PreSonus StudioLive 24.4.2 - Manual (Page 38)

3 Universal Control and VSL
3.6 VSL: GEQ Tab
StudioLive ™ Software Library
Reference Manual
34
In a main system, feedback is typically in the mid to low range. The
frequencies that are regenerating and creating a feedback loop
are those frequencies that are wrapping around the main system
due to the loss of directional control of lower frequencies.
When you are ringing out a system, and more than two or three feedback
loops are happening simultaneously, you have reached the level where
stability can no longer be achieved. Try bringing down the overall output level
or find a physical solution, such as moving the speaker or microphone.
3.6.8 Using the Smaart RTA While Mixing
The RTA and Spectrograph have useful applications beyond recognizing feedback
spikes. The ability to analyze frequency content—specifically, being able to
visualize the exact frequencies you are hearing in order to hone in on problem
areas— makes the RTA a secret weapon for many a mix engineer. The Smaart
Spectra tools also lend themselves very well to ear training and give you confidence
that you are choosing the right frequencies when making adjustments.
Because the RTA/Spectrograph is analyzing the bus signal digitally, room and speaker
anomalies are taken out of the equation. This provides a pure measurement of
your mix because you are measuring what is happening inside your StudioLive.
A Spectrograph shows the broadband information of a signal, making it easy to
view the fundamental frequency of a source, as well as its harmonic structure.
The RTA is a view of amplitude and frequency content over a specified plane.
With the Spectrograph, you can view what is happening in your signal now, at the
same time you are viewing what happened moments before. In contrast, there
is no history information for the RTA: Once an event happens, it goes away.
Power User Tip: Both the RTA and Spectrograph views are useful in understanding what
the spectral content of an instrument is when creating space for that instrument in a mix.
How you use these tools to achieve an objective is a matter of your subjective, or creative,
goals. Trust your ears and use the Spectra tools to verify what you are hearing.
Here is a mix of drums, bass, guitar, and male vocal
viewed by the RTA in VSL. In the first image, you will
notice a spike at 500 Hz. This correlated directly with an
edgy-sounding lead guitar that was competing with the
male vocal.
After making some adjustments to the guitar so it
would sit better in the mix, that spike went away:
Power User Tip: It should be noted that neither a
Spectrograph nor an RTA can be used as a substitute for
careful listening. While these tools provide a great visual
analysis of your mix, critical listening must always be your
main guide.