Decibel vs Voxengo SPAN
Decibel
process.audio
Voxengo SPAN
voxengo.comSide by side
| Figure | Decibel | Voxengo SPAN |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Spec score · Audio Analysis Software | 8.4 (#6) | 7.9 (#21) |
| Authorization | The product page specifies iLok authorization, and the trial instructions require an iLok account and License Manager. | Free Voxengo plugins do not require a product key or online authorization. |
| Formats | The product page lists 64-bit AU, VST3, and AAX plugin formats, plus a standalone version. | Official downloads provide VST, VST3, AudioUnit, and AAX builds. |
| Metering | Its modules measure loudness (LUFS), dynamics (TrueDyn), true peak, RMS, frequency content, and stereo phase. | It includes EBU R128 and K-system metering, RMS and true-peak level measurement, clipping detection, and a stereo correlation meter. |
| Privacy and security | The privacy policy says the company uses physical, technical, and administrative safeguards, while noting that transmission or storage cannot be guaranteed fully secure. | Voxengo's site privacy policy says it anonymizes IP addresses before storing them in its long-term database and uses security technologies and procedures to help protect personal information. |
| Purpose | Decibel provides customizable real-time audio metering for sound engineers and video makers. | SPAN is a free real-time FFT audio frequency spectrum analyzer plugin for professional audio and music production applications. |
| Support | Process.Audio says it usually responds to support messages within 24 hours. | Voxengo says customer support issues are handled as soon as possible and directs users to its product-specific Q&A before contacting staff. |
| 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. | The stated minimum is a 2.5 GHz dual-core processor and 4 GB RAM; Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10 and later plus macOS 10.12 and later are listed, with Apple Silicon and current macOS versions supported. |
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.
Voxengo SPAN
Voxengo SPAN is a free real-time FFT spectrum analyzer plugin for audio and music production applications. It analyzes stereo, mono, mid-side, and surround signals, including 5.1 and 7.1, and can display spectra from two channels or channel groups at once. Metering includes EBU R128 and K-system readings, RMS and true-peak measurements, clipping detection, and stereo correlation. Users can adjust FFT block size, window overlap, visual slope, smoothing, and a secondary spectrum display. Other functions include output power statistics, channel routing and grouping, presets, undo and redo, and A/B comparisons. SPAN is available for Windows and macOS in VST, VST3, and AAX formats, with AudioUnit also listed for Mac. The maker lists Windows XP and later and macOS 10.12 and later, with 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 workaround works only in some hosts.