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Setting up the Analyzer

Setup the hardware:
Install the sound card and driver (refer to instructions included with your hardware) and connect the audio signal you wish to measure to the Line-In or Microphone jack on the sound card.

Frequency Range:
Prior to making a measurement, you need to determine what frequency range you are interested in, and what frequency resolution is required.  Go to the Settings dialog box by selecting the <Options><Processing Settings> menu.  Set the Sampling Rate to at least twice the highest rate that you wish to measure.  

Axis Scaling:
Go to the Processing Settings dialog box and select the desired scaling options.  The program defaults to Logarithmic amplitude scaling and Logarithmic frequency scaling. 

Start the analyzer
Click <Run> on the sidebar or use the associated accelerator key <alt> <R> to start the processor.  The display will then begin updating.  

Stop the analyzer and make a measurement
Click <Stop> on the toolbar or use the associated accelerator keys <alt> <S> to stop the processor.  Use the mouse to point to a feature of interest on the plot and press the left mouse button.  Measurement boxes will appear which contain the corresponding plot values.  (See Cursor Measurements for more information). 

Print the results
Selecting the <Print> menu item will print the spectrum plot on the selected printer.  You will also have an opportunity to enter custom annotation which is printed along the top center of the page.  


See also:  Basic Operation, What is a Spectrum Analyzer? , Printing , Keyboard Shortcuts