schOPE
by Stillwell Audio · Utility · Multi-signal analyzer
Not rated yet
schOPE compares up to four channels by waveform, spectrum or phase in one view, with freeze, zoom and scrub for inspecting transients.
It is meant for diagnosing timing and phase clashes, and costs $39.
Best for: Mix Bus, Mastering, Drums, Bass. Genres: all genres.
Keywords: built-in analyzer, bass, drums, FFT-based, full mix, kick, utility, bus processing, mastering, mix bus, mixing, perpetual licence, sidechain input, spectral.
What it does
schOPE is Stillwell Audio's multi-signal analyzer, built for the moment "when two signals are fighting" and you need to see why. It shows up to four channels in one view, so you can line up timing, spectrum and phase between sources instead of checking each track on its own.
- Up to four channels: compare four signals at once in a single analysis view; VST3 sidechain routing feeds the extra channels for dual-stereo setups.
- Time mode: overlaid waveforms with peak-hold freeze, interactive zoom, scale and pan, plus an RMS readout of the visible window.
- Freq mode: multichannel spectral power overlay with adjustable FFT size and zoom ranges, for seeing where two parts compete.
- Phase mode: dual-stereo phase analysis for checking stereo balance, panning behaviour and phase cancellation.
- Inspection tools: freeze, zoom, scale, pan and scrub to study transients in detail, for example how a compressor reshapes an attack.
This is version 4.0.3. Updates are free with no subscription, and a free evaluation copy is available.
Source: Stillwell Audio product page
When to use it
schOPE is the pick when the question is how two or more signals relate, such as kick against bass or close mics against overheads. Compared with SPAN, which centres on the spectrum, it adds overlaid waveforms from up to four sources so you can see timing offsets and polarity problems directly. Compared with Insight 2 it has no loudness, intelligibility or surround metering, but it costs far less and its zoomable waveform view is more useful for alignment work. It also differs from Metric AB, which compares your mix with reference tracks rather than tracks inside the mix with each other.
- Best for: aligning multi-mic drums, checking kick and bass phase, comparing layered parts and studying what a compressor does to transients.
- Genres: any.
- Look elsewhere if: you need loudness metering or reference matching; Insight 2, Youlean Loudness Meter 2 or Metric AB fit better.
- Tip: Tape Op suggests a small FFT size (1024) for detail and a large one (8192) for a broad view, at the cost of slower display updates.
What producers say
The one detailed review is very positive, though it covers a much older version.
- Tape Op (Garrett Haines, 2008) called it "one of the best analyzers I've used in a long time", praising the zoom on both axes, the customisable FFT size and the honour-system demo.
- Criticisms: none stated; the reviewer only noted that large FFT sizes make the display lag.
- KVR users have not posted any ratings yet.
Where to buy
- Stillwell Audio: $39
Tutorials and reviews
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