Finding a PC Application for Audio Recording & Fourier Analysis

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding a PC application capable of audio recording and performing Fourier analysis, specifically seeking software that can provide both frequency spectrum and phase information of audio signals. The conversation touches on the usability of existing software options, particularly MATLAB, and the desire for simpler alternatives.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests recommendations for software that can perform Fourier transforms and return both frequency spectrum and phase information.
  • Another participant suggests using MATLAB, noting that it can compute the complex FFT, which includes phase information, but mentions that most users focus on magnitude due to the ear's inability to distinguish phase.
  • A participant expresses frustration with MATLAB's complexity and seeks simpler software that can provide FFT results with phase information in an easy-to-use format, similar to a digital audio workstation's spectrum analyzer.
  • One participant reiterates that the basic 'fft' command in MATLAB does return complex FFT data, which includes phase information, implying that it may meet the original request.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the usability of MATLAB for obtaining phase information, with some advocating for its capabilities while others highlight its complexity and seek simpler alternatives. No consensus is reached on a specific application that meets all criteria.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects varying levels of familiarity with MATLAB and the specific requirements for audio analysis software, indicating a potential gap in user-friendly options that provide both amplitude and phase information.

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Can anyone recommend an application for PC that can take an audio recording, perform a Fourier transform, and return the audio recordings' frequency spectrum AND phase information?

I can find plenty of programs that return the frequency spectrum, but I've had no luck finding one that returns info about the phase of the sinusoidal components. Thanks!
 
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You can use software like MATLAB to compute the complex FFT. Most people aren't concerned about the phase information, since the ear can't distinguish phase, so most programs plot the magnitude of the complex FFT.

- Warren
 
Thanks a lot for the info.

I've been learning to use MATLAB for the past couple days in order to get the phase information, and I have to say that it's like using a chainsaw to cut a twig... which wouldn't be a problem, except for the fact that with increasing power of an application such as matlab, comes an increasing learning curve. I'm really pulling my hair out... I understand that MATLAB is very versatile and powerful and therefore complicated to use, but I know that the phase information is not too computationally difficult to obtain. Can anyone recommend any simpler program that I can use to compute a FFT of an audio file, and provide phase information?

To be more specific: In the digital audio workstation software that I use, I can simply select an audio file, select the option "Spectrum analyzer", and a spectrum will appear. I can then move my mouse pointer over the spectrum, and an icon will trace the amplitude of the signal at the frequency position that my mouse is at. The amplitude at the current mouse position is displayed numerically above the graph.

For my purposes, the simplicity and ease of use of this analyzer is ideal.. if only it would display the phase values AND the amplitude values. Does anyone know of an application that can do it like this, or with similar ease of use?
 
Last edited:
If I'm not mistaken, the basic 'fft' command in MATLAB returns the complex FFT, which contains the phase information.

- Warren
 

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