Manual

23 FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual
6.5 SPECTRO LAB In Depth
In this chapter we will dig into how the SPECTRO LAB views in the Finalizer will help you analyze your audio and assist you in making accurate and fast mastering
decisions. But remember, while the SPECTRO LAB may be a very strong tool and make you see what you hear – always ears rst when making decisions!
6.5.1 Spectral Dynamic Curves (SDC)
The SDC will create the spectrum view (level vs frequency), which includes the six Spectral Dynamic Contours which together describe the full track, as described in the
SDC section. On the other hand, the RTS will show the peak and RMS levels in real-time.
The spectral dynamic contours (SDC) show the spectral and dynamic content of the audio le and provide a number of relevant things to the mastering process.
There are no rm rules or limits as such to require what the SDC of a well-mastered music track should look like. Certain music genre may have more dynamics than
other genres. And similarly with regards to the spectrum.
An example of an unmastered audio track is shown above.
• The le is an unmastered Electro-Rock track with a “drone” dominated structure - one note/chord from start to end. The fundamental note and harmonics/sub-
harmonics are clearly visible.
• As the contour curves are fairly closely spaced at the drone harmonics (40, 80, 160 Hz), we see that these frequencies in the mix have relatively little dynamics.
The reason for this can be both the sound structure, the way it’s played or the compressors and limiters applied in the mix. As it is Electro-Rock the amount or
maybe lack of dynamics may be just perfect for the genre.
• From about 1 kHz and up the curves are spaced fairly evenly, which tells us that there is clearly more dynamics in this part of the spectrum than at the
drone harmonics.
• At about 9 kHz there is a peak mainly at the 2-3 highest dynamic contours and from listening it’s clear that the Hi-hat is the dominating instrument. This is
evident, when switching the RTS on.
• At 400 Hz to 1.2 kHz there are some peaks mainly at the highest levels in the mix and they come from the lead vocal. It may be worth checking whether these
peaks stick out in the mix and could need a bit of compression or dynamic EQ.
• It should of course also be checked if the low-end energy translates well to other playback systems from ear-pods/headphones to large speaker systems. The SDC
indicates that a lo-cut EQ may be relevant.