Voxengo SPAN is a real-time audio spectrum analyzer plugin for music production applications. It can analyze stereo, mono, mid-side, and surround audio, including 5.1 and 7.1, and show spectra from two channels or channel groups at once. Its meters cover EBU R128 and K-system readings, RMS and true-peak levels, clipping, and stereo correlation. You can adjust FFT block size, window overlap, visual slope, smoothing, and a secondary spectrum display. Other tools include channel routing and grouping, output power statistics, presets, undo and redo, and A/B comparisons. SPAN runs on macOS and Windows and is available in VST, VST3, AudioUnit, and AAX formats, with format availability varying by system. The maker lists macOS 10.12 and later, Windows XP and later, a 2.5 GHz dual-core or faster processor, and at least 4 GB of RAM. Spectrum import and export for track comparisons is a SPAN Plus feature; the free plugin's alternative works only in some hosts.
Who it is for
SPAN suits audio producers who want spectrum and level analysis inside a compatible host. It also fits users who need stereo, mid-side, or surround views and metering.
What is good
- Analyzes stereo, mono, mid-side, and surround audio.
- Includes RMS, true-peak, clipping, and correlation meters.
- Offers VST, VST3, AudioUnit, and AAX formats.
- Supports channel groups and A/B comparisons.
What to know first
- Spectrum import and export is a SPAN Plus feature.
- Free-plugin comparison workaround works only in some hosts.
- Requires at least 4 GB of RAM.
Verdict
SPAN combines configurable spectrum views with several loudness and level meters in a free plugin. Track-to-track spectrum importing and exporting is reserved for SPAN Plus, and its free-plugin workaround depends on the host.
Voxengo SPAN plans and pricing
All plansCompared on audio analysis software
- Free plan
- Yes
- Real-time analysis
- Yes
- Loudness standards
- Yes
- Plugin support
- vst
- Analysis views
- spectrum, loudness, level, RMS, true peak, clipping, correlation, mid/side
