Author Topic: Spectrum Analyzer/VU Meter/ Display  (Read 2397 times)

Offline malloy

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Spectrum Analyzer/VU Meter/ Display
« on: March 29, 2020, 07:50:11 PM »
After reading the thread on the Sony stack and being stuck inside the house for more than two weeks now, I've decided that I want to relive the 1980s.

Any suggestions on how I can add a spectrum analyzer/visualizer with displays like these without totally compromising the sound? Not looking for any studio quality accuracy or aiming to correct any frequencies, I just want to have a pretty display, the gaudier, brighter, and tackier, the better!





Paul

Offline Barry (NJ)

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Re: Spectrum Analyzer/VU Meter/ Display
« Reply #1 on: March 30, 2020, 06:01:06 AM »
You could run it off a secondary output of your pre-amp(?) May have a slight affect on the signal, you'd need to listen I suppose...
I believe they also make lights that have a mic connected to them and they alter color brightness via sound waves(?)
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Offline Barry (NJ)

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Re: Spectrum Analyzer/VU Meter/ Display
« Reply #2 on: March 30, 2020, 08:58:58 AM »
Happiness is when your system overcomes your nervosa ;) 
So much media, so little time... My Media Room...

Offline Barry (NJ)

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Re: Spectrum Analyzer/VU Meter/ Display
« Reply #3 on: March 30, 2020, 09:29:40 AM »
« Last Edit: March 30, 2020, 09:45:02 AM by Barry (NJ) »
Happiness is when your system overcomes your nervosa ;) 
So much media, so little time... My Media Room...

Offline Barry (NJ)

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Re: Spectrum Analyzer/VU Meter/ Display
« Reply #4 on: March 30, 2020, 09:58:48 AM »
This is pretty cool and requires much less work than that last one. Available on eBay
Happiness is when your system overcomes your nervosa ;) 
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Offline malloy

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Re: Spectrum Analyzer/VU Meter/ Display
« Reply #5 on: March 31, 2020, 12:53:57 PM »
Thanks for the replies, Barry.   :thumb:

I also found this vu meter clock that has a mic that powers from a USB: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZ7IUGOoQW4

This is very interesting and nostalgic stuff for me. Back in the 80s before I got really sucked into this hobby, I thought the more bells and whistles and lights a component had, the better it sounded!

I have used so-so displays (via PC screen) with music player software such as Foobar or Audacious, but real lcd displays are so much better!

Looking at Amazon and eBay ,it looks like I'm not the only one interested in this stuff, there seems to be a whole subculture and niche market for these things.


Offline Barry (NJ)

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Re: Spectrum Analyzer/VU Meter/ Display
« Reply #6 on: March 31, 2020, 01:44:08 PM »
Happiness is when your system overcomes your nervosa ;) 
So much media, so little time... My Media Room...

Offline malloy

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Re: Spectrum Analyzer/VU Meter/ Display
« Reply #7 on: March 31, 2020, 02:59:04 PM »
Whoah!

If it's good enough for someone with YBA, Naim and tubed monoblocks (what are those anyway?), it's good enough for me!


Offline onetwothree456

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Re: Spectrum Analyzer/VU Meter/ Display
« Reply #8 on: April 13, 2020, 09:59:03 AM »
There's a free VU meter app for Android that I use for the aesthetic value.  One change choose the 'skin' and VU meter shape, round or square.  Of course it's only as accurate as the mic in the device but it's a whole bunch easier than connecting to a signal source.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bti.soundMeter&hl=en_US

Offline rollo

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Re: Spectrum Analyzer/VU Meter/ Display
« Reply #9 on: April 13, 2020, 02:06:33 PM »
There's a free VU meter app for Android that I use for the aesthetic value.  One change choose the 'skin' and VU meter shape, round or square.  Of course it's only as accurate as the mic in the device but it's a whole bunch easier than connecting to a signal source.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bti.soundMeter&hl=en_US


  Thanks good to know.

charles
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Offline Nick B

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Re: Spectrum Analyzer/VU Meter/ Display
« Reply #10 on: April 13, 2020, 05:28:09 PM »
There's a free VU meter app for Android that I use for the aesthetic value.  One change choose the 'skin' and VU meter shape, round or square.  Of course it's only as accurate as the mic in the device but it's a whole bunch easier than connecting to a signal source.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bti.soundMeter&hl=en_US

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