Decibel vs Open Audio Analyzer
Decibel
process.audio
Open Audio Analyzer
open-audio-analyzer.comSide by side
| Figure | Decibel | Open Audio Analyzer |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Spec score · Audio Analysis Software | 8.4 (#6) | 8.6 (#5) |
| Maker | Process.Audio describes itself as the software division of pureMix, founded by music professionals led by Fab Dupont. | The site identifies Jonas Grunau as its publisher and gives Kirchheim, Germany as the address. |
| Purpose | Decibel provides customizable real-time audio metering for sound engineers and video makers. | Open Audio Analyzer is a free, open-source loudness and spectrum analyzer for live audio and audio files. |
| Support | Process.Audio says it usually responds to support messages within 24 hours. | Technical support is directed to the public GitHub issue tracker, with documentation covering installation, metrics, keyboard controls, wire protocol and building. |
| System requirements | Minimum requirements include an Intel Core i5, 8 GB RAM, Windows 8.1/10/11 (64-bit), or macOS 10.13 or later; Apple Silicon M1 or later is supported. | Official desktop minimums are macOS 14.2, Windows 10 version 1809, or Linux; macOS packages are universal for Apple silicon and Intel. |
Plans
In their own words
Decibel
Decibel provides customizable real-time audio metering for sound engineers and video makers, and can also analyze tracks offline. Its modules measure loudness (LUFS), dynamics (TrueDyn), true peak, RMS, frequency content, and stereo phase. Users can drag a track into the app for offline analysis and export measurement statistics. Available analysis views include LUFS, histogram, spectrum, spectrogram, VU, digital meter, phase scope, stereo cloud, and super meter. Decibel comes as 64-bit AU, VST3, and AAX plugins, plus a standalone version. The product page lists compatibility with Pro Tools, Cubase, Logic Pro X, Ableton, Studio One, and Luna, as well as Premiere Pro; DaVinci Resolve and Final Cut Pro are described as coming soon. It can connect unlimited iOS and Android displays over Wi-Fi or USB for real-time metering. Decibel is listed for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. The maker says it complies with ATSC A/85, EBU R128, Netflix, and DVD/Blu-ray broadcast standards. Licenses are perpetual and include free updates, with no subscriptions.
Open Audio Analyzer
Open Audio Analyzer is free, open-source software for measuring loudness and spectrum in live audio and audio files. Its fourteen meter types include loudness, true peak, VU, spectrum, spectrogram, oscilloscope, phase scope and histogram. Loudness measurements follow EBU R 128 and ITU-R BS.1770-4, with momentary, short-term and integrated LUFS, loudness range and oversampled true peak. Users can arrange meters across tabs, save presets, choose delivery targets for streaming or broadcast, and create their own targets. A command-line tool analyzes individual files or album folders and can produce reports or CSV output. VST3 and Audio Unit plugins send measurements and DAW transport position to the app. An AAX plugin is in the plugin archive but is not signed for a released Pro Tools version. A tablet on the same network can display the app's published measurements over Wi-Fi. The maker says measurements stay on-device and audio is neither stored nor transmitted. The remote display link has no encryption or authentication. The app runs on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS and Windows.