The RNDigital (Roger Nichols) Inspector Free is a plug-in that is available for free straight from RND's website. The plug-in is basically a spectrum analyzer as well as a metering tool. It's available for both PC and Mac operating systems, and in VST, Audio Units, or RTAS plug-in formats. Downloading and installing the plug-in only takes a short minute, and I can't imagine too many people having a problem doing so. The interface of the plug-in certainly has a good amount to offer, especially for a free plug-in. The plug-in shows you not only the full range of frequencies in the form of a spectrum analyzer, but also will show you your overall output levels and a full breakdown of any and all clipping going on. You can actually set the amount of headroom that you'd like and have it alarm you whenever it clips. A manual shouldn't be necessary, but there is one available if you think you might need it.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

I'm currently running the RN Digital Inspector Free plug-in on a Mac Book Pro that has a 2.2 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 4 GB of RAM. I run the RTAS version of the plug-in in Pro Tools LE 8 that I run with a Digi 002R audio interface. Being that you'll never have a need to run more than one of these at a time, 99% of users shouldn't have a problem running this. It's free so you might as well try it for yourself...

OVERALL OPINION

As far as the free plug-ins out there for Pro Tools go, the RN Digital Inspector Free is probably the most helpful overall. While there are definitely some nice sounding effects plug-ins out there for free, this plug-in is helpful on another level, especially in a home studio setting where you might not have the best monitoring available. It's an awesome all in one stop to check on your metering and your frequency spectrum. The fact that it's free just makes it all the more sweet...