PAZ Psychoacoustic Analyzer
Table of Contents Chapter 1................................................. Quick start .... 2 Chapter 2............................PAZ component plug-ins .... 3 Chapter 3..................................... The PAZ interfaces .... 4 Frequency window (RTA) ............ 4 Stereo Position Display (SPD) ............ 6 Level meters ............ 7 Chapter 4......................................... For fast graphics ....
Chapter 1 - Quick start PAZ is so easy to use, you can almost work from the illustration shown above! However, for a more complete understanding of what the PAZ does and why we chose certain functions, please read this manual. We suggest you use only the plug-in you need; this will give you the fastest graphic response time (if this is important to your use).
Chapter 2 - PAZ component plugs On most host applications and platforms you can select just the meter you need. In the case of the PAZ, no DSP savings are accomplished, but graphic speed is increased by using smaller component plug-ins. The PAZ has several plug-in components in the menu. They are all mono and stereo compatible and do not change the audio at all, as they are fully bit-transparent (24bit fixed point or 32bit floating point clean). Here are the current components as of this printing.
Chapter 3 - The PAZ interfaces Frequency window (RTA) Here is the PAZ frequency analyzer graph. The screen shot is taken from the PAZ-Frequency component. In other components, the row of buttons below the graph may be arranged differently, but they are functionally identical. The PAZ frequency analysis is done in bands very similar to those of the ear.
lets each band update independently as fast as possible for its frequency resolution. The real-time frequency analysis can be used for mono, dual channel, or total stereo energy by using the LR button, which switches between dual channel (L/R, independent channels) and total stereo energy (L+R). The L+R mode is not a simple summation of L and R signals, but of L and R energies. This more closely models our ears’ responses to loudness of frequencies, as the gain and pan position of a sound are independent.
Stereo Position Display (SPD) The SPD shows you the stereo energy in your mix, clearly and intuitively. This unique audio meter analyzes the distribution of loudness across the stereo stage, as well as detecting out-of-phase components. It differs from the common ‘phase display’ where left/right channels are displayed against each other on a oscilloscope screen. For those familiar with the Waves S1 Stereo Imager, the Stereo Position Display will seem familiar, as both use a polar coordinates graph.
channel at different times. In these examples, the ears do not hear a disturbing ‘out-of-phase’ sound. For us to hear an out-of-phase sound, there generally needs to be a consistent opposite polarity over a period of time, which the meter will show. The Stereo Position Display analysis takes this into account. Still there will be occasional fast spikes in the antiphase region, and you can ignore them if they are not consistent, especially if you know you are using stereo delay or similar effects.
Chapter 4 - For faster graphics Fast graphic hints Lower the number of colors in your Monitors control panel (256 instead of thousands or millions). Use only the component of the Analyzer that you really need. For instance, if all you need is the frequency analysis, then use only the “PAZ-frequency” plug-in. The full plug-in with all 3 meters will have the heaviest demand on the host computer.
