IrcamLAB The Snail

The Snail is an incredibly high - precision frequency - domain analyzer. It offers an easy - to - understand way to represent sounds, basing on scales and notes in spectrally active zones. This tool provides a brand - new method to tune and analyze musical instruments with extreme accuracy. It visualizes music and sounds, helping users improve their listening and intonation skills! Compared to standard Fourier - type spectrum analyzers, its frequency accuracy is boosted by a demodulated phase process. This is a patented technology from the IRCAM - CNRS - UPMC laboratory. Available for Mac and Windows as a Standalone app, and as AAX, AU, and VST3 plugins. It has two modes: Music Mode for complex polyphonic music and Tuner Mode for instrument tuning with high - resolution analysis. There are also multiple display views: Snail View shows real - time fundamental frequencies and harmonics; Zoomed Tuner View is like a precise traditional tuner; Sonogram View offers a standard time - based sound spectrum. Features include a simple interface, ultimate tuning accuracy, various view combinations, an audio player, live input, adjustable tuning reference, and more. System requirements are MacOS 10.10 Yosemite - 11 Big Sur (Intel only), Windows 7 and above (64 - bit only), 2GB RAM or more, and compatible host software for plugins.

Using The Snail is quite straightforward. First, decide whether you want to use the Music Mode for complex polyphonic music or the Tuner Mode for tuning your instrument. In the Tuner Mode, you can get more accurate analysis results. Then, choose a display view that suits your needs. The Snail View gives you a real - time look at frequencies, the Zoomed Tuner View is great for precise tuning, and the Sonogram View shows the sound spectrum over time. If you want to analyze a song, use the audio player with waveform display. For tuning external sources, use the live input feature. You can also adjust the tuning reference pitch and use the transposing feature. When it comes to system requirements, make sure your Mac runs on OS 10.10 Yosemite - 11 Big Sur (Intel only) or your Windows is 7 or above (64 - bit only) with at least 2GB of RAM. Also, have compatible host software if you're using it as a plugin. As for maintenance, keep your operating system and the software up - to - date to ensure the best performance. If you encounter any problems, check the software's official website for updates or support.