SpectraFoo provides all of the tools today's digital
projects demand. Whether you are a live sound engineer or a
studio mixer, you need the power that Foo provides. Including
standards-based level metering, high-speed, high-resolution
spectral analysis, the unique Phase Torch, correlation metering,
triggerable waveform display, power balancing and a variety of
power, envelope and spectral histories and phase analysis on any
number of input or output channels, the SpectraFoo range is
absolutely essential for broadcast production and critical mixing
& mastering.
SpectraFoo is a collection of award-winning, high resolution
metering tools in both standalone and DAW Plug-In configurations.
SpectraFoo includes basic, sample-accurate metering, triggerable
waveform display, power balancing and phase analysis on any
number of input or output channels.
Features
- Lissajous phase scopes (X-Y, vectorscope and stereo field
display modes)
- Full featured audio frequency oscilloscopes
- Power balance meters
- Full featured level meters with physical unit
calibration
- Full featured audio spectrum analyzers
- Spectragram spectral history meters
- Correlation meters
- Correlation history meters
- Phase Torch frequency-sensitive phase meters
- Envelope history meters
- Band Limited history meters
SpectraFoo was designed to provide all of the tools you need
for a powerful suite of digital meters, with all of the
resolution of hardware meters at a fraction of the price. With
more than 15 individual metering tools, SpectraFoo gives you all
of the information you need to analyze and prepare your audio,
for production, performance, mastering, or broadcast.was created
for live sound engineers, musicians, post-production houses, and
broadcast facilities.
Digital Level Meter
This three-in-one digital level meter can simultaneously
display Peak, RMS, and VU levels. The meter uses color to
distinguish the different modes. The Peak and RMS meters each
have independent, resettable peak hold functions. The meter also
contains a numerical counter that indicates the largest number of
consecutive samples surpassing 0dBFS. The calibration of the
meters is referenced against 0dBFS.
Lissajous Phase Scope
The Lissajous Phase Scope shows you the amplitude of the first
input signal versus the amplitude of the second input signal.
This instantly lets you know if a mix has polarity problems and
allows you to see the width of the stereo field of the material
being monitored.
Power Balance History
Compare the power balance between the two input channels as a
function of time. The Power Balance History meter is very helpful
for precisely identifying the aspects of mixes that don't
have a natural flow of energy between the left and right
channels. It is also great for power-balancing natural stereo
recordings and two channel measurements of equipment.
Spectragraph
See spectral performance with widths as small as 2/3 Hz with
Foo's realtime, high resolution spectrum analyzer. SpectraFoo
creates a new analysis up to 84 times per second, allowing you to
see musical structure even at the highest tempos.
Customizable with Peak, Instantaneous, and Average
traces, the Spectragraph is fast enough to create a highly
detailed, animated "movie" of sonic events. Visualize
your audio with the Sp
ectragraph and see details of your
recordings you've never seen before - like phase structure,
overall spectral balance, dynamic range, frequency range, and low
frequency roll-off.
Spectragram
This Real-Time Spectral Power History Analyzer utilizes
the same FFT resolution and scale as the Spectragraph to
correlate not only frequency and power, but also time. The result
is a visual ";sonic fingerprint". Like the
Spectragraph, the true power of this instrument lies in its
synchronization with the live audio signal. After spending some
time "calibrating your eyes to your ears" by watching
the Spectragram while listening to music, the instrument
literally becomes a waterfall of musical information.
This tool is very effective for precisely identifying
frequency overlap and masking effects, such as a bass drum track
and a bass track occupying the same frequency range and obscuring
each other. It gives you a good picture of the rhythmic aspects
of program material and is very helpful in pinpointing timing
problems in dense arrangements. The Spectragram represents the
power of frequency events through a color scale.
Correlation History
The Correlation History provides you with a time history of
the correlation meter. See how the phase correlation evolves over
time and track down specific problems while you're listening
to the events. If the correlation dips every time the snare drum
hits, it is very likely that the channels that contain the snare
are causing the problem.
Correlation Meter
The Correlation Meter reduces the relative phase information
between two channels to a number between -1 and 1.The centerline
corresponds to a correlation of 0 while the top edge corresponds
to +1 and the bottom to -1. Dock the Correlation Meter to the
left side of the History Meter and provide both instantaneous and
historical data in one composite instrument.
