I have the software but I have NO idea where to even start and how to use it.

I'd love to give us some graphs of movies we are always talking about....can anyone help me :)

(I promise I'm a fast learn and I AM computer literate!!)

kweezr has screen grabs showing his Spectral Lab settings here:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v24/weezR/spectrum%20lab/

Although the version of the software I recently downloaded has things on different tabs than his.

I was able to get the right spectrum and stretch/slide it to the same position he uses as well.

Then, you hook up your SPL meter to the computer, set it to 80dB, and let it "record" data for whatever you are watching.

I think there is also a way to capture directly from the DVD itself as well.

kweezr has screen grabs showing his Spectral Lab settings here:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v24/weezR/spectrum%20lab/

Although the version of the software I recently downloaded has things on different tabs than his.

I was able to get the right spectrum and stretch/slide it to the same position he uses as well.

Then, you hook up your SPL meter to the computer, set it to 80dB, and let it "record" data for whatever you are watching.

I think there is also a way to capture directly from the DVD itself as well.


ya I'm having a ton of trouble trying to do it right from DVD. that is really the only way I can do it because my HT is not even CLOSE to my computer....so a hook up is impossible.......so is an SPL meter hook up....i'd need a 100ft wire! LOL I'll keep playin to see if i can get the direct dvd option to work...

Bgilly,

I'm not sure if the version you're using is the same as mine, but on mine there are not too many settings to make before you can get a basic waterfall chart direct from DVD happening.

Make sure that the input is from the right place (under Options -- Audio in my version) and then start the recording thread. If you have set up the input to record from your sound card, you can then just start up your DVD scene and away you go. Any sound coming out of your speakers will also be graphed by Spectrum Lab.

After you get it working, you can toy with some of the settings to change the dB scale, frequency range, etc.

What have you tried so far?

Sorry to revive such an old thread, but I'm also having problems configuring Spectrum Lab on my computer. I have gone through and adjusted all of the settings as shown on kweezer's page, although I think I have a newer version.

I am attempting to analyze something playing directly on my computer. The only thing I can guess is that I have an external sound card, but that shouldn't matter since the imput/output settings are set to the card. Even more frustratingly, I was able to get Spectrum Lab to analyze a .WAV file, but for only the first 5 or 10 seconds or so. Now it won't even work using it that way or playing the track directly off the CD through foobar or Windows Media player.

This software is seriously getting on my nerves.

As well as setting up Spectrum Lab correctly, you also have to make sure Windows is correctly set up. Normally when you open your Volume Control you get a set of sliders to adjust the relative *playback* volume of .wav files, MIDI, etc. You have to make sure the *recording* volume and device are set correctly too. On my XP machine, 1 double-click my volume control icon in the system tray, go to the Options menu and select Properties, and then select the Adjust volume for Recording option. I then have to set my recording device to "Stereo Mix" to get things working correctly.

Let us know how it works out. Anyone who gets SpecLab working can add to the waterfall chart data here, and we all get to benefit!

Yes... we are looking for help on the waterfall thread!

Deep Bass? Find out here! (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=605496)

Thanks,

Thanks for the help. Unfortunately, they did not get my Spectrum Lab to work. It's as if it simply isn't getting any audio feed in despite having all of the imput devices set correctly. I even disabled my external sound card and used the one in my notebook, and changed the imput devices accordingly. Still nothing. :(

After you have started a sound thread, what do the options in the Start/Stop menu look like? Does your audio card show up as active? Also, if you select Options | Volume control for "Record", what settings do you have selected?

This is a fun piece of software, and once you get it up and running I think you'll enjoy it.

There is an error in those screenshots. In the audio I/O tab the sample rate is set to 44khz. If you're analyzing DVD internally (not with mic), all measured frequencies will be off by ~10%. I've confirmed this with known plots like Blackhawk down and the multiple bass "lines" in "fking Irene" scene.


kweezr has screen grabs showing his Spectral Lab settings here:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v24/weezR/spectrum%20lab/

Although the version of the software I recently downloaded has things on different tabs than his.

I was able to get the right spectrum and stretch/slide it to the same position he uses as well.

Then, you hook up your SPL meter to the computer, set it to 80dB, and let it "record" data for whatever you are watching.

I think there is also a way to capture directly from the DVD itself as well.

After you have started a sound thread, what do the options in the Start/Stop menu look like? Does your audio card show up as active? Also, if you select Options | Volume control for "Record", what settings do you have selected?
After starting a thread, options are as follows:
"Start sound thread" - checked
"Spectrum analyzer #1" - checked
"audio imput: passive"
"audio output: to DAC, not active"

If I open up the "Options | Volume control for 'Record'", there doesn't seem to be any options beyond volume control, which I have turned up all the way and the "select" box is checked. It also indicates that it is for my external SB Live! 24-bit External sound card from Sound Blaster.

Sounds like the "audio imput: passive" is the problem. Why would it be displaying this if my sound card is properly selected in the "audio 1/0" menu tab? ...frustrating. :(

This is a fun piece of software, and once you get it up and running I think you'll enjoy it.
Thanks again for the help.

Interestingly enough, I just got Spectrum Lab to play WAV files of the tracks I'm attempting to analyze. It plays the music, and the options in the Start/Stop menu look like "audio imput: From WAV file, active". However, it still isn't graphing anything. :rolleyes:

Hm, I'm wondering if the problem lies somewhere in your sound card software. I have an older Sound Blaster, and the Mixer software for it lets me set the "record" settings. Have you tried looking there?

when mine wasnt producing any waterfalls, updating my sound card driver did the trick.

I also hooked a small thin cable from the dvd drive to the sound card.