Read more about each of these top FREE EQ plugins below. TDR Nova from Tokyo Dawn. NOVA is a parallel dynamic equalizer. Appearing in the familiar layout of a parametric equalizer, each band also includes a full featured dynamics section allowing the processor to cover an impressively wide range of applications.

• Auto Eq Vst
• Top Vst Eq Plugins Vocals

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An equalizer is a tool that is used to change the balance of different frequency bands in an audio signal. Equalizers are used to correct or attenuate unwanted sounds (rumble sounds, or a low hum from a guitar amplifier, etc).

The most common use of equalization is using it to adjust the frequency balance of individual instruments and or voice to fit individual elements within the overall frequency spectrum of the mix.

If there is one thing you should learn before using an EQ, it should be selecting good samples or instruments right off the bat, this way, you won’t need to fight with the eq, and thus eqing would be a breeze.

Having said that, let’s go over the best EQ VST plugins I have ever come across, starting with…

1.) MAutoDynamicEQ by MeldaProduction

When we are talking of Dynamics processors, we are majorly referring to compressors, and or expanders, which on its own dynamically manipulates the overall level of audio material, and an equalizer is a tool that is used to change the balance of different frequency bands in an audio signal.

What if we combine both together? Well, that is what MAutoDynamicEQ is all about, it bridges the gap between a Dynamic processor and an equalizer, it is a plugin for manipulating the spectral character, and can also react to input levels, now that we know that, let’s get to know some of its major features…

MAutoDynamicEQ doesn’t just support the ability to work on multiple bands, it also has a separate level processor, so, you can say this plugin is a band and a dynamic processor. All the settings for the band are on the Band Settings window, which is displayed by right-clicking the band number on the equalization graph or on the band list.

It also supports Automatic equalization, it would automatically equalize your recording if off course the recording isn’t too bad right from the start. The way it does this is to first analyze your recording, this can be started by pressing the playback and pressing the Analyse target button, you then get a source or predefine analysis by using the load button; what you want the end result to sound like and you finally click equalize, and it is as simple as that.

The automatic equalization is powered by Melda Production’s Filter Adaption technology a.k.a MFA , the good thing about this is that it can perform your equalization for you based on an analysis of your recording, another recording, or even your own ‘drawn-in’ spectral content!

►Key Features:

• The most advanced user interface on the market – stylable, resizable, GPU accelerated
• Unique visualization engine with classic meters and time graphs
• exceptionally versatile modulators
• Adjustable oscillator shape technology
• 4 multiparameters
• M/S, single-channel, up to 8 channels surround processing…
• Smart randomization
• Automatic gain compensation (AGC)
• Safety limiter
• Adjustable up-sampling 1x-16x
• MIDI controllers with MIDI learn
• Very fast, optimized for SSE/SSE2/SSE3 processors
• Global preset management and online preset exchange
• Supports VST, VST3, AU, and AAX interfaces on Windows & Mac, both 32-bit and 64-bit
• No dongle nor internet access is required for activation
• Free-for-life updates

►System Requirements:

Windows

• Windows Vista / 7 / 8 / 10 (32-bit or 64-bit)
• VST / VST3 / AAX compatible host (32-bit or 64-bit)
• Intel/AMD processor with SSE2 support

Always use 32-bit plugins in 32-bit hosts or 64-bit plugins in 64-bit hosts!

64-bit plugins can’t work in 32-bit hosts even if the operating system is 64-bit. Do NOT use 32-bit plugins in 64-bit hosts. They would have to be bridged and can become slow and unstable.

Mac OS X

• Mac OS X (10.7 and newer, 32-bit or 64-bit)
• VST / VST3 / AU / AAX compatible host (32-bit or 64-bit)
• Intel/AMD processor with SSE2 support

2.) T-Bone by Boz Digital Labs

T-Bone is a slant EQ by Boz, and if you know what slant EQ is, then you should know that they are built to automatically boosts one end of the frequency spectrum while attenuating the other end.

