CHAPTER 21. LIVE AUDIO EFFECT REFERENCE
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The Avg slider allows you to specify how many blocks of samples will be averaged for each
update of the display. With a setting of one, each block is shown. This results in much more
activity in the display, which can be useful for nding the spectrum of short peaks. As you
increase the Avg value, the display updates more smoothly, providing an average of the
spectrum over time. This is more consistent with the way we actually hear.
The Graph button switches between displaying the spectrum as a single interpolated line
and discrete frequency bins.
The Scale X buttons allow you to toggle the scaling of the frequency display between
linear, logarithmic, and semitone. Note that logarithmic and semitone are actually the same
scaling, but switch the legending at the top of the display between Hertz and note names.
Linear scaling is particularly useful for detailed analysis of high frequencies.
As you move your mouse over Spectrum's display, a box appears that shows the amplitude,
frequency and note name at the pointer's position. The Range/Auto button at the bottom left
of Spectrum's interface toggles between manually and automatically adjusting the display's
dynamic range. With Range selected, you can zoom and scroll the amplitude by moving
your mouse over the amplitude legending on the display's left side. Drag vertically to scroll
and horizontally to zoom. You can also use the Range sliders to set the minimum and
maximum amplitude values shown. With Auto selected, the display automatically scales
itself based on the incoming audio level. Note that in Auto mode, the Range sliders and
zooming are disabled.
To get an even better view, you can toggle the location of the display between the device
chain and Live's main window by clicking the
button in Spectrum's title bar.
