Comp that displays wave form pre/post compression?

[Dimension Zero]

Does anyone know of a compressor that displays the wave form pre/post compression? I have seen frequency meters as plugins but think it would be useful to view wave forms in real time to show dynamics. I'm imagining a compressor with a window that shows the before and after of say a second (or measure) of the audio. Now, I know you can do this with bounce to disk but I would like something to use during the mixing process to analyze the shape of a kick drum/snare/vocal before/after compression.

Now, I know the saying "Use you ears" but frequency analyzers have proven to be a useful tool. What about a dynamic analyzer (more than just gain and reduction) built into a comp plugin? I would love to see how much attack I am leaving in a kick or how much dynamics I am killing in the vocal.

[Drew Mazurek]

never seen one. probably too much overhead to devote to a process that is ultimately eye candy. would be cool though. something you might see as computer get even faster and have cycles to spare.

[Andre Knecht]

SpectraFoo, among its many “instruments,” features a level historygram. If so inclined, one could instantiate a pair of these—before and after a specific plug—and observe the differences. The problem is that at the moment—since the transition to OSX, some 27 years ago—there’s no Foo for PT, only for fighting.

Other than that, Elemental Audio’s “InspectorXL” features the Spectragram Analyzer, an instrument which will display a level history, albeit by frequency, as opposed to overall level.

You can view it (and/or download a demo) at Elemental Audio’s web site.

(Once there, click on “Screen Shot”—immediately above the pic—for some better and more detailed images. Pic #2 is that of the Spectragram.)

IHTH.