The FFT … an Audio Microscope.

An FFT analyzer is like an audio microscope. It allows us to easily measure the frequency and amplitude of tones that are below the level of the noise. Traditional audio meters fail when the signal is lower than the noise level, but with an FFT, we can accurately measure tones that are 30 to 40 dB below the level of the noise.

In many ways, our ears behave like an FFT audio measurement system. Our ears can detect the frequency and amplitude of tones that are as much as 30 dB below the ambient noise. This means that our ears are 30 dB better than traditional audio meters! This is why we can carry on a conversation in a noisy room, and this is why we can hear individual instruments within an orchestra. This is also why small defects need to be detected and corrected when designing top-quality audio gear.

John Siau, Benchmark’s lead Engineer, will explain the “magic” of the FFT analyzer without the use of advanced mathematics. He will show an FFT analyzer in action, and he will measure a complete Benchmark chain to determine if it produces audible noise or distortion. Learn how to read an FFT plot and learn what to look for when selecting audio components.