16 pm »
Thanks Bertie & Farley.  yea, I think i have some not checked sounds there on lows.
Bad thing that I can't listen my track on good monitors to check how it sounds. Only headphones. But I think i can check lows  with Lowpassing to 150hz on master  and listen only all below.

Thank you guys! Will rely on my ears next time!

FarleyCZ

  • Low Mid
  • **
  • Posts: 493
  • Honor: 93
    • farleycz
    • farleycz
    • View Profile
    • I tried to code a page, look!
Re: Spectral Analyzing or How to?
« Reply #4 on: February 06, 2016, 07:39:10 pm »
Thank you guys! Will rely on my ears next time!
Having said that, I'll probably save you a little troubhle here: Definitely trust you ears, but learn ways HOW to trust them. Referencing with favorite tracks is good method for start. Your ears can't tell (yet ... probably) what is good and what not, so make some A/Bs to find it out. :) ...and be ready to find out a big difference. That mastering everyone tries to blame for it is actually like 10% of that difference, if not less. It's all in the mix.
"Earth is round right? Look at it from right angle and you'll be always on top of the world."
...but don't overdo it, because that's called being a d***k.