Case study · Sep 4, 2026 · 9 min read
Clipping vs True Peak
One real whistle recording, two controlled gain variants, and the measured difference between limited headroom, sample clipping, and reconstructed True Peak.
↗The field guide to visible soundAudio analysis,
Audio analysis,
made readable.
Practical, carefully written guides for understanding spectra, spectrograms, loudness, diagnostics, reporting, and digital levels—without unnecessary jargon.
Start here · Sep 6, 2026 · 8 min read
Fan Noise or 50 Hz Hum? A Real Recording Diagnosis
A real 14-second fan recording, the low-frequency warnings it triggered, and why the evidence was not strong enough to call it stable mains hum.
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Guides and real audio tests
Learn how to read spectra, spot common problems, and choose the right settings.
Case study · Sep 2, 2026 · 8 min read
FFT Size on a Real Whistle
A 1024, 2048, 4096, and 8192-point FFT comparison using the same moment from a real, changing whistle recording.
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Measurement · Sep 1, 2026 · 9 min read
LUFS and True Peak Explained
Understand Integrated LUFS, Momentary and Short-term loudness, Loudness Range, sample peak, and True Peak—and learn how to interpret them together.
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Troubleshooting · Aug 29, 2026 · 10 min read
Detect Clipping, Noise, and Hum
Learn how clipping, broadband noise, and 50/60 Hz mains hum appear in audio—and how timestamped diagnostics help you verify each problem.
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Workflow · Aug 27, 2026 · 8 min read
Create an Audio Analysis Report
Build a traceable audio analysis report with file identity, measurement methods, loudness history, a full-file spectrogram, timestamped findings, and clear limits.
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Technique · Aug 25, 2026 · 9 min read
Audio Noise Floor Explained
Learn what an audio noise floor is, how to measure it consistently, and how to distinguish broadband hiss, electrical hum, room noise, and recording artifacts.
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Fundamentals · Aug 23, 2026 · 7 min read
Sample Rate and Nyquist Frequency
Understand how 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, and other sample rates limit measurable frequency, why the Nyquist frequency matters, and what resampling changes.
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Fundamentals · Aug 21, 2026 · 8 min read
How to Read a Spectrum Analyzer
Learn what frequency peaks, dBFS levels, harmonics, noise floors, and frequency scales mean—and how to read them without guessing.
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Fundamentals · Aug 19, 2026 · 7 min read
How to Read a Spectrogram
A clear guide to spectrogram axes, colors, patterns, resolution, and the visual signatures of tones, speech, noise, and transients.
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Workflow · Aug 17, 2026 · 6 min read
Spectrum vs. Spectrogram
Compare spectrum and spectrogram views, understand what each reveals, and choose the right visualization for pitch, noise, speech, music, or hidden audio data.
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Technique · Aug 15, 2026 · 8 min read
FFT Size Explained
Understand FFT bins, frequency resolution, time resolution, window length, and why 2048, 4096, or 8192 produce different audio analysis results.
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How-to · Aug 13, 2026 · 8 min read
Find the Frequency of a Sound
Measure the dominant frequency of a tone, recording, instrument, hum, or microphone input and avoid common peak-reading mistakes.
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Exploration · Aug 11, 2026 · 8 min read
Reveal Hidden Spectrogram Images
A careful workflow for finding images, text, symbols, and encoded clues in audio spectrograms without mistaking artifacts for intentional content.
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Reference · Aug 9, 2026 · 10 min read
Audio Frequency Ranges Explained
Understand the audible frequency spectrum from sub-bass to brilliance and learn what common instruments, voices, noise, and recording problems look like.
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Reference · Aug 8, 2026 · 9 min read
dBFS, RMS, Peak & Crest Factor
Learn how digital audio level metrics differ, what clipping means, and how to interpret peak level, RMS level, and crest factor together.
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