In this week's Friday Free Plug-in, we are featuring Bitter From Stillwell Audio, a bitscope and intersample clip monitor.

What is Bitter?

Bitter shows how many of the available bits are being used by the audio signal, reports clipping samples, and estimates when digital-to-analogue conversion would cause inter-sample clips. Typical uses for a bitscope include verifying that a render dither is working properly, verifying that a particular plugin is not reducing the signal bit depth or testing for faulty audio source data.

Bit Tree Display

Each bit’s usage in each stereo channel is shown by a horizontal line: the shorter the line, the less the audio signal uses that bit. A missing line indicates a bit that is not used at all. A line the full width of the window indicates a stuck-bit error. Within a given bit depth, the bit tree display can be read as a dynamic range meter. A signal that is always loud and never quiet will have longer lines at the top of the display than the bottom.

How Do I Get This Plug-in?

Go to the Stilwell Audio Website, download and install.

Bitter is available for Mac and Windows in VST, Audio Units, and AAX formats. Compatible for Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Studio One, Cubase and any DAW that supports AU, VST or AAX. No iLok account is required.