Spectrogram

Name: Spectrogram
Author: ToneBoosters

by ToneBoosters · Utility · Spectrogram and spectrum analyzer

Not rated yet

Spectrogram is a free ToneBoosters analyzer that shows how the frequency content of a signal changes over time.

It also works as a spectrum analyzer with octave or linear resolution, and is included free in the ToneBoosters installer.

Best for: Mix Bus, Mastering, Sound Design. Genres: all genres.

Keywords: built-in analyzer, free, sound design, AUv3/iOS, full mix, undo/redo, A/B compare, bus processing, evolving, extreme, mastering, mix bus, resizable UI, utility.

What it does

Spectrogram is ToneBoosters' free analyzer, built as "a visual support tool to inspect time and frequency". It shows which notes and frequency ranges were active over time, with a regular spectrum view alongside.

Spectrogram mode: a scrolling time-frequency display that shows how frequencies evolve, so resonances, notes and noise stand out as lines and smears.
Spectrum analyzer: a conventional spectrum view with a choice of octave or linear frequency resolution.
Sensitivity: adjusts how strongly the graphics respond, to bring out quiet detail or calm a busy display.
Multichannel: handles up to 16 channels for immersive audio, at sample rates up to 384 kHz.
Display: a resizable interface with dozens of color themes.
Workflow: undo, redo and A/B switching, plus preset management with organize, import and export.

Spectrogram is free.

Source: ToneBoosters product page

When to use it

Spectrogram is the pick when you want to see sound over time rather than as a single snapshot. Compared with Voxengo SPAN, it adds the scrolling time-frequency view, which makes ringing resonances, clashing notes and noise easier to locate, but it has no loudness or correlation meters. It covers much less than iZotope Insight 2, which bundles a spectrogram with loudness, stereo and spectrum metering, yet it costs nothing and supports up to 16 channels. Against Tritik Visu, it trades Visu's reassigned spectrogram and many frequency scales for a built-in spectrum analyzer and free color themes.

Best for: spotting resonances, noise and clashing notes, and checking how sound design or a mix changes over time.
Genres: any style, plus post-production and immersive work.
Look elsewhere if: you want loudness, stereo and spectrum metering in one window; iZotope Insight 2 or Youlean Loudness Meter 2 cover loudness and more.

What producers say

Little press coverage exists; the main user feedback is from the iOS release, where it was welcomed as a generous free tool.

Loopy Pro forum (iOS release thread) users welcomed it, one saying it would have been "an instabuy if it weren't free", and found the piano keyboard overlay "extremely helpful" when reading notes.
Criticisms: on iPhone the keyboard is too small to read, and users asked for vertical zoom and a simple level meter.
Usage: forum members used it to check how amp models change a signal's frequency content.

Loopy Pro forum thread

Where to buy

ToneBoosters: Free

Tutorials and reviews

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