• Registered: 2025-01-10
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Topic: Feature Request: Continuous Spectrum Analyzer Plot (no Octave bands)

Hi all, not sure if this came up already but it would be great to have this option on Digicheck NG. While a simulated bar LED bar graph serves it's purpose, I could definitely use a higher resolution analyzer plot with averaging and smoothing options. I'm actually surprised this was never implemented so I believe there might something else here to consider that I'm not aware.

A spectrum analyzer plot would also help integrate NG in a RTA and "room EQ" workflow.
Besides, it would be great for filter characterization and high resolution signal analysis.
Of course this could also mean including a spectrogram. What are RME's thoughts on these options?

Best,
Carlos

  • Kubrak
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  • Registered: 2023-08-03
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Re: Feature Request: Continuous Spectrum Analyzer Plot (no Octave bands)

The thing is calculation is, IMHO, done in interface, not in computer. And FFT is resource hungry. So, if many interfaces do not have RoomEQ because of lack of computational resources... I doubt FFT based Spectrum Analyzer would fit in limited computational resources.....

One may use Spectrum Analyzers in DAWs, plugins and so on.

FF UCX II, Digiface USB, Babyface Pro FS
  • Registered: 2025-01-10
  • Posts: 3

Re: Feature Request: Continuous Spectrum Analyzer Plot (no Octave bands)

That makes sense. For some reason I thought the interface was outputting all the data for NG display over USB and the computer was doing the math. If everything is being done inside the Spartan FPGA then I guess it is asking too much for an FFT like you said.
Thanks!

  • Kubrak
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Re: Feature Request: Continuous Spectrum Analyzer Plot (no Octave bands)

I think, FPGA does most/all computations, but only RME knows exactly.

FF UCX II, Digiface USB, Babyface Pro FS

5 Reply by MC

  • MC
  • MC
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  • From: Germany/Thailand
  • Registered: 2007-04-06
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Re: Feature Request: Continuous Spectrum Analyzer Plot (no Octave bands)

This often gets mixed up. Originally DIGICheck had an option to talk directly to the interface, called Hardware Level. It received the pre-calculated peak and RMS values directly from the hardware. Other stuff like Analyzer and Vector Scope can not be handled in the old FPGAs, and need every sample, so there ASIO is needed.

Over the years the CPUs got more and more powerful, so in DigiCheck NG the 'Hardware level' option no longer exists.

Our filter band-based analyzer was (and is) quite special and useful in many ways. FFT based analyzers exist more than stars in the universe...no need to add this to DC NG. But we do have plans to add a Spectrogram. A really good one, of course.

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

MC's Website

  • Registered: 2025-01-10
  • Posts: 3

Re: Feature Request: Continuous Spectrum Analyzer Plot (no Octave bands)

we do have plans to add a Spectrogram. A really good one, of course.

This is really great news !

OK, so thanks for clearing that out. The filter band-based analyzer is useful indeed, I wasn't proposing an exchange for an FFT one. It's more of a tool that could also be included. While I know there are many softwares doing it, having it on DIGIcheck would mean not having to have an extra open software since I already have the signal analysis screen filled with DIGIcheck's panels. It's quite useful for mastering having the spectrogram + FFT analyzer on the side screen, however, for the moment I still have to organize panels between Wavelab's 'Supervision' plugin and DIGIcheck. If I'm listening to external sources then it becomes impractical to open Reaper, for example, just to be able to load some analysis plugin chain, while I could discard it if I had the FFT on DIGIcheck.

I know this might sound like preciousness from my part, having a tool like DIGIcheck is already godsend and asking for extras sounds picky enough. Since you're considering a (really good) spectrogram, I think I can live with that smile

Thank you!

  • Kubrak
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Re: Feature Request: Continuous Spectrum Analyzer Plot (no Octave bands)

@MC thanks for explanation. And I am looking forward for RME way Spectrogram comming one day in future.

The osciloscope feature is so great. And also my little son loves it very much. :-)

FF UCX II, Digiface USB, Babyface Pro FS