Using this Eqing technique is useful for brightening or darkening your tracks very quickly, also, it is an awesome tool for changing the tone of your track without changing the overall level, which isn’t the case in traditional EQ plugins where when boosting a certain frequency, the overall sound gets louder, so, by using this plugin, you can ensure you are using the right tool for the right job.

Another stuff I find really interesting is the fact that it comes bundled with a coupled of good features, e.g, you have a high pass filter with resonance control, low pass filter with resonance.

Additionally, it features a Boom and Harsh Control which lets you control the level of harshness when boosting the levels in a certain frequency.

►System Requirements:

Available Formats

• Windows (32/64): VST2, VST3, RTAS, AAX Native
• Mac (32/64): AU, VST2, VST3, RTAS, AAX Native

3.) KickBox by SoundSpot

If you are into modern music genres e.g Progressive House, Electro, etc, then you know the importance of kick drum, in fact, they are the backbone of many modern music and they can either kill or make your music sound great.

A well-mixed kick drum has a warm sounding low end, doesn’t conflict with the rest of the mix, which is what Kickbox by soundspot is made for, they focus on simplifying the mixing process for any modern kick drum.

The KickBox is modeled after analogue filters and separates the relevant frequency ranges in a very transparent way. KickBox can help you get your kicks sounding extremely tight in a matter of just a few clicks.

The good thing about this plugin is that it works smoothly on both mono and stereo tracks, and the EQ section of the KickBox has been stepped to target the most common areas of the frequency spectrum, allowing you to achieve precise balanced adjustments in a matter of a few clicks.

Each band has a frequency and db control and can be operated with a simple click. This allows you to run through the values without looking at the plugin, so you can trust your ears and not your eyes.

It also features a built-in compressor that has been designed with a completely unique algorithm that has been designed to get your kick drums sounding punchy and clear.

And the most important part of the plugin to me is the presets, you can use the presets as the foundation of whatever you want to achieve, and you tweak it to your tastes, enjoy.

►Key Features:

• Fast and intuitive workflow.
• Analog modeled filters.
• Suited for electronic and acoustic kick drums.
• Extremely light on CPU and RAM.

►System Requirements:

• macOS (Catalina not supported) and Windows
• VST
• VST3
• AU
• AAX (Pro Tools 11.0.2 or higher)
• RAM: 8 GB RAM or more is recommended. Plus at least 8 GB hard disk space for installation.
• Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo, AMD Athlon 64 X2 or newer.
• Licensing: Internet access for activating the licence key. Please ensure any outgoing connection blockers are deactivated.
• Sample Rates: Supported sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, and 192 kHz, in both mono and stereo.

4.) FabFilter Pro-Q 3 EQ

Fabfilter isn’t new to the game, and their product are one of the best in the music production industry.

Pro-Q 3 offers everything that a demanding engineer could wish for: top quality linear phase operation in addition to the zero latency and unique Natural Phase modes, Mid/Side processing, variable stereo placement of EQ bands, an intelligent solo feature, optional Auto Gain, and a built-in, fully customizable spectrum analyzer

I really dig the design of the Pro-Q 3, it helps you achieve your sound in the quickest way possible. Via the large interactive EQ display, you can create bands where you need them, enable dynamic EQ for any band, and select and edit multiple bands at once.

