I'm wondering if its possible to run a spectrum analyzer that displays the output of my PCs master channel. In other words, analyze all the audio I stream from youtube, movies, spotify, all in real time. Is there a windows app that does this separate from my DAW? or is there a way to route my windows 10 audio within Ableton so I can use my vsts this way?

 

it depends on your Interface/Hardware
3 posibilitys

1) RME Totalmix with its own analyzer
2) Master Pinguin (with Virtual Audiocable) but better with Real! full duplex interface
3) DDMF EffectRack (with its own Routingsystem wich allows you to use vst outside your DAW)

the first two are realtime while ddmf has latency "issues" but is super cheap
you could watch films with it and not have volume spikes because you have waves volume rider on the "master"

 

Last edited: Jan 8, 2016

I'll look into these thanks!

Ideally, Id like to run this spectral graph on my separate monitor while I go about my day, and whenever I'm streaming a song or movie I can observe the graph. Ultimately, I believe this kind of feedback would help me develop a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the audio spectrum; not just through my ears but by interpreting what graphs tell me as well. After all, these graphs provide us with unbiased information, which is what I'm after considering my studio is in a much less than ideal acoustic space.

 

https://products.zplane.de/ppmulator has a standalone version

 

Just use Goldwave 5.60+ with Loopback feature and you can monitor all inputs on visuals.
Spectrum analyzer, graph and waterfall are included.