For a newly-updated 2018 version of this post, click here for “The (Updated) Big List of Free Pro Tools Plugins”. For a long time, it’s been easy to find a whole world of free VST and AU plugins on the web. But for users of Pro Tools – arguably the most popular professional DAW in the U.S. – pickings have always been a bit slimmer. 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. VPS Scope is a free spectrum analyzer and scope analyzer and correlation meter VST, VST3, Audio Unit, AAX plugin developed by Vengeance Sound. Compatible OS(s): Windows 64b, macOS. VPS Scope is an analyser plugin with scope, spectral and stereo analysis: supports different VU metering modes. Synced & free running, zoomable realtime waveform.
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/
Scope Vst Free Download
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
Schope Vst 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/