►Key features:

• Highest possible sound quality
• Up to 24 EQ bands
• Optional Dynamic EQ mode for all bands (Bell and Shelf shapes), using any slope setting and with perfect analog matching
• Operates in zero latency mode, linear phase mode with adjustable latency, or the unique Natural Phase mode
• Flat Tilt filter shape, a flat tilting correction curve over the whole audible frequency spectrum
• Spectrum Grab: just grab and adjust a peak in the real-time spectrum analyzer right away!
• Different interface sizes and additional Full-Screen mode
• Filter shapes: Bell, Notch, High/Low Shelf, High/Low Cut, Band Pass, Tilt Shelf, Flat Tilt
• Universal filter slope support for all filter types, up to 96 dB/oct
• EQ Match feature to automatically match the spectrum of another Pro-Q 3 instance or an external signal
• Built-in spectrum analyzer with Pre-EQ, Post-EQ and external spectrum visualization, adjustable range, speed, resolution, tilt, freeze, and collision detection
• Auto Gain and Gain Scale
• Optional piano roll display to quantize EQ frequencies to musical notes
• Different display ranges: 3 dB and 6 dB ranges for mastering, 12 dB and 30 dB for mixing
• Intelligent solo mode makes it easy to find problem frequencies and hear the effect of a band
• Phase Invert option to change polarity
• Large output level meter with peak level readout
• Extreme CPU optimization: Pro-Q 3 uses very little CPU and memory, so you can use hundreds of instances in a session
• GPU-powered graphics acceleration
• Double-click text entry of parameter values
• Supports common Pro Tools hardware control surfaces
• Smart Parameter Interpolation
• Sample-accurate automation of all parameters
• Extensive help file with interactive help hints
• Available in VST, VST3, Audio Units, AAX Native, and AudioSuite formats (all both 64-bit and 32-bit)

►System Requirement:

Windows

• 64-bit: Windows 10, 8, 7 or Vista
• 32-bit: Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP
• VST 2/3 host or Pro Tools

macOS:

• OS X 10.8 or higher (64-bit only)
• AU or VST 2/3 host or Pro Tools
• Intel processor

5.) TDR Nova GE by Tokyo Dawn Labs

This is similar to Tokyo Dawn Labs SlickEQ, but NOVA GE is more powerful, it is not only a parallel dynamic equalizer but a includes a flexible dynamics processing options allowing the coverage of an impressively wide range of applications.

Be it a master lacking density, muddy mixes, the drum bus asking for more crispiness, snare looking for smark, or a sibilance problem in your perfect take: NOVA is your ultimate goto plugin.

It includes a total of six dynamic EQ bands, each with independent dynamics processing ranging from downward compression over upward compression, upward expansion, up to downward expansion (including gating).

In addition, NOVA GE features an advanced “Smart Operation” panel, which offers a unique way of automating and orchestrating the plugin for spectral matching, resonance removal, and much more.

►System Requirements:

Windows

• Win XP SP2 or above
• VST 32-bit / 64-bit
• AAX 64-bit

Mac

• Mac OS X 10.6.8 or above
• VST, AU, AAX 32-bit / 64-bit

6.) Equalize 2 by Acon Digital

Acon Digital Equalize is yet another parametric equalizer plug-in that isn’t only easy to use but also offers great flexibility in your mixing workflow.

What this equalizer does better is featuring an adjustable frequency, gain, and bandwidths, on top of this, you can also filter slope for each band. The filter slope can be set anywhere from 3 dB to ultra-sharp 120 dB per octave.

One of the things I love about this plugin is the way you can operate it. It features as a zero-latency plug-in when using the minimum phase mode or you can choose to preserve the phase relationships in the linear phase mode.

If you’ve ever used Fabfilter Equalizer, then I’ll say the user interface is somewhat similar to Acon Digital Equalizer, the band parameters can be adjusted using handles directly in the graphical representation of the frequency response, including bandwidths and filter slopes.

A flexible real-time analyzer lets you monitor every aspect of the processing. You can easily switch between full, mid, side, left or right channel processing for each band, and Equalize automatically routes the audio signal internally to ensure the best results and lowest possible latency.

