Free Frequency Analysis Software

steve_hill4 · Apr 9, 2006, 05:30 PM

Could anyone point me in the direction of a free app for OS X which will allow me to analyse the frequency spectrum of a sound file, (likely to be WAV, AIFF or FLAC or SHN if I don't convert to analyse)?

I trade in lossless audio of live concerts and it is important to ensure that the quality is preserved. The easiest and quickest way to do this is to play each track for a few seconds and see what the frequency looks like. I already have the software to convert the audio files into wav and/or aiff, so that isn't a problem.

Thanks to anyone who can help me. Remember, this has to be free as this isn't really a profession or hobby that you spend vast sums on. Just lots of blank discs, software/torrents to share the material and apps to test and convert.

someguy · Apr 9, 2006, 05:51 PM

Perhaps Audacity?

steve_hill4 · Apr 9, 2006, 06:14 PM

Seems okay, but I can't find a way of getting it to plot a track with amplitude against frequency. That's what I'm really after as it's the quickest and easiest way to see what's going on. Thanks anyway.

I've used Cool Edit in the past on Windows and that showed me exactly what I wanted. Ideally, I would like that for Mac and free. If there are any shareware apps like it though, I'm willing to check them out too.

stridey · Apr 9, 2006, 06:16 PM

Yeah, I don't know of any freeware (or even resonably priced shareware) that has an spectral analysis as good as Cool Edit's. It's too bad, too. (In other words, I'm commenting partly so that I can see if you get any answers

)

steve_hill4 · Apr 9, 2006, 06:18 PM

I've just changed a few settings and it get's close to something I could work with. I would still be interested in any alternatives that could get tossed up.

faintember · Apr 9, 2006, 11:16 PM

Tried Audio Xplorer? It is a bit clunky, but it might be what you want.

steve_hill4 · Apr 10, 2006, 02:47 AM

I have tried that actually and that is exactly what I am after. However it only gives me the real time frequency spectrum for the built in mic or line in. When it comes to playing back a file, I can only see the spectrum at sample points.

I'll keep looking and also ask elsewhere to broaden my prospects. Thanks all.

irmongoose · Apr 10, 2006, 03:06 AM

I'm sorry I have no clue what a good analyzer is but a search on VersionTracker gives plenty of results if you want to try out different apps.

irmongoose

robo · Apr 12, 2006, 07:36 PM

Try Inspector

http://www.elementalaudio.com/produc...tor/index.html

Peace

Apr 9, 2006, 05:30 PM	#1
steve_hill4 macrumors 68000 Join Date: May 2005 Location: NG9, England	Free Frequency Analysis Software Could anyone point me in the direction of a free app for OS X which will allow me to analyse the frequency spectrum of a sound file, (likely to be WAV, AIFF or FLAC or SHN if I don't convert to analyse)? I trade in lossless audio of live concerts and it is important to ensure that the quality is preserved. The easiest and quickest way to do this is to play each track for a few seconds and see what the frequency looks like. I already have the software to convert the audio files into wav and/or aiff, so that isn't a problem. Thanks to anyone who can help me. Remember, this has to be free as this isn't really a profession or hobby that you spend vast sums on. Just lots of blank discs, software/torrents to share the material and apps to test and convert. __________________ Macintosh LCIII - PB 1400c - PB G3 'Lombard' - 12" PB G4 - 15" CD MBP - 24" iMac - 13" i5 MBP iPod Photo 60GB - 2G iPod nano - iPhone 3G - iPhone 4
	0

Apr 9, 2006, 06:14 PM	#3
steve_hill4 Thread Starter macrumors 68000 Join Date: May 2005 Location: NG9, England	Seems okay, but I can't find a way of getting it to plot a track with amplitude against frequency. That's what I'm really after as it's the quickest and easiest way to see what's going on. Thanks anyway. I've used Cool Edit in the past on Windows and that showed me exactly what I wanted. Ideally, I would like that for Mac and free. If there are any shareware apps like it though, I'm willing to check them out too. __________________ Macintosh LCIII - PB 1400c - PB G3 'Lombard' - 12" PB G4 - 15" CD MBP - 24" iMac - 13" i5 MBP iPod Photo 60GB - 2G iPod nano - iPhone 3G - iPhone 4
	0

Apr 9, 2006, 06:16 PM	#4
stridey macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Massachusetts, Connecticut	Yeah, I don't know of any freeware (or even resonably priced shareware) that has an spectral analysis as good as Cool Edit's. It's too bad, too. (In other words, I'm commenting partly so that I can see if you get any answers ) __________________ "Can't help it, I'm a born lever puller." Stridey: Macs, Music, Politics, and College. iBook G4 1.33Ghz, 1.2GB RAM, 60GB HD, 10.4.6
	0

Apr 9, 2006, 06:18 PM	#5
steve_hill4 Thread Starter macrumors 68000 Join Date: May 2005 Location: NG9, England	I've just changed a few settings and it get's close to something I could work with. I would still be interested in any alternatives that could get tossed up. __________________ Macintosh LCIII - PB 1400c - PB G3 'Lombard' - 12" PB G4 - 15" CD MBP - 24" iMac - 13" i5 MBP iPod Photo 60GB - 2G iPod nano - iPhone 3G - iPhone 4
	0

Apr 9, 2006, 11:16 PM	#6
faintember macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: the ruins of the Cherokee nation	Tried Audio Xplorer? It is a bit clunky, but it might be what you want. __________________ creation through destruction
	0

Apr 9, 2006, 05:51 PM	#2
someguy macrumors 68020 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Still here.	Perhaps Audacity?
	0

Apr 10, 2006, 02:47 AM	#7
steve_hill4 Thread Starter macrumors 68000 Join Date: May 2005 Location: NG9, England	I have tried that actually and that is exactly what I am after. However it only gives me the real time frequency spectrum for the built in mic or line in. When it comes to playing back a file, I can only see the spectrum at sample points. I'll keep looking and also ask elsewhere to broaden my prospects. Thanks all. __________________ Macintosh LCIII - PB 1400c - PB G3 'Lombard' - 12" PB G4 - 15" CD MBP - 24" iMac - 13" i5 MBP iPod Photo 60GB - 2G iPod nano - iPhone 3G - iPhone 4
	0

Apr 10, 2006, 03:06 AM	#8
irmongoose macrumors 68030 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Sometimes Tokyo, sometimes California	I'm sorry I have no clue what a good analyzer is but a search on VersionTracker gives plenty of results if you want to try out different apps. irmongoose __________________ A Film and Artwork Portfolio and Re: Gruber
	0

Apr 12, 2006, 07:36 PM	#9
robo macrumors 65816 Join Date: Feb 2005	Try Inspector http://www.elementalaudio.com/produc...tor/index.html Peace
	0

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