Band Power History
This instrument allows you to see the history of the amount of
power in a specified band of the spectrum. Just set the center
frequency and the bandwidth of the power band that you are
interested in monitoring, down to 1/12 of an octave at 6kHz and
use the Band Power History tool as a very effective sibilance
meter.
Phase Torch™
This revolutionary tool compares the phase difference between
two channels as a function of frequency, independent of power.
The radius from the center is determined by the frequency and the
angle is determined by the phase difference between the left and
right channels. The center of the graph represents DC while the
outer radius represents 22 kHz . In order to help you intuitively
identify the frequencies, the phase points are also colored
according to their frequency. A mono (in-phase) signal is
indicated by what looks like a torch precisely aligned with the Y
axis of the scope. An out-of-phase signal appears as
a negative version of a mono signal. Delays appear as spirals
within the scope. This meter is very useful when recording a
musical instrument with multiple microphones to identify the
frequency ranges in which phase cancellations are occurring as a
result of the comb filter created by the use of multiple mics on
a single source.
The Phase Torch can also be used as a very quick and elegant
troubleshooting tool for identifying phase anomalies in studio
wiring, and a number of other applications including:
- Setting azimuth on analog tape recorders
- Checking for time alignment in complex PA systems
- Frequency sensitive mono compatibility analysis
- Identifying frequency dependent phase and polarity problems
(such as an out of polarity high frequency driver in a sound
reinforcement system)
Envelope History
Calibrate your eyes with this sample-editor style
scrolling envelope overview. The Envelope History tool is useful
for identifying large level changes when the average level is
high. It should be used in conjunction with the Peak and Average
History display to obtain a good view of the overall dynamics of
program material.
Timecode Clock
The timecode clock can lock to external timecode sources such
as tape machines with SMPTE or any other device capable of
producing MIDI Time Code. In addition, the clock can lock to the
computer's internal clock or the computer's CD drive.
The format of the timecode readout is the standard SMPTE
HH:MM:SS.FF. SpectraFoo will reference all recorded captures to
timecode.
Peak and RMS Power History
See the history of the information displayed by the Peak and
RMS meters. The light grey "tick" marks indicate the
passage of one second of time, and the height of the each color
for each time "slice" indicates the Peak (yellow)
& RMS (purple) power levels of the program. The ratio between
these two levels is responsible for the "perceived"
volume" of program material. When there is a large
difference between the Peak and RMS levels of program material,
the perceived volume will be low as compared to the peak levels
on the tape. Conversely, when the difference between Peak and RMS
levels is small, the perceived volume will be louder. This
instrument can help you determine how much compression and
limiting is needed for specific program material.
Triggering Oscilloscope
See the wave shape characteristics of very low level signals
with the full featured oscilloscope. The oscilloscope can trigger
and hold the wave form of the signal being monitored. There are
are seven available trigger modes:
- Free: automatically retriggers on the internal clock;
- Normal: triggers the drawing trace once channel input matches
your trigger settings
- Hold: triggers a drawing trace and holds the signal until
rearmed
- Hold and Retrigger: same as Hold, but the trigger is
automatically rearmed
- Timed Hold: same as Hold, but the trigger is automatically
rearmed after the desired "retrigger time"
- Polarity Check: same as Hold, but displays all the data prior
to the trigger point and triggers on either polarity and either
slope
- Timed Polarity Check: rearms after the desired
"retrigger time"
- Clip Capture: same as Polarity Check but triggers when signal
reaches full scale
- Timed Clip: Capture rearms after the desired "retrigger
time"
Audio professionals are using SpectraFoo every day to solve
real world problems. Whether you have to match the EQ of two
different tracks, create a synthetic sound to match an original
sample, or tune a room, SpectraFoo will help you get it done
faster and better. You can use Foo in tracking, recording, mixing
and mastering sessions as well as during the setup and mixing of
live shows.
System Requirements
- PowerPC Mac OS running OSX
- G3 or higher Recommended
- Audio I/O is available via the Sound Manager, DirectI/O and
ASIO
800-834-5986