►Key Features:

• Available as VST, VST3, or AAX plug-ins on PC (Windows)
• Available as VST, VST3, AAX, or AU plug-ins on Apple Macintosh (OS X)
• Native 32 bit or 64-bit versions of all plug-ins are available
• Supports sampling rates up to 96 kHz
• Supports multi-channel formats such as 5.1 and 7.1 surround
• Up to twelve equalizer bands
• Eight different band filter types (low cut, low shelf, peak, tilt, bandpass, notch, high shelf, and high cut)
• Band frequency, gain, bandwidth, resonance, and filter slope is freely adjustable for each band
• Three different filter modes, minimum phase, linear phase, or the novel mixed phase
• Adjustable latency and pre-ringing time in mixed-phase mode
• Zero-latency in minimum phase mode
• Channel mode (mid, side, left, right, or full processing) can be set independently for each band
• Multiple selections of bands
• Resizable graphical user interface
• Solo and bypass modes
• Optional automatic make-up gain
• Optional gain to bandwidth linking
• Two spectrum analyzers that can analyze the input or output signal from the mid, side, left, or right channel
• Graphical visualization of the equalizer frequency response
• Preset manager and a large number of factory presets
• Save, load, and categorize user presets

►System Requirements

PC Version (Windows)

• A Pentium IV or higher
• Minimum 256 MB RAM (1 GB recommended)
• Windows 10, 8 or 7
• A host application that is compatible with VST, VST3, or AAX (Pro Tools 10.3.5 or higher)

Macintosh Version (OS X)

• 64 bit Intel CPU
• OS X 10.7 or later
• A host application that is compatible with AU, VST, VST3, or AAX (Pro Tools 10.3.5 or higher

A good spectrum analyzer plug-in is essential for letting you know what is going on with your audio.

Even if you have a good monitoring system in your studio, a spectrum analyzer will help you identify potential problem areas in your mix.

Here, we run down some of the best spectrum analyzer VSTs available, giving you a range of potentially useful options.

Other Helpful Posts:

Top 7 Spectrum Analyzer VST Plugins

1. iZotope Insight

Demo & Price

iZotope’s aptly-named Insight gives you a broad overview of the spectral content of your audio while giving you the ability to get as detailed as you wish. It comes with plenty metering options to choose from, that can be customized as you fit, enabling you to use it for any type of session. Whether you simply want to check the spectral balance of your mix or you want to tweak the loudness or intelligibility of specific tracks.

Specs and useful features

Insight lets you visualize audio streams in ways that probably only a few spectrum analyzer plugins can. Unlike other plug-ins that force you into a specific way of working, Insight lets you customize the user interface according to your preferences or the demands of the session.

With Insight, you can choose to display only the meters that you need for any given situation. The interface is resizable as well, so you can keep it fairly compact when your screen gets too crowded. If you want to have visual access to more information, you could simply maximize the interface to occupy the full screen.

Of course, you have a great degree of control over viewing the display as well. You can adjust partition sizes however you want, and each meter even comes with dedicated display settings.

User impressions

“Comprehensive” is one word that is commonly used to describe Insight. It gives users the flexibility to view data however they wish, with zooming, scaling, and even freezing options provided.

The option to choose between 2D and 3D spectrogram displays scored points among many users as well. For users that need the ability to change viewing modes for different projects, Insight stands apart from most other spectrum analyzer plug-ins.

Bottom-line

iZotope’s Insight could very well handle all your spectrum analysis needs and then some. If flexibility and accuracy are your primary concerns–as they should be when shopping for a spectrum analyzer–you can’t go wrong with Insight.

2. NuGen Visualizer

Demo & Price

NuGen’s Visualizer may not be a household name in the world of spectrum analyzer plug-ins, but that in no way indicates any shortcomings on its part. Just as capable as its more popular counterparts, it provides feature-packed tools for analyzing audio and enhancing workflow. Furthermore, Visualizer helps you recreate optimal mix settings and avoid frequently-repeated errors.

Specs and useful features

Visualizer provides a single-screen interface for viewing the frequency content of the audio material. The interface can be resized freely, taking up very little screen space or providing a comprehensive overview as needed. There are also many options to customize the display, and you could switch to any of several views simply by clicking a button.

