Part 1 of iPhone, an Audio Engineer’s BFF.
An RTA? In your Pocket? On your iPhone? Whoa.
It’s a bit easier to whip out your… iPhone, than to set up your Smaart Rig. Although, not QUITE as accurate.
Any of these RTAs can be used with the Built In or External Mic (headset mic included)… But for a non headset external mic, you have to find/make an adapter to move it to the third connector on the 1/8th inch cable. But the internal mic has been working just fine for me.
Pocket RTA – By Clickgamer.com
Feature Rich and Customizable is the best way to describe Pocket RTA. The Proof is in the features.
- Multiple possible inputs (Built-In Mic, Headset/External Mic)
- Freq Response of Internal Mic is Accounted for/Adjusted
- Several Tools/Modes
- Linear Narrow band or Logarithmic Narrow Band RTA
- Octave or 1/3 Octave RTA
- Spectrogram
- dB Meter ( SPL)
- Oscilloscope
- Calibration (+ or – Gain), Separate for RTAs and SPL
- Capture up to 3 Signals
From the vast amount of options and features with this App, this may become my new RTA of choice.
Check back for a full look into this App when I get a little more time in with it.
Signal Scope – by Faber Acoustical
Signal Scope was the first RTA on the market for the iPhone, and has been the most reliable in my opinion.
Features
Multiple possible inputs (Built-In Mic, Headset/External Mic, Accelerometer)- Horizontal or Vertical Views
- Cursor to select certain frequencies, or peak frequencies
- Zooming
I’ve used this app to ring out many – a – monitors… And highly recommend it. There is a steep price (for an app), but it’s still cheaper than a decent 25ft xlr keep in mind.
FFT – by Studio Six DigitalFFT by Studio Six Digital is just what the name describes, a Fast Fourier Transform app for the iPhone. What is a Fast Fourier Transform, you ask? Fast Fourier Transform is an algorithm that calculates amplitude vs. frequency.
This great FFT RTA by Studio Six Digital does not calculate the SPL by frequency bands (although, you can “smooth” the response by frequency bands” but instead displays a much more accurate graph of SPL/Frequency.
- Full Signal Generator Within the App
- White or Pink Noise
- Sine or Square wave by Freq
- Variable Smoothing (by Octave up to 1/24 Octave to None)
- Variable Decay Time (None to 8s, as well as Peak Hold and Average)
- Calibration (+/- Mic Gain)
- External or Internal Mic
- Audio Pass Through
- Balanced/Unbalanced Output
- Variable FFT Types (128 points to 16384)
- Scalable, Zoom in and Out
- Focus on One Freq, shows Max dB and exact Freq
It’s almost two for one with this app, a full RTA as well as a Full Signal Generator…
RTA – by Studio Six DigitalRTA by Studio Six Digital is by far the simplest RTA out there, putting functionality (and price) first.
- 1/3 Octave, or Octave Mode
- Variable Hold (None to 60s, as well as peak hold and average)
- Save/Recall functions to save Graphs, as well as save to Photo Roll
- Internal or External Mic
- Calibration of Mic (+/- Gain)
- Noise Curve Overlays
- Pink Noise Generator
RTa also features a touch and drag focus point, letting you see the frequency you’re focusing on, as well as the relative dB level.
This RTA provides great functionality, and provides a great choice for those who just want a simple RTA.
RTA by Studio Six Digital – $9.99 
I am an audio engineer and considering an iPhone RTA. I really would prefer purchasing one app that is feature laden with great implementation. It seems I have narrowed down to Signal Scope 2 (with it's upgrades to Signal Scope Pro) or Pocket RTA. There have not been enough reviews of Signal Scope Pro for me to be sold and am wondering if anyone else has any other comments or has tested it extensively. Thank you for any information.
Hello,
i´m wondering which software to buy, Signalscope or Pocket RTA, what do you recommend?