College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
3C50.80 - Spectrum Analysis
Plug a microphone or tape player into the input of the sound card. Play the desired instrument to be analyzed. The computer will store the desired notes and display the analysis. Cool Edit Pro is a free download program available from Syntrillium Software Corp. at
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Audio/Audio-Editors-Recorders/Cool-Edit-Pro.shtml
Many more Spectrum Analyzers at This Link!
- Oleksii Voronkin, "Spectral Analysis of Musical Notes as a Source of Information About Musical Instruments", TPT, Vol. 60, #2, Feb. 2022, p. 117.
- Andy N. Black, Robert H. Magruder, "An Experimental Introduction to Acoustics", The Physics Teacher, Volume 55, November 2017, pg. 482.
- David Keeports, "The Spectrum of a Rock Band", TPT, Vol. 55, #1, Jan. 2020, p. 56.
- Daivd Keeports, "Watching Harmonics Beat", TPT, Vol. 53, # 4, April 2015, p. 244.
- Alycia Galley, "Signal Frequency Spectra with Audacity", TPT, Vol. 53, # 4, April 2015, p. 239.
- Timothy Moran, "Applications of Sound Spectrum Analysis", TPT, Vol. 45, # 2, Feb. 2007, p. 93.
- R. H. Good, "Real-Time Microcomputer Frequency Analyzer", AJP, Vol. 54, #5, May 1986, p. 463.
- P. Ottonello, "Low Cost Wave Analyzer", AJP, Vol. 45, #1, Jan. 1977, p. 103.
Disclaimer: These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist. The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose. The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources. Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks. These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage. Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.