But it’s what you can do within those views that matter the most. Visualizer has a useful comparison mode that let you view frequency content and other information from two audio channels in a few different ways. You have the option to view both audio tracks overlaid on top of each other, side-by-side, or in a differential display.

Other features–such as the stereo spectrogram, vectorscope, stereo bias meter, and peak hold control–give you a range of options by which to analyze your audio. You can even view frequencies by how they correlate to each other, making it easy for you to identify potential frequency overlaps.

User impressions

Users of Visualizer have found numerous applications for the plug-in, particularly during the mixdown and mastering stages of production. One common application is the examination of the differences that a mastering chain imparts on a mix. The plug-in makes it possible to identify frequency clashes quickly, and the ability to customize the display makes audio analysis both easy and efficient.

Bottom-line

NuGen Visualizer is a powerful and attractive-looking spectrum analyzer plug-in that can handle a multitude of audio-related tasks. It is a good deal more expensive than other plug-ins in its category, but the extra cost is justifiable given its versatility and range of features.

3. MeldaProduction MMultiAnalyzer

Demo & Price

MeldaProduction is known for its high-value plug-ins that provide professional features at a reasonable price point. MMultiAnalyzer upholds the company’s reputation admirably, with a host of features that make it possible to analyze audio and deal with any issues easily and accurately.

With a selection of audio analysis and enhancement features, MMultiAnalyzer enables you to analyze multiple tracks simultaneously. Simply patch in an instance of the plug-in in each track that you want to analyze, and they will detect each other automatically. All data will then be available to all instances of the plug-in.

Specs and useful features

MMultiAnalyzer is more than just a spectrum analyzer plug-in. It also has a built-in sonogram, and collision detection, loudness comparison, and stereo analysis features. Even with all these features, the plug-in never gets too complicated to use. Whether you use it as a multi-track sonogram, a collision detector, or a stereo analyzer, the MMultiAnalyzer workflow is fast and intuitive.

MMultiAnalyzer also comes with features that make it easy to identify specific frequencies. These include normalization, super-resolution, and de-harmonization features, all of which help you pinpoint problem areas in your audio.

User impressions

Like all MeldaProduction’s plug-ins, MMultiAnalyzer is customizable to a remarkable degree. The interface is freely resizable, and users have the option to display the controls as knobs, buttons, or sliders. Even with all the impressive technical features onboard, the plug-in’s customizability is what stands out the most among many users.

Of course, the aforementioned technical features are the main draw for professional users and serious hobbyists. The ‘smart’ metering is one of the most advanced of its kind, giving users the option to display frequency measurements in a variety of graphs and meters.

Bottom-line

MMultiAnalyzer is one of the most versatile spectrum analyzer plug-ins around. It is absolutely flawless in terms of accuracy, and the degree to which you could customize the interface is a definite plus. Even with so many capable spectrum analyzer plug-ins available, this one stands apart from the rest.

4. Blue Cat Audio Analysis Pack

Demo & Price

Blue Cat’s Audio Analysis Pack gives you pretty much everything you need to analyze and measure the frequency content of audio in one convenient package. The pack contains a dazzling array of useful plug-ins, all of which are available individually as well. Among these are two frequency analysis plug-ins, both of which provide performance equal to that of dedicated spectrum analyzers. Furthermore, these plug-ins let you can control other plug-ins–and even MIDI instruments–with the resulting measurements.

Specs and useful features

Because this is a review of spectrum analyzer plug-ins, we will focus on those specific types of plug-ins in the pack.

First up is FreqAnalyst Multi, which provides a variety of spectrum analysis features for multiple tracks. Ideally-suited for mixing and mastering, it provides a detailed view of the frequency and time of several tracks simultaneously, all from a single screen. A useful and versatile mixing tool, it will also find plenty of use as a frequency overlap detector.

