Blue Cat's FreqAnalyst
bluecataudio.com
What it is
Blue Cat's FreqAnalyst is a free plug-in for monitoring the spectral content of mono or stereo audio in real time. It displays spectrum, instant curve and peak curve views, with continuous changes rendered using smooth interpolation. Users can zoom the display, choose among sizes and set absolute or relative thresholds. The interface supports skins, transparency and zoom customization, while MIDI control, automation and MIDI Learn provide ways to control the plug-in. A preset manager is included, and users can copy and paste a plug-in state between instances. FreqAnalyst is not a standalone app: it requires a compatible audio host and is available in VST, VST3, AAX and Audio Unit formats for macOS and Windows. The stated operating systems are macOS 10.9 or newer and Windows Vista, 7, 8, 10 or 11. It supports up to two channels. The maker says processing stops when the input is silent, so it uses no CPU while idle.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- FreqAnalyst is a free plug-in for monitoring an audio signal’s spectral content in real time.Read 8 Oct 2026 · bluecataudio.com
- Security
- The maker says its Mac installers and plug-ins have been notarized to avoid security warnings on macOS Catalina and newer.Read 8 Oct 2026 · bluecataudio.com
- Support
- Blue Cat Audio provides a knowledge base, help desk, forum, and tutorials for product support.Read 8 Oct 2026 · bluecataudio.com
- Headquarters
- Paris, FranceRead 28 Sep 2026 · bluecataudio.com
- Company
- Blue Cat Audio develops audio software for musicians and audio professionals and is a privately held company based in Paris, France.Read 8 Oct 2026 · bluecataudio.com
- Analysis
- It analyzes mono and stereo audio and displays continuous spectral changes using a smooth interpolation algorithm.Read 8 Oct 2026 · bluecataudio.com
- Customization
- The interface supports Blue Cat’s skinning language, transparency, and zoom customization.Read 8 Oct 2026 · bluecataudio.com
- Display controls
- The display can be zoomed, shown in multiple sizes, and configured with custom absolute and relative thresholds.Read 8 Oct 2026 · bluecataudio.com
- Formats
- The product page lists VST, VST3, AAX, and Audio Unit formats for Mac and Windows.Read 8 Oct 2026 · bluecataudio.com
- Host requirements
- It requires a compatible VST, Audio Unit, or AAX host; Mac hosts must be 64-bit, while Windows hosts may be 32- or 64-bit.Read 8 Oct 2026 · bluecataudio.com
- MIDI and automation
- The plug-in supports MIDI control, automation, and MIDI Learn.Read 8 Oct 2026 · bluecataudio.com
- Operating systems
- The listed requirements are macOS 10.9 or newer and Windows Vista, 7, 8, 10, or 11.Read 8 Oct 2026 · bluecataudio.com
- Performance
- The plug-in shuts down processing when fed silence, so it uses no CPU while idle according to the maker.Read 8 Oct 2026 · bluecataudio.com
- Presets
- It includes a preset manager and lets users copy and paste plug-in state between instances.Read 8 Oct 2026 · bluecataudio.com
- Processor support
- The Mac version supports Intel or Apple Silicon processors, and the Windows version requires an SSE2-enabled processor such as Pentium 4 or newer.Read 8 Oct 2026 · bluecataudio.com
Plans and prices
FreqAnalyst Free Freeware · real-time spectrum analyzer plug-in Read 8 Oct 2026 · bluecataudio.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Free plan with no free-trial requirement.
- Three analysis views: spectrum, instant curve and peak curve.
- Display zoom and custom threshold controls.
- MIDI control, automation and MIDI Learn.
- VST, VST3, AAX and Audio Unit formats.
Limits
- Requires a compatible audio host; no standalone app.
- Limited to two channels.
- Mac hosts must be 64-bit.
Who it suits
It suits musicians and audio professionals who need real-time spectrum and curve views within a compatible audio host. Its two-channel maximum and listed host requirements are important fit considerations.
Verdict
FreqAnalyst combines real-time analysis views with adjustable display controls in a free host-based plug-in. Check the two-channel limit, host compatibility and available format before choosing it.
Where Specifiction places it
- Audio Analysis Software#14 of 438.0
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