Editing Spectrum analyzer (section)

== Audio-frequency uses ==
Spectrum analysis can be used at [[Audio frequency|audio frequencies]] to analyse the harmonics of an audio signal. A typical application is to measure the [[distortion]] of a nominally [[sinewave]] signal; a very-low-distortion sinewave is used as the input to equipment under test, and a spectrum analyser can examine the output, which will have added distortion products, and determine the percentage distortion at each harmonic of the fundamental. Such analysers were at one time described as "wave analysers". Analysis can be carried out by a general-purpose [[digital computer]] with a [[sound card]] selected for suitable performance<ref>[http://www.clarisonus.com/Research%20Reports/RR001-SoundCardEval/RR001-PCsoundCards.html ClariSonus Research Report #001, PC Sound Card Evaluation, John Atwood, 2006.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110705033550/http://clarisonus.com/Research%20Reports/RR001-SoundCardEval/RR001-PCsoundCards.html |date=2011-07-05 }} Detailed tests of various sound cards for use as D/A and A/D converters for sound testing software on a PC</ref> and appropriate software. Instead of using a low-distortion sinewave, the input can be subtracted from the output, attenuated and phase-corrected, to give only the added distortion and noise, which can be analysed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.angelfire.com/ab3/mjramp/golopid6.html|title=Renardson audio designs: Distortion measurement|website=[[Angelfire]]|access-date=7 May 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625064334/http://www.angelfire.com/ab3/mjramp/golopid6.html|archive-date=25 June 2013}}</ref>

An alternative technique, [[THD analyzer|total harmonic distortion measurement]], cancels out the fundamental with a [[notch filter]] and measures the total remaining signal, which is total harmonic distortion plus noise; it does not give the harmonic-by-harmonic detail of an analyser.

Spectrum analyzers are also used by audio engineers to assess their work. In these applications, the spectrum analyzer will show volume levels of frequency bands across the typical [[hearing range|range of human hearing]], rather than displaying a wave. In live sound applications, engineers can use them to pinpoint [[feedback]].