The second smartphone plug-in is FreqAnalyst Pro, which adds automation generation capabilities and a 3D viewer to the standard set of spectrum analysis features. Offering much of the same functionality as the free FreqAnalyst plug-in, it provides an extremely smooth and high-resolution view of frequency as well as time.

User impressions

The individual plug-ins in the Audio Analysis Pack come with an impressive wealth of features that provide tremendous value. Most users seem sufficiently impressed with the amount of information provided, with the automation and MIDI capabilities simply being the icing on the cake. For many, the clever implementation of CC/automation generation features makes these tools so much more versatile than most standard spectrum analyzer plug-ins.

Bottom-line

The overall value provided by the Audio Analysis Pack is pretty impressive. Even if you opt to purchase just the individual spectrum analyzer plug-ins, expect to get plenty of bang for the buck.

5. Photosounder Spiral

Demo & Price

To describe Photosounder’s Spiral as a music analysis plug-in would be accurate–but it does underplay its capabilities a bit. Spiral certainly does a great job of revealing the frequency content of music, but its fresh and innovative approach to audio analysis places it so far ahead of other plug-ins that it is almost in an entirely different category.

Frequencies are displayed in a spiral (no surprise there), with a chromatic band encircling it. It is a simple enough concept to be sure, but the ability to see what is going on in your music quickly and intuitively is noteworthy. Spiral also provides many other features that give you a more detailed and informative view of your audio.

Specs and useful features

In the Spiral display, individual instruments have specific colors that represent their unique positions in the stereo mix. The plug-in also makes it possible to capture or record bits of audio into memory and play it back at slower speeds. This feature is helpful for identifying individual notes or deciphering chords.

You can even adjust the resolution at which stored audio plays back. You can lower the resolution for more precise time measurement for instance, or increase it when you need to analyze low-frequency instruments or complex chords.

User impressions

Users found Spiral to be as useful as an audio analysis tool as a musical aid. The bright colors and stereo separation make it possible to identify tones and notes quickly and accurately.

As a learning tool, Spiral is pretty much incomparable in the world of spectrum analyzer plug-ins. Its ability to highlight specific sections of the audio, capture it, and play it back at slower speeds are features that simply don’t exist in any other spectrum analyzer plug-in.

Bottom-line

Spiral probably isn’t the best choice for analyzing audio for mixing or mastering purposes. More a musical aid than a frequency analysis tool, it should nevertheless find a welcome place in your plug-in collection.

6. 2nd Sense Audio Mixing Analyzer

Demo & Price

2nd Sense’s Audio Mixing Analyzer hides an impressive wealth of features in a simple and modernistic interface. Like the best spectrum analyzer plug-ins, it allows the real-time monitoring of multiple tracks of audio, with the data viewable from a single window. It also identifies instances where frequencies collide and mask each other. Whether you need to pinpoint problem frequencies in specific audio tracks or simply want to check your level balances, Audio Mixing Analyzer could be a useful tool.

Specs and useful features

Like other spectrum analyzer plug-ins that allow for the monitoring of multiple audio streams, Audio Mixing Analyzer is meant to be loaded onto each track to be analyzed. All tracks will then be visible on any instance of the plug-in, each in a different color. You can also label each track as you see fit.

A vertical line will pop up on the display if any frequencies clash or overlap. You can then instantly see where two or more parts are occupying the same frequency range. An included threshold knob lets you control how frequencies clashes are displayed, with shorter instances showing up as more pronounced movements of the indicator line.

A scrolling display below the spectrum display provides real-time information on the clashing frequencies, as well as the measure and beat position where they occur. There are also illuminating blocks to the left that indicate the presence of tracks with conflicting frequency content.

User impressions

Audio Mixing Analyzer may be fairly simple, but users seem satisfied at the amount of information provided. By presenting data as text as well as visual form, users can identify frequency clashes easily, and quickly determine what steps to take to remedy potential issues.

