Yeah right, that's what I use too,
but what if Op doesn't use Cubendo..

 

youlean

 

Prism is really great AND gentle with your eyes.

I noticed this post lacks a few quite known metering plugins :

Span plus by Voxengo has been one of the most if the most popular metering plugin for spectrum for years and still is very good.
Span plus works like Prism with multiple instances.
They have free frequency dependant correlometer too that is cool.

https://www.voxengo.com/product/correlometer/

And the Bluecat audio metering suite is really awesome.
They have free stuff but their paid stuff is the real deal. I use a version from AZ that works well since years.
What is cool with Bluecat is that their metering suite is quite detailed.
They have a classic free spectrum viewer.
Others are multi instances/comparative spectral analysis with more instances at the same time than Prism. The same with a multi stereoscope and a multi oscilloscope.
Stereoscope and spectral analysis also have a 3d displaying version called "pro" (but that are not multi instances)

https://www.bluecataudio.com/Products/Category_Analysis/

They also have a meter suite thing
https://www.bluecataudio.com/Products/Product_DPeakMeterPro/

I don't know why you don't want to go for NI stuff but if you use AZ material you have all plugin alliance by r2r there. And on the last version each installer is separated so you can install ADPTR metric ab only if you want...
Metric ab is really hard to beat in terms of all in one metering tool imo.

 

@Plendix , @Legotron I checked out Cubase supervision and it is very nice for a stock metering suite. Unfortunately I don't use Cubase, I'm on Ableton Live and the stock plugins for metering and analysis are not as complete and comprehensive.
Same goes for RME Digicheck recommended by @Melodic Reality, I don't have a Babyface interface, I have a Focusrite Clarett 2pre so I wouldn't be able to use it.

@scoldt I don't want to use Native instruments related products because I don't like what they stand for.
They are a big corporate blob unable to come up with good products anymore so they buy anyone that can.
They were great back in 2010-2015, then they acquired Izotope and ruined it. Now they also own Plugin Alliance and Brainworx.

I don't want to install Izotope Product Portal or Native Access to manage my plugins licenses, I once tried to install the free Ozone Imager and I had to create a NI account, order the free VST with my full address and government name, received a confirmation email with a SN and a link to dl Izotope Portal, had to instal it, then log in, then install the plugin from the Product Portal, then activate...
Compare that to you telling me about the free TDR Prism, me going to their website, dl, install, over. And the Ozone free imager have giant button on the UI that sends you directly to NI website every time you click it by accident.

It's just annoying, I could dl Insight 2 and Tonal Balance 3 from MORiA right now or Metric AB from HCiSO to skip the bloatware but I don't even want to, it is what it is.

I like Fabfilter, Tone Projects, Valhalla DSP, Leapwing Audio, Xfer Records, Sonic Charge, Devious Machines, Ursa DSP, Tokyo Dawn Labs...

The metering suite that got my attention is Decibel by Process.Audio but they use iLok and there is no way I'm using a dongle/iLok app on my machine.

 

Plugin Alliance used to be good too back then.

As you wish mate. I just happened to have bought some stuff from PA back then.
I get what you say as I have to use these portals etc and it's plain sh**.
IZ product portal is a mess for sure....

Yet you should take a look at bluecat audio options and voxengo correlometer.

I own a Ilok since 2005 as well.... lol

 

The only one!
MasterPenguin

I would Recommend

 

Personally, I find all analysers extremely frustrating. After using them since their inception, I still find myself swapping between them as none seem to provide all the necessary functionality in one, with a clear display that doesn't have a secret desire to be a VJ tool. I await the day that FabFilter do it right...

 

Phil Speiser - The Meter
Antelope Audio - The Judge
Blue Cat Audio - Analysis Pack
Master Pinguin - PINGUIN Audio Multimeter
added to the list.

Thanks @dondada and @scoldt for your recommendation.
@Haze, I agree and fabfilter is probably the most capable candidate for this task, I love how the metering is implemented in Pro-L2, a dedicated tool for this with extended functionalities would be great.

 

Last edited: Jun 13, 2026 at 8:51 PM

IK Multimedia - Full Metering (Complete Metering Suite) www.ikmultimedia.com/products/trmetering/ --> 99,99 €

The new precision loudness LUFS meter, compliant with all leading professional reference standards, provides valuable information about the integrated, mid- or short-term loudness of the material you are working on, so you know right away you are producing a master that has the perfect loudness for digital music delivery or broadcasting.

Peak, RMS and Dynamic Range meters give you useful information about the “crest factor” (the difference between RMS and Peak levels) and dynamic response of your mixes. This way you can decide whether you want to go for a more compressed sound or a more dynamic one while still retaining the emotional impact of your songs.

