Cheap RTA
Key Features
- 30-band, one-third-octave real-time frequency display
- LED-style metering with 4 dB per LED
- Analyzes mono tracks and summed stereo signals
- Passes the incoming audio through unchanged
- Resizable window for different screen layouts
- Simple display with no analysis parameters to configure
Description
Cheap RTA is a real-time spectrum analyzer from reFuse Software that displays audio across 30 one-third-octave bands. Its LED-style display gives producers and engineers a quick visual overview of frequency content while a track plays.
The analyzer works on mono or stereo tracks. For a stereo input it sums the channels to mono for analysis, while passing the original audio through unchanged; it therefore shows the combined signal rather than separate left and right spectra.
There are no analysis parameters to configure, and each LED represents a 4 dB step. That makes the display approachable for a broad tonal check, though it offers less detailed control than an analyzer with adjustable resolution or separate channel views.
The window can be resized across a wide range of dimensions and aspect ratios, so it can fit alongside other DAW windows. The developer describes the processing as lightweight, making it suited to keeping a visual reference open during a session.
Cheap RTA comes in VST3, Audio Unit and AAX formats for supported 64-bit hosts on macOS and Windows. On Apple Silicon Macs, the developer says it runs through Rosetta 2 rather than natively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Cheap RTA change the sound of a track?
No. The developer says the input audio passes through unchanged while the plugin analyzes it.
How does it handle stereo audio?
It sums the stereo channels to mono for frequency analysis. The audio passed through the plugin remains unchanged.
Does Cheap RTA run natively on Apple Silicon?
The developer says Cheap RTA runs on Apple Silicon through Rosetta 2. Check your host’s compatibility with Rosetta when using the plugin.
Can I adjust the analysis settings?
There are no analysis parameters to adjust. You can resize the window to suit your workspace.