Bottom-line

Audio Mixing Analyzer isn’t the most fully-featured spectrum analyzer around. In fact, it is one of the simplest in this rundown, without a lot of esoteric display settings and customizability options onboard. Nevertheless, it is a capable enough analyzer for the most part, and it should find plenty of use in any studio.

7. Voxengo SPAN

Demo & Price

Voxengo’s SPAN is something of a classic in the audio world, providing spectrum analysis capabilities equal to that of the best plug-ins. Remarkably, SPAN is free, which makes its professional features and capabilities even more impressive.

Even so, Voxengo saw fit to release an “extended” version of SPAN, dubbing it the SPAN Plus. Building on the already impressive features of its freeware predecessor, SPAN Plus added a static spectrum display option, PNG file export, and the ability to import and export spectrum data in real-time.

Specs and useful features

SPAN Plus has a new “mode” system that gives you the flexibility to set the display according to your preferences. This feature lets you view Fourier block size in samples, and lets you set the overlap percentage of the FFT window. You can also specify the visual slope of the spectrum, change how the secondary spectrum is displayed, and even smoothen out the spectral display as desired.

SPAN Plus makes it possible to perform a variety of analysis methods. You can compare the spectrums of different tracks at the same time, with unique colors for each channel.

User impressions

SPAN Plus especially impresses users with its ability to perform multi-track comparisons from a single window. The ability to compare EQ curves pre- and post-mastering on the same graph makes it a flexible and useful tool for mixing and mastering.

It is interesting to note that many users find the free SPAN to be just as capable as the SPAN Plus for their needs. But that is more a testament to the excellence of the free plug-in than it is a criticism of SPAN Plus.

Bottom-line

SPAN Plus is an excellent spectrum analyzer plug-in in more ways than one. Admittedly, you could get pretty much the same features in the free version of SPAN. But if the ability to compare the spectrums of two different audio sources at the same time is important to you, SPAN Plus is a no-brainer.

Spectrum Analyzer VSTs

What is spectrum analysis?

In an audio and musical context, spectral analysis is the process of measuring the frequency content of audio signals. Using a function known as “Fourier transform”, audio is broken down into its component frequencies and displayed on a screen.

Spectrum analyzers–purpose and function

Spectrum analyzers essentially provide visual representations of sound. They measure the frequencies of audio signals and display the results in a graph in real-time. The horizontal axis represents the pitch/frequency of the audio, while the vertical axis represents the amplitude. Pitch/frequency is measured in Hertz, and amplitude is measured in decibels.

Auto Eq Vst

By providing a visual representation of audio, spectrum analyzers make it easier to identify specific areas of the frequency range that may cause problems in the mix later on. When used in conjunction with standard audio monitoring, spectrum analyzers can enhance efficiency during the mixing and mastering processes.

Essential features

Top Vst Eq Plugins Vocals

The display is the most important part of a spectrum analyzer. This is where you can see the frequency content of your audio and how “hard” specific frequencies are hitting. You can then figure out which frequencies you will have to cut or boost to fix any problem.

The best spectrum analyzers give you more specific details on frequencies and levels when you place your cursor at certain points on the display. Some plug-ins even allow you to zoom in for a more accurate view of the levels.

How to choose the best spectrum analyzer

Accuracy is, of course, one of the most important aspects of a spectrum analyzer. You will want to pay particular attention to this quality when comparing the different spectrum analyzer plug-ins available.

You should also look into the option to set the FFT block size a few different ways. This feature allows you to view frequencies at different resolutions, which could help you identify problem areas in specific frequency ranges.

One important thing to keep in mind is that spectrum analyzers can not–and should not–take the place of proper monitoring via speakers or headphones. By all means, use spectrum analyzer plug-ins for an added perspective while mixing or mastering. But don’t forget that what ultimately matters is how the music sounds–not how it looks.