Metric Halo SpectraFoo Version 1.5 - Manual (Page 3)

tem, you have to wait for the analyzer to make many captures, transform them and average them before you see the
results.
With traditional transformation algorithms, the rate at which the signal is transformed is constrained by the spacing
of the spectral lines. As a result, many professionals who work in the creative side of audio have resorted to using
low-resolution RTA-type analyzers to get real-time information. SpectraFoo utilizes patent pending technology to
decouple the transformation resolution from the transformation rate. As a result, SpectraFoo is
fast, fast, fast! It can
perform multichannel FFTs up to 84 times a second, allowing you to see spectral features as small as 5 Hz wide while
staying absolutely synchronized with the source material. This allows you to experience and analyze sonic events
simultaneously!
In addition to its unmatched realtime performance, SpectraFoo also provides a full suite of highly precise quantita-
tive analysis tools, including a capture and storage system which is seamlessly integrated into the monitoring envi-
ronment. All of the intuitive knowledge you have gained via synesthesia can be leveraged on top of the quantitative
measurements that SpectraFoo provides.
The following is a quick start guide that provides an overview of SpectraFoo’s features and capabilities. This guide
assumes that you have a basic working knowledge of the MacOS and its standard techniques. If you are new to the
MacOS, you should consult your Apple documentation before continuing.
System Requirements
1. A PowerPC-based Macintosh compatible computer. SpectraFoo will not run on 68k based machines. PCI-based
computer is recommended. G3-based (or 9600/8600 @ 300 Mhz or more) machines are the ultimate platform for
SpectraFoo.
2. 2nd Level Cache is highly recommended – the more, the better. SpectraFoo will run without 2nd level cache but
performance will suffer dramatically.
3. SpectraFoo will run with about 6 MB of available memory comfortably. This means that with current systems, 16
MB is the minimum requirement for RAM. However, if you plan to do extensive captures, RAM requirements
increase dramatically. Stereo audio requires about 150 kB/sec plus some extra overhead for SpectraFoo to format the
capture.
4. The Delay Finder requires at least 2.5 MB of additional RAM to function properly. The Delay Finder is a utility
that allows you to identify and compensate for propagation delays when doing transfer function based testing.
5. SpectraFoo supports MacOS Systems: 7.5.3 – 8.1. Other versions of the system software may be usable but have
not yet been certified.
6. SpectraFoo works best on a color monitor with a color depth of 256 colors. SpectraFoo will work with any mon-
itor resolution, but 1024x768 or greater is recommended. If you are not sure about how to adjust your monitor, con-
sult your Macintosh documentation.
7. SpectraFoo is compatible with networking, file-sharing, most third-party extensions, and almost everything that
you would like to have on your computer. We make very few demands.Unfortunately, RAMDoubler and virtual
memory are not currently supported.
8. If you want to do analysis referenced to external timecode, you need to have OMS (Open Music System) installed.
OMS is available from Opcode Music Systems and can be freely downloaded from their website
(http://www.opcode.com). Unfortunately, FreeMIDI does not appear to support the Opcode Timing System, so you
cannot use FreeMIDI in OMS compatibility mode to acquire timecode with SpectraFoo. You will also need hardware
capable of generating MIDI Time Code (MTC).
SpectraFoo Operation Guide 2