Tone Spectrum Analysis & Gear Selection?

[Silence Kid]

I just watched a video where someone hooked a sine wave generator to a bunch of different pedals and was able to output the wave form, as well as the harmonic content of each.

Could one then compare that spectrum analysis to a similar analysis of the wave and harmonic construction of say, an amplifier (or guitar, or particular pickup) to create a combination that balanced/accentuated desirable frequencies in order to get one's ideal tone? Has anyone done this, or are there reasons why it's not so simple to do it?

(Seems like it would be something gear manufacturers would be able to use to their advantage in terms of marketing...)

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Tone Spectrum Analysis & Gear Selection?

I think it might have occurred to a manufacturer or two over the years. Fourier transforms, finite impulse response modeling, DSP, circuit modeling, transfer functions, etc.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Tone Spectrum Analysis & Gear Selection?

I think it might have occurred to a manufacturer or two over the years. Fourier transforms, finite impulse response modeling, DSP, circuit modeling, transfer functions, etc.

Ha; my thoughts exactly.

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Tone Spectrum Analysis & Gear Selection?

Seems like manufacturers have caught on, but not as far as say, advertising the specs of individual units rather than creating modeling tech. based off of the spectrum analysis.

Perhaps those results aren't publicized because they are unfavorable? But seems like a pedal company could say "Look at our spectrum analysis! The ____ pedal is designed to work with ____ amp/guitar, and you can *see* it on a graph, so we can prove it!"

With as much obsession as there is over gear and perceived differences in tone, it's a bit odd to me that those with the means have not plotted out such data to make available on the internet (or if they have, no one cares to look at it apparently.) Seems like the next logical step would be an hero coming out to "prove" tone woods don't/do make a difference, or set the record straight on whether a 2001 Boss DS1 actually sounds different from one made in 2002 or something.

 

[some_dude]

Re: Tone Spectrum Analysis & Gear Selection?

Seems like the next logical step would be an hero coming out to "prove" tone woods don't/do make a difference

I've seen graphs that prove wood makes a difference. Those who don't believe that wood makes a difference either ignore them or attempt to discredit them.

I think for the most part graphs won't help a whole lot. Case in point, take a look at this graph and;

1) tell me what this speaker sounds like? and,

2) tell me how it feels to play through it?

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Tone Spectrum Analysis & Gear Selection?

I'm not an expert, but the graphs produced in the video below seem different and more useable; it's useful to know what sort of wave form (asymmetrical, saw wave etc.) correlates to what pedal, and know that beforehand about whatever new pedal you're researching. There's also a plot of what harmonics pop out; odd, even where, etc. (so maybe a different plot of the above speaker frequencies could highlight this.) I get that can change depending on settings, but it's still pretty useful to know that if your amp is producing strong harmonics in a certain area, your pedal can accentuate them, or balance things out to a greater degree.

Again, I'm a novice as far as the practical aspects... (Not to derail things, but my ears had already convinced me wood selection matters )

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Tone Spectrum Analysis & Gear Selection?

Visual representations are great for understanding the math behind the sound, but i prefer to use my ears when determining if something sounds good or not. Contrarily, i seldom if ever use my ears to decide if something tastes or smells good or not.

 

[VinceT]

Re: Tone Spectrum Analysis & Gear Selection?

Silence Kid - I don't know if you're missing the point others up thread were making, but what you're suggesting is exactly what the digital modeling industry is based upon, from cab sims right through to Kemper profiler, it's all spectral analysis and response.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Tone Spectrum Analysis & Gear Selection?

I get that; I just wonder why that same information doesn't seem to be common among individuals when piecing together their gear setup. I also get using your ears, but with respect to all the debates over whether certain pieces of gear sound different/why etc., it seems that this sort of data is under-utilized. It's different if a company happens upon this data, and presents it as "magic" to the public to get a certain sound, without providing the math.

 

[Hank-]

Re: Tone Spectrum Analysis & Gear Selection?

With tube amps(speakers more importantly) & analog pedals there will be differences from unit to unit, component tolerance & selection considered. Frequency analysis could help as a starting point but considering analog components drift in value & that can affect the sound too, it won't help much. A universal "magic" formula for relative pairing of equipment in the analog realm is imo a "fantasy" unless every unit is screened for graphs data. Plus i think human ears would require to graphed too for this to work, since hearing perception varies among individuals & then the space jts being utilized in would matter too, making the whole process too complicated.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Tone Spectrum Analysis & Gear Selection?

It's different if a company happens upon this data, and presents it as "magic" to the public to get a certain sound, without providing the math.

And that's probably the more likely scenario.

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: Tone Spectrum Analysis & Gear Selection?

I get that; I just wonder why that same information doesn't seem to be common among individuals when piecing together their gear setup. I also get using your ears, but with respect to all the debates over whether certain pieces of gear sound different/why etc., it seems that this sort of data is under-utilized. It's different if a company happens upon this data, and presents it as "magic" to the public to get a certain sound, without providing the math.

Because we see how that JCM800 patch doesn't sound like my 800.

Guitarists waste enough time going through gear, why ad another aspect on paper instead of plugging something in? I leave that to the engineers who design these products and base my opinion on the end result.

I do however, encourage you to go ahead and do this if you like and draw your own conclusions.

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: Tone Spectrum Analysis & Gear Selection?

I've seen graphs that prove wood makes a difference. Those who don't believe that wood makes a difference either ignore them or attempt to discredit them.

I think for the most part graphs won't help a whole lot. Case in point, take a look at this graph and;

1) tell me what this speaker sounds like? and,

2) tell me how it feels to play through it?

90% of musicians don't know how to read / understand these graphs either. Hint: Look at the scaling.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Tone Spectrum Analysis & Gear Selection?

I think it might have occurred to a manufacturer or two over the years. Fourier transforms, finite impulse response modeling, DSP, circuit modeling, transfer functions, etc.

Hey huge +1 to this.

Call it Modeling, Cloning, Profiling, Impulse Response or whatever stupid marketing term you want, in the end it's good old fashioned Electrical Enginnering.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Tone Spectrum Analysis & Gear Selection?

Currently enrolled in Pro-Tools 201 at school. My teacher always says that you can look at a waveform all day long and EQ so that that wave looks really good on the screen. In the end though, it's not about what you see, it's what you hear and that really good looking waveform may sound ****ty.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Tone Spectrum Analysis & Gear Selection?

I like graphs. I understand what is going on, yet I know they don't tell the whole picture until I, myself, actually use the gear. The best manufacturers can 'look beyond the graph' and simulate feel as well as frequency response, and it gets better every year.