Budget-Limited Sound Analysis Software
I've tried to refrain from making any specific software recommendations
on this site, as it leads to people who make their living designing
these software packages either asking me to include them, or scolding
me for shunting their business. But the inquiries persist, so I put in
some ideas here. This is directed mostly to people who have limited
or absent budgets, or want to simply dabble in sound analysis. To that
end I make these recommendations as an introduction to this area. As people's
needs grow, or if someone continues to pursue bioacoustics as a profession,
they will likely look into other programs that offer more options.
First, for those who have some time, I suggest you look into several of the programs
listed on both the web resource page and the sound software page. Many offer
trial versions available as downloads, and these give a good idea of what they
do. Also, go through the general sound listings links on the web-resource
page, as you may find things there. People's preferences are different, and
you may find something more to your liking
I list four program below, that are variable in their scope. Two are available
for free, the others are relatively inexpensive. Try these out to
get you started, then perhaps you can better
understand what options you're interested in when you upgrade. Good luck.
PRAAT
speech analysis software is an excellent versatile and powerful program that
allows acoustic analyses, good graphics, and some statistics.
It was developed as a stand-alone system
for analysis of human speech. Takes a bit of time
investment to learn, but is quite powerful. To obtain the program, you request a copy
via e-mail, and the download location is provided. Available
in PC, UNIX, LINUX and MAC platforms.
Cool Edit 2000 Sound manipulation and analysis package. Very easy and intuitive
to use, and
quite flexible in applications. Does simple spectrograms and FFTs, waveform manipulations
and editing, synthesis, good noise removal procedures, and various sound "effects". Can
be downloaded and trial tested for 30-day period, after which time it still works but prevents file saving. Registration is
about $75 U.S.
Gram 6.0 by R.S. Horne--A shareware program that does simple but
effective spectrograms, and real-time sound acquisition, available as download. Actually quite simple
and effective to use if small numbers of sonograms are desired. Does not do
any signal editing, however. The shareware version limits operation to ten-minute
pieces (of work, not signals). Registration is $25. To provide accompanying editing capabilities
along with Gram, you might try a simple WAV editing program like
Wave-Flow, or some of the
other editors listed in the General Signal Editors
section of the Web Software page.
Syrinx is a nice program designed for real-time and interactive playbacks, as well as
signal imaging and editing. Although I'm not as familiar with the nuances of this program,
it has been reviewed well and looks promising as a stand-alone program.
Comments or link suggestions:
Steven L. Hopp