Plugin Analyzer For Mac

Can load VST and (on Mac) AU effect plugins. If you've been looking for an all-encompassing plugin analyzer, this is it. A free demo is available.

This edition of bpb Freeware Studio features a list of the best freeware spectrum analyzers in VST plugin format.

There are several other free spectrum analyzer VSTs available, but I’ve only picked the very best ones for this list (since theres really not much point in having a dozen diferent analyzers installed).

Still, if I’ve missed a plugin that you think deserves to be on the list, feel free to mention it in the comments section, and I’ll be more than happy to check it out!

Follow the links for screenshots & download info:

• Fre(a)koscope by [email protected](Mac, Windows)
• FreqAnalyst by Blue Cat Audio(Mac, Windows)
• Inspector by RNDigital(Mac, Windows)
• MAnalyzer by MeldaProduction(Mac, Windows)
• MultiFreek Junior by U.F.O Scientific(Windows)
• MultiInspectorFree by VertexDSP(Mac, Windows)
• Oscarizor by Sugar Audio(Mac, Windows)
• Real Time Analyzer by reFuse Software(Mac)
• Sonogram SG-1 by ag-works(Windows)
• SPAN by Voxengo(Mac, Windows)
• Spectrum Analyzer by Seven Phases(Windows)

So, SPAN is without a doubt my favorite spectrum analyzer. It packs plenty of useful features like m/s analysis, K-metering, and is basically my go-to plugin for this sort of stuff. You’ll find a nice tutorial video on using SPAN, below in this post.

MultiFreek Junior and MultiInspectorFree are also very cool since they are optimized for monitoring multiple signals at the same time – a great feature for detecting clashing frequencies in a mix, visualizing how your bass and kick work together, etc.

Spectrum Analyzer by Seven Phases is pretty simple, easy to use, and has a resizeable GUI. This means you can put plenty of these on a single screen, or put one giant spectrum analyzer on a single screen and thus get all the hot girls for yourself.

Sonogram SG-1 is a bit different, it’s actually a sonogram, also known as a spectrogram, but basically just a different type of spectrum analyzer. I sometime use it to analyze my final mixes, and to check if certain frequencies are too loud.

Fre(a)koscope and Inspector are also worth checking out, perhaps one of these two will become your favorite.

Finally, many thanks to FiestaRed for suggesting MAnalyzer, another good spectrum analyzer and part of the neat MeldaProduction freeware bundle.

That’s all for now, thanks for reading and see you soon with another selection of the best freeware VST plugins!

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This article is part of the bpb Freeware Studio series. Eudora for windows mailboxes to eudora for mac windows 7. Each article in the series features a selection of the best freeware VST instruments/effects, or other audio related software in a certain category. Feel free to suggest your own favorites in the comments section below. Enjoy!

If you use Wavosaur for mastering / premastering, or signal analysis in a more general way, you need tools for audio analysis : spectrum analyzers, phase analyzers, sonogram.
Wavosaur comes with analyzers, you’ll find them in the ‘tools’ menu, along with oscilloscopes & statistics about the sound file (maximum sample peak, RMS power, average value.).

But you can also use VST plugins (for some people it can be more convenient).
We have searched deep deep inside deep deep down inside into the web, to find the best free VST plugins for audio analysis, here’s the selection:

1) Spectrum Analysis

1.1) Voxengo SPAN

This spectrum analyzer uses FFT to display the signal frequency in real time.
You can freeze the display, and use the mouse to shows dB values / Frequency value
Frequency is displayed in Hz and in musical note.
The Voxengo SPAN analyzer also displays statistics : RMS power, and it features a clipping detection.

More info and download @ http://www.voxengo.com/product/span/
It is worth mentioning these plugins too, freeware!

1.2) Mdsp SmartElectronix Fre(a)koscope

Very nice, with interesting options for the spectrum display : linear/logarithmic/semitones .
Adjustable size for the FFT buffer. Had sometimes display problem with Wavosaur.
More info and download @ http://mdsp.smartelectronix.com/freakoscope/

1.3) BlueCat FreqAnalyst

Like the previous VST effect, this one can show spectrum of left / right channel or both, has a “hold peak” feature that is interesting, when dealing with EQ level in your mix.
More info & download @ http://www.bluecataudio.com/Products/Product_FreqAnalyst/

1.4) Seven phase Spectrum Analyzer

This one is freely resizable inside the host application (works in Wavosaur)
More info and download @ http://sevenphases.wordpress.com/spectrum-analyzer/

1.5) MultiInspector free

Download @ http://www.vertexdsp.com/downloads.html#MultiInspectorFree

2) Sonogram

2.1) ag-works sonogram sg-1

This free plugin displays a scrolling sonogram for frequency analysis.
You have the choice for the sonogram colors, and many options to tweak the sonogram displays
This is the only sonogram VST we have found for free ! Fortunaly it’s very good.
More info & download @ http://ag-works.net/plugins.sg1.htm

3) Goniometer

3.1) Flux Stereo Tool

When you need to visualize your stereo position, and the repartition in the field, this plugin is very useful. You can check for phase errors in your mixes.
download @ https://www.fluxhome.com/download

3.2) Gonio3

download @ http://www.uk-music.de/index.php?page=downloads

3.3) HOFA 4U Goniometer & Korrelator

download @ http://hofa-plugins.de/pages/start_en/4u_en.php

If you think that we have forget some free VST analyzer plugin in this list, do not hesitate to comment !

Edit:

We just have found this pretty nice analyzer somewhere on our harddisk :

Dust Analyzer:

It provides three modes : spectrum / scope / phase , with “hold peak” option, freeze option, dB/Freq display with mouse, linear / logarithmic scale

more info & download @ KvR audio forum & http://www.signaldust.com/