 

Sometimes choosing ONE is difficult. What one does well, the other doesn't, or it's missing a feature.

I personally use:

AIO
Psyscope: being able to use it in multichannel mode, for frequencies and oscilloscope, it's the best I've tried.
MT Scepter: (recent purchase) practical and fast, everything you need without complications.

Alternatives?
schulz.audio Oszillos Mega Scope + Spectrum 2
MMultiAnalyzer
Others: scyllascope / audija OScope

Frequency spectrum analyzer
Voxengo Span Pro or TDR Prism, general frequency, plus they allow me to compare or import audio

Alternatives? IQ-Series Analyser V2 (you can also import audio)

Correlometer:
Voxengo Correlometer
MAAT 2BC MultiCORR
Kernaudio - Check

Vumeter
tbproaudio - mvmeter2

I've tried ALL the other programs mentioned, but they don't work for me or suit my workflow.
If I can't compare audio between channels or the oscilloscope isn't accurate, I've already ruled them out.

 

That may be true but there is no reason to use it. Insight2 on Mac is 50mb in size for the .component AU format, and is likely the same for the VST3. Mac plugins are almost always a bigger file because of included runtime dependencies being rolled up into them, and also if they are U2B "fat binaries" because they have both Intel and ARM slices included. But those can be stripped if someone wants to worry about 25mb, in this case. 3kbs more for a text file to patch, and that's all folks.

 

True (somehow). But as for OP, IzoNI is dead to me as well. First and foremost I don't support private equity squeezing every penny out of a formerly good company. And adding insult to injury I lately had my fair share of (AI)support hell at NI. I'm through with them. And to me being through means "does not exist". No difference whether we're in "pay for product"-mode or "don't pay for product"(r2r)-mode.
They can so go fck themselfes that I wouldn't even touch a scene release any more. And they got a lot of money over the years from my side.
So I totally get "Anything but IzoNI"

 

I didn't recommend DigiCheck, I would use it too without interface if there was a way, just said I miss those analyzers and recommended something that kinda can replace spectrum one, find that one really useful, but everyone have their own preferences about these things, I might got used to RME one, so it clicks with me the most.

 

@clone not to mention that with MORiA's Insight 2 and TBC 3 releases there is no need for NI Access nor Izotope Product Portal, I now one person with legit licenses for both that replaced them with k'ed versions for this purpose.

@Melodic Reality I thought you meant RME Digicheck was missing from the list, not that you missed the analyzers personally lmao, np.

@ZUK Thanks for letting me know about Kernaudio - Check it's a free gem !
I'm trying it with the wide stereo expansion demo ATM, the devs clearly have a great mindset, the free guides and the "manifesto" are compelling.

 

I have a legit Insight 2.5, but that doesn't mean I use it. And as far as the whole "private equity firms" go, that brings up the ludicrous idea that by using some company's plugin you are somehow "supporting them". You do that by buying stuff from them.

 

To be honest, MiRA looks much nicer.

 

Thank you for participating in this thread and giving great recommendations !

@Reverend Alden
@PulseWave
@efeve
@ZUK
@Baxter
@Plendix
@clone
@scoldt
@Talmi
@Melodic Reality
@Sinus Well
@Legotron
@Mikeofalltrades
@Somnambulist
@canbi
@dondada
@Haze
@flier0244

Helped me a lot to refine my current set of free tools and get an clear overview for paid metering suites options.
I think the best plugins have been suggested and I'm sure this post will be helpful to others wondering about quality audio analysis tools.

If you have further recommendations, let it be either free hidden gems, very high quality metering suites or essential/innovative plugins like Youlean - Loudness meter, Kern Audio - Check or Fx23 - Psyscope Pro.

Thanks everybody for contributing !

Audio analysis and metering suites

Free audio analysis and metering tools

 

Last edited: Jun 14, 2026 at 6:24 PM

remember to put in Multi-track frequency spectrum Analyzer , TDR PRISM ! (another good option HOFA IQ-Series Analyser V2)

 

I almost forgot!
Destruction derby 2 was my first 3d video game. I mean the first I owned in 3d and that I played until I knew each pixel of it.
Really strange to see this old Psygnosis logo. Feel a little nostalgia lol

 

@ZUK I put TDR Prism here : Free audio analysis and metering tools
I integrated it in my toolbox right away.

@scoldt People catch that now and then, it's always fun to me, I always found that it had an uncanny beauty to it.
My first PS1 game was Wipeout 2097, it triggered my interest in electronic music and graphic design.
I remember being very uncomfortable in Destruction Derby 2 menu, the music was haunting lol