Frequently Asked Questions

Audit Audio is a diagnostic analysis tool for music producers, mix engineers, and mastering engineers. It objectively compares your mix against a reference track, identifying frequency imbalances, dynamic range deviations, and stereo field differences — giving you actionable data instead of subjective guesswork. Think of it as a lab report for your audio. Instead of asking "does this sound good?", you get answers to "how close is my spectral balance to the reference?", "where are my problem frequencies?", and "will this collapse in mono?"

Spectrum analyzer plugins show you what's happening in your mix. Audit Audio shows you how your mix compares to a reference — and more importantly, what to do about the differences. The Variance Map grades each frequency band by severity (Minor / Moderate / Critical), giving you a prioritized action list instead of a raw frequency display. It's the difference between looking at a thermometer and getting a diagnosis. Additionally, Audit Audio runs as a standalone application, so it works identically across any DAW and doesn't consume plugin slots or CPU during your mixing session.

Audit Audio is built for three groups: music producers who want objective feedback on their mixes before sending to clients or labels, mix engineers who need a systematic way to verify their work across multiple reference tracks, and mastering engineers who want a second opinion on spectral balance, dynamics, and stereo imaging. If you've ever finished a mix, listened to it in the car, and thought "something's off but I can't tell what" — Audit Audio tells you what.

We plan to support the most common production formats at launch: WAV (all sample rates and bit depths), AIFF, FLAC, and high-quality MP3. Support for additional formats will be added based on beta community feedback. If you work with a specific format you'd like to see supported, let us know during beta.

Audit Audio is a standalone desktop application. It runs independently of your DAW, which means it works alongside any production environment — Ableton Live, Logic Pro, FL Studio, Pro Tools, Cubase, or anything else you use. You export your mix, load it into Audit Audio alongside a reference track, and get your diagnostic results. This standalone approach has two advantages: it works with any DAW with zero setup, and it doesn't consume CPU or plugin slots during your mixing session.

All audio analysis runs locally on your machine. Your tracks never leave your computer. We do not upload, store, or retain your audio files on any remote server. This ensures both your creative work stays private and the analysis runs as fast as your hardware allows. The only network activity is optional: checking for updates and submitting beta feedback.

No. The core analysis engine runs entirely offline. An internet connection is only needed for the initial download, receiving product updates, and participating in beta feedback. Your day-to-day analysis workflow is fully offline-capable.

At launch, Audit Audio will support macOS (Monterey 12.0 and later) and Windows (Windows 10 version 21H2 and later). Linux support is on the development roadmap and prioritized based on beta community demand. Both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs are natively supported with optimized builds for each architecture.

Beta access gives you early access to the Audit Audio desktop application with the full diagnostic suite: Spectrum Analysis, Variance Map, Dynamic Range measurement, and Stereo Field analysis. As a beta user, you'll get priority input on feature development, direct communication with the team, and the opportunity to shape the product before public launch. No credit card is required to join the beta. We built this for producers, and we want it shaped by producers.

Beta users get access to a dedicated feedback channel where you can report issues, suggest features, and share your workflow needs directly with the development team. Your input directly influences what gets built next. We review every piece of feedback and prioritize the roadmap based on what real producers tell us they need — not what we assume they need.

The Variance Map is a spectral overlay that visualizes the exact frequency differences between your mix and a reference track. It breaks the spectrum into six critical bands — SUB, LOW, LO-MID, MID, HI-MID, and HIGH — and measures your deviation from the reference in decibels. Each band receives a severity grade: Minor (<1.5dB deviation), Moderate (1.5-3dB), or Critical (>3dB). Think of it as a heatmap for your frequency balance, giving you a surgical priority list: fix the Critical bands first, then work through Moderate. The result is faster, more targeted mix decisions.

The diagnostic dashboard gives you six key readouts: Integrated LUFS (loudness per ITU-R BS.1770-4), Dynamic Range (crest factor and PLR), Stereo Width (per-band correlation and spread), Peak & RMS levels, Phase Correlation, and an overall Balance Score (1-10). Each metric updates in real time as you analyze your track, giving you a complete picture of your mix's technical health in one consolidated view.

At launch, Audit Audio supports one-to-one comparison between your mix and a single reference track. Multi-reference comparison — the ability to benchmark your mix against several references simultaneously — is on the development roadmap and prioritized based on beta community demand. We recognize that many producers reference 2-3 tracks during mixing, and we're actively designing this feature.

Audit Audio is a diagnostic tool, not a replacement for a skilled mastering engineer. It provides objective measurements that complement human judgment — not replace it. The spectral analysis uses the same measurement standards (ITU-R BS.1770, EBU R128) that professional metering tools use. The Variance Map's frequency resolution (1/12 octave) matches the precision of professional mastering-grade analyzers. What it doesn't do is make creative decisions — that's still your job. It tells you what's happening; you decide what to do about it.

Yes. All four diagnostic tools support PDF export, giving you clean, professional reports you can share with clients, collaborators, or label A&R. The reports include all key metrics, the Variance Map visualizations, and a summary of findings. Many beta users find these reports invaluable for client communication — instead of saying "the low end needs work," you can send a report showing exactly which frequency bands and by how much.