IrcamLAB The Snail

The Snail is a very high-precision frequency-domain analyzer that delivers an easy to understand representation of sounds based on the scales and notes aligned in spectrally active zones.

It offers a new way of tuning and analyzing an instrument in an extremely accurate way, displaying intonation and visualizing music and sounds in a way that can help anyone improve their listening and intonation!

Think of a film camera turning at 24 frames per second filming a bicycle wheel turning at 24 revolutions a second, the spokes will appear to be standing still. That means, for a Fourier analysis of frequency at 439Hz compared to a tuning reference of 440Hz, the demodulated phase will turn at 1Hz (as a slightly de-synchronized stroboscope makes a rotating object have a slow movement). Think of audio signals 'beating' as there is an interference between two sounds at slightly different frequencies.

Compared to standard spectrum analyzers based on Fourier-type analysis, the frequency accuracy is enhanced by a process based on the demodulated phase. This system is based on a recent patented technology, conceived at the laboratory of Science and Technology of Music and Sound IRCAM-CNRS-UPMC.

This product is for Mac and Windows OS as a Standalone application, and as AAX, AU and VST3 plugins.

How Does The Snail Work?

The Modes

Music Mode - is the most suitable to view your music with, if for instance it contains complex polyphonic content.

Tuner Mode - is the preferred to help tune an instrument as it increases the resolution of the analysis.

The Display Views

Snail View - provides a representation of the fundamental frequencies and all related harmonics or overtones in real time.

Sound is displayed as 'blobs' along a spiralled view from the low frequencies in the center to higher frequencies (and their respective musical notes) up the spiral GUI.

Zoomed Tuner View - displays the hexagonal shape which rotates and slows down as you zero down to green on the exact reference frequency.

This display is the closest view to a traditional tuner while being incredibly more precise.

Sonogram View - offers a more standard representation of the sound spectrum over time (vertically), highlighting the prevailing frequencies.

This view provides more detail of the frequencies' energy for analysis.

Features

• Simple intuitive interface
• Ultimate accuracy in tuning
• Different combinations of views available
• Audio player with waveform display to allow analysis of any song or sound
• Live input for tuning of external sources
• Tuner mode or Music mode
• Adjustable Tuning Reference pitch
• Transposing feature
• Display of phase relationships possible
• Hz information display
• User adjustable color schemes
• Click and Tune
• Color grid option
• Show grid option

System Requirements

• MacOS 10.10 Yosemite - 11 Big Sur (Intel only)
• Windows 7 and above (64-bit only)
• 2GB RAM or more
• Compatible host software for plugin use

Plugin Formats

AAX Native, AU, VST3, Standalone