Spectra
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Real‑time audio analyzer

The audio analyzer your ears deserve.

Instant spectrum, band‑by‑band tonal balance and side‑by‑side reference comparison: everything you need to mix, master and calibrate — without leaving macOS.

Download for macOS See the features Apple Silicon · Intel
  • Imperceptible latency
  • Native 48 kHz
  • 100% local
spectra — Live
Source
System output
Reference
Track A · 04:21
Balance
6 bands

Real‑time spectrum

See the frequency content of any source — system output, mic, file — with an instant, readable response.

Built‑in reference

Load a reference track (WAV, MP3, M4A, AAC, AIFF) and compare your mix against what already works. The curve stays visible even without a live signal.

Tonal balance

Spectra computes a band‑by‑band gap (pick 4, 6 or 8 bands) between your signal and the reference. Too much bass? Not enough air? You'll know.

Features

Built for picky ears.

Every Spectra detail was designed to move fast: a shortcut, a reference, a glance — and the call is made.

Real‑time spectrum

A spectral readout that doesn't lie.

High‑resolution FFT, logarithmic smoothing, persistent peaks: you see exactly what's coming out of your speakers, no marketing filter. Steady 48 kHz analysis, minimal visual latency.

  • Log scale from 20 Hz to 20 kHz
  • Hold peaks to catch transients
  • System output, mic input or file
Real‑time spectrum
Reference

Compare to what already works.

Load up to three reference tracks. Spectra averages their spectrum and overlays it in orange on top of your signal. Instant bypass for A/B. References persist across sessions.

  • Accepted formats: WAV, MP3, M4A, AAC, AIFF
  • 3 slots + on‑the‑fly bypass
  • Automatic disk persistence
Reference
01 Track A — Master.wav
03:42 Active
02 Reference Mix 02.mp3
04:08 Bypass
03 Bandcamp pick — Stems.m4a
02:55 Bypass
Tonal balance

The verdict, band by band.

Spectra slices the signal into 4, 6 or 8 bands and computes the RMS gap with the reference. Too much sub? Lacking presence? The info is clear, measurable, and ready to translate into your EQ moves.

  • Pick 4 / 6 / 8 bands
  • +/− dB indicator per band
  • Smooth refresh during playback
Tonal balance
Sub +1.8 dB
Bass +0.6 dB
Low-mid −0.4 dB
Mid −1.2 dB
Presence −2.6 dB
Air −0.8 dB
Multiple sources

From system audio to mic, with zero fiddling.

Capture macOS system output directly (sandbox‑friendly built‑in loopback), or use any CoreAudio input. Plug in an audio interface, listen to a Bandcamp track, analyze a Logic session: Spectra follows.

  • macOS system output loopback
  • All CoreAudio inputs
  • Optional auto‑start
Multiple sources
System output
Everything macOS plays
Loopback
Built‑in microphone
MacBook Pro · 16"
Input
Apollo Twin X
Universal Audio · 48 kHz
CoreAudio
Scarlett 2i2
Focusrite · ch. 1+2
CoreAudio
Privacy

No tracking. Ever.

Everything runs locally, inside the macOS sandbox. No telemetry, no account, no cloud. Your references, your sessions, your mixes stay on your machine.

  • Sandbox App Store‑ready
  • No outbound connection
  • Native Swift + Flutter code
Privacy
Outbound network
0 requests
Spectra contacts no server.
Stored data
~/Library/Application Support
Your references, local — that's it.
App Sandbox
Active
audio-input files.user-selected.read-only cs.allow-jit
Workflow

Three steps. Not one more.

  1. Step 01

    Pick a source

    System output, mic, audio interface… Spectra wires everything through CoreAudio in two clicks.

  2. Step 02

    Load a reference

    Drop a WAV/MP3/M4A/AAC/AIFF file. The orange curve appears, you now have your target.

  3. Step 03

    Mix. Tweak. Decide.

    Play your track. Compare. The band‑by‑band balance tells you where to correct. You know where to reach for the EQ.

Who is it for?

If you actually listen, you'll love it.

Audio engineers

Calibrate your monitoring, validate a mastering chain, compare two buses: Spectra puts your ears in front of the numbers.

Producers & beatmakers

Reference a track that slaps, pinpoint where the low‑end softness comes from, adjust without guessing.

Demanding home studios

Understand your room, spot a 200 Hz bump, dial in air. Without a mastering‑studio budget.

Audio enthusiasts

Inspect a master, compare two pressings, watch what your DAC really does.

Available now

Give your mixes what they deserve.

Try Spectra free for 7 days, then unlock the app for $10 with a license key.

Download the demo (7 days) Buy a license — $10
Version 1.0
  • · Real‑time spectrum, 4/6/8‑band balance
  • · 3 persistent references (WAV/MP3/M4A/AAC/AIFF)
  • · Optional auto‑start
  • · 100% local, macOS sandbox
FAQ

Questions we get.

Is Spectra available on Windows or Linux?
Not yet. The app uses CoreAudio and macOS loopback to capture system output without any third‑party driver. A Windows version is being considered, no timeline yet.
Which audio formats can I load as a reference?
WAV, MP3, M4A, AAC, AIFF and CAF. Decoding is native via AVAudioFile, so fast and accurate.
How many references can I keep?
Three simultaneous slots, freely reorderable. They're saved to disk and restored at the next launch.
How does the 7‑day trial work?
On first launch, Spectra starts a 7‑day full‑feature trial. When it expires, you enter a license key to keep going. No account required: the key is a large number you paste into the app.
How much does Spectra cost?
$10 for a lifetime license, valid on your personal machines. No subscription.
Does the app send any data?
No. No telemetry, no analytics, no account. The only outbound connection is the initial license activation; after that, nothing.