I am getting started on a new project and have this idea in my head and no idea where to start.

I would like to be able to analyze a sound(s), capturing frequency and amplitude/energy for each bin; then instruct the patch to just use a certain range of data (e.g. the least amount of energy), then using those fqs in some way (either in real time or later on)...

Does this make any sense??? Is this doable without knowing complex math? 

I am getting started on a new project and have this idea in my head and no idea where to start.
Here it goes...
I would like to be able to analyze a sound(s), capturing frequency and amplitude/energy for each bin; then instruct the patch to just use a certain range of data (e.g. the least amount of energy), then using those fqs in some way (either in real time or later on)...
Does this make any sense??? Is this doable without knowing complex math? 
Any help will be greatly appreciated.


fft newbe questioin