Spek
Spek shows the frequency spectrum of an audio file as a spectrogram, so you can visually examine sound.
Developer Alexander Kojevnikov
Version 0.8.5 · Open source · Windows · macOS · Linux
Looking for an alternative to Spek?Compare MediaInfo, Audacity.Compare alternativesYou open an audio file and see how frequencies are divided over time. For example, this allows you to recognise a cut in the high frequency range or a different part of a recording. A spectrogram doesn't explain how good something sounds. The recording, filters used and original equipment also influence the image. Bacon is mainly a viewing tool and not an audio editor with which you restore the recording. Compare files only with the same scale and combine the graph with listening and information about origin.
Compare Spek with alternatives
To check audio files you can view technical metadata or the sound spectrum. Metadata tells you how a file is stored; a spectrogram shows which frequencies are present. Neither gives a complete assessment of the audible quality in itself.
| Software | What can it do? | Platform and licence |
|---|---|---|
| SpekYou are viewing this app | You are viewing a spectrogram to examine the frequency content of an audio file. You don't edit the sound with this. | Windows, macOS, LinuxOpen source |
| MediaInfoView this alternative | You will read technical data such as codec, bitrate, channels and subtitle tracks of media files. This helps with compatibility problems, without changing the content. | Windows, macOS, LinuxBSD-2-Clause |
| AudacityView this alternative | You record audio and mount multiple tracks with effects and support for plug-ins. That fits podcasts and sound editing where you want to keep a lot of control. | Windows, macOS, LinuxGPL-2.0-or-later|GPL-3.0-only|CC-BY-3.0 |
Choose an alternative to explore its features, system requirements and download options.
Who is it for?
You use Spek if you want to technically compare audio files or visually explore the contents of a recording. For cutting, noise editing or assembly you need an editor.
Getting started
Choose the download for your platform and read the beta comment at the binaries. Then open a local audio file to have the spectrogram calculated.
Privacy
You analyze local files without sending them to an online audio service. Sharing a spectrogram can show something about the content or origin of a recording.
Good to know
A spectrogram shows frequency content, but does not in itself prove how a file has ever been recorded or converted. Spek does not recover missing audio information.
Please note
Do not draw a definitive conclusion on the original quality from one frequency limit. The developer marks the binary packages of the current release for Windows and macOS as beta.
Advantages
- You can visually view frequency content.
- You can examine local files.
- The app focuses on one clear task of analysis.
Things to consider
- A spectrogram requires interpretation.
- You can't fix or mount audio.
- The offered desktop binaries have a beta designation.
Download Spek
The download page opens in a new tab.
Provider’s website · www.spek.cc
Version history
0.8.5
The release offers binaries for Windows and macOS, which are marked as beta by the creator.
Use a familiar recording to check that the analysis on your system is working properly. The graph gives signal information and is not an automatic assessment of recording quality.
Report a new version
Our verdict
Bacon is useful as an additional analysis tool for audio. It provides information about the signal, but not an automatic quality rating that can replace listening and source knowledge.
Choose Bacon for a targeted visual comparison of audio, for example two versions of the same recording. Keep the view settings equal and connect eye-catching parts of the spectrogram to what you hear. A visible pattern alone does not explain the full quality or origin of a file. For cutting, noise editing or conversion you need other software. The value lies in additional information that you interpret together with listening and source data.
Ratings
No ratings yet. Share your experience.
Log in to rate this software.
Comments
Share your experience. Comments appear after approval.
No comments yet.