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Accurate Db readings for analyzing input

Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 8:10 am
by stevemboise
Good day.
I am new to the audio game and looking for analytical "output" from Audacity. I need to show frequency response and db readings from sound recordings of various types of equipment as recorded in an anechoic chamber. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
I am using the Beta version 1.3.12 on Windows 7 64bit. The software appears to be working nicely when viewing pre-recorded audio.
Thanks!

Re: Accurate Db readings for analyzing input

Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 11:06 am
by steve
stevemboise wrote:I need to show frequency response and db readings from sound recordings of various types of equipment as recorded in an anechoic chamber.
Can you be a bit more specific?
Frequency response is displayed in "Plot Spectrum" from the Analyze menu.
Peak dBFS can be read from the vertical track scale if you set the display to "Waveform (dB)" - click on the track name to select the type of display required.
Another way to get peak dBFS readings is to select "Amplify" from the Effect menu. This effect defaults to showing the maximum possible amplification without exceeding 0dB - in other words, the peak dBFS for the current selection is displayed.
The RMS value can be found using the "Contrast" tool (in the Analyze menu) - the "Help" button links to a web page with full details of this tool.
There is also a "Sample Printer" plug-in available if that is any use to you: http://forum.audacityteam.org/viewtopic ... 365#p92484

Re: Accurate Db readings for analyzing input

Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2010 4:20 am
by stevemboise
Thanks stevethefiddle.
Your information helped.
I'll give the Sample Printer a look. I need to take the various measurements and then generate a simple report. The text reports are okay but I'd like a more graphical representation.

Re: Accurate Db readings for analyzing input

Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2010 7:21 am
by kozikowski
Pull the frequency display as wide and tall as you can and PrintScreen. The display gives you more and more information in the window as you do that. Audacity 1.3.12 has new grid overlays that help a lot with reading the wavy lines.

Koz

Re: Accurate Db readings for analyzing input

Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2010 11:17 am
by steve
The "Plot Spectrum" Frequency Analysis tool can also export data as a text file.