Research • Signal Processing • Acoustics

Pioneering the science of sound signal.

Since 1998, Tympanum Labs has built research-grade tools for acoustics, signal analysis, and frequency intelligence. Our flagship software, Waveform Analyzer Pro, sets the standard for uncovering hidden patterns in complex audio streams.

About

Turning waves into knowledge

Founded in Palo Alto by a team of acousticians, computer scientists, and physicists, Tympanum Labs focuses on understanding the language of vibration and making it practical for science and industry. We sit at the intersection of signal processing, machine learning, and experimental acoustics.

“We transform sound into knowledge — by turning the invisible patterns of waves into actionable insights.”

At a glance

  • Established 1998 • Palo Alto, CA
  • Customers across research labs, universities, and industry
  • Specialties: frequency analysis, anomaly detection, bioacoustics

Leadership

Dr. Eliza Warren — Head of Acoustic Research

Jonathan Wells, PhD — Director of Signal Intelligence

Product

Waveform Analyzer Pro

The market‑leading tool for analysis, classification, and visualization of complex audio signals.

Real‑time analysis

Capture and inspect arbitrary frequency spectra with research‑grade performance and precision.

Neural pattern detection

Identify anomalies and recurring structures using built‑in machine learning pipelines.

Deep Frequency Mapping™

Our proprietary visualization engine reveals structures that traditional spectrograms miss.

Open exports

Seamless export to CSV, MATLAB, and Excel for downstream analysis and reporting.

Broad applications

Machinery health, bioacoustics, speech & music research, safety & defense, and more.

Flexible by design

Built to adapt to unconventional signal scenarios — from animal calls to synthetic waveforms.

Editors’ Choice 2017

Featured in AudioTech Software Review (Issue 11/2017).

Basic interface

Waveform analysis and editing
Display and edit waveforms

Frequency/tone mapping

Shows splitscreen between waveform and notes
Note detection - eighth note/quaver precision

Basic Audio Settings

Settings dialog: Basic audio settings
Configure basic audio handling and file handling

Advanced