How Phantom compares
Phantom takes a different approach to audio analysis. Instead of a plugin you open inside your DAW or a website you upload files to, Phantom runs inside your AI coding assistant and gives you measurement-backed decisions alongside the tools to act on them.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Phantom | iZotope Insight 2 | LEVELS | MixAnalytic | Aumixys |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | $199 | $69 | Free | Free tier |
| Open source | Yes (AGPL-3.0) | — | — | — | — |
| Spectrum analysis | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| LUFS loudness (EBU R128) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| True peak detection | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| Phase coherence | Yes (per-band) | ✓ | ✓ | — | — |
| Stereo width / imaging | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | — |
| Frequency masking detection | Yes (per-octave) | — | — | — | — |
| Problem detection (hum, clipping, mud) | Yes (9 categories) | — | Partial | — | — |
| Genre reference profiles | 9 genres | — | Presets | — | — |
| Reference track comparison | ✓ | — | ✓ | — | — |
| Stem separation | Yes (Demucs) | — | — | — | — |
| Batch analysis (multiple files) | Up to 50 files | — | — | — | — |
| AI-powered recommendations | Yes (via Claude/Cursor) | — | — | — | — |
| DAW integration | Reaper (via MCP) | VST/AU/AAX | VST/AU/AAX | Web only | Web only |
| Real-time metering | Coming soon! | ✓ | ✓ | — | — |
| CLI / automation | ✓ | — | — | — | — |
Tool by tool
Phantom
Free / open source19 analysis tools that run inside your AI assistant (Claude Code, Cursor, or any MCP-compatible client). Measures spectrum, loudness, dynamics, stereo, phase, and frequency masking. Detects 9 categories of problems. Compares against genre profiles or reference tracks. Separates stems. Batch processes up to 50 files. The AI interprets results and makes mixing decisions, not just numbers on a screen.
Best for: Engineers who want measurement-backed decisions and the ability to act on them in the same workflow. Works offline, processes local files, no uploads.
iZotope Insight 2
$199Professional metering plugin that runs inside your DAW. Real-time spectrogram, loudness history, stereo imaging, and intelligibility metering. The industry standard for visual metering in post-production and music.
Best for: Engineers who need real-time visual metering during playback. Insight shows what's happening right now. Phantom analyzes files after the fact.
Mastering The Mix LEVELS
$69Target-based metering plugin. Set a platform target (Spotify, Apple Music, CD) and LEVELS tells you if your mix hits it: loudness, stereo width, bass, dynamic range, and true peak. Simple pass/fail approach.
Best for: Quick platform compliance checks during mastering. Less analytical depth than Phantom or Insight, but faster to read.
MixAnalytic
FreeWeb-based mix analyzer. Upload a file and get a spectral analysis with EQ suggestions. Simple and accessible, no install required. Limited to spectrum analysis and basic loudness.
Best for: Quick spectral check when you don't want to install anything. No phase, stereo, dynamics, or problem detection.
Aumixys
Free tierWeb-based loudness analyzer focused on streaming platform targets. Upload your master and check LUFS against Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and others. Clean interface, limited to loudness metrics.
Best for: Checking if your master meets streaming loudness targets. No spectral, phase, or masking analysis.