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bpb Freeware Studio: Best Free Spectrum Analyzer VST/AU Plugins

By 18 Comments3 Mins Read

bpb Freeware Studio: Best Free Spectrum Analyzer VST Plugins

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:

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.

YouTube video

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

***

This article is part of the bpb Freeware Studio series. 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!

Tomislav is a music producer and sound designer from Belgrade, Serbia. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief at Bedroom Producers Blog.

18 Comments

  2. gabe

     on

    excellent post.
    I was looking for a spectrum analyzer who could analyze different tracks simultaneously.

    thanks you!

    Reply

  4. Raul Silva

     on

    I see you were using Live 8 in the video. Does Span work just as well with ProTools.
    Thanks for all the good work you do.

    Reply

    • bedroom producers blog

       on

      hi Raul, it’s not my video, i don’t use Live (nor do i use PT). but i’ve seen reports online that SPAN works fine with the FXpansion VST-RTAS adapter, so i guess you could try that!

      Reply

  5. Fess

     on

    thanks for posting this but do you know of any spectral analysis tools that will open in Garageband? (AU) I’ve found a few but they’re all for os x 10.5 or up. do you know of any for a 10.4.11 power book g4?

    Reply

  7. Thomas

     on

    Hi, i just downloaded Span and tried to follow the Tutorial. But the Problem is, that instead of the 6 Inputs in the Video, in my Version i only see 2 Inputs. One L and one R. So i was not able to set it up right. I use Cubase 7 Elements. Any Ideas anyone?

    Reply

  10. Howard Ellison

     on

    Thankyou Tomislav for your hard work. Very helpful. I do agree that SPAN is a great plug in.
    What I can’t find, so far, is a plug (Mac) that will display Left-Right phase. This immediately reveals any mono content in a mix. For example, bass used to be restricted to mono to suit vinyl cutting, but is now very much part of creative stereo imaging. A straight line/hysteresis XY display (easy on a hardware ‘scope) would be so useful.

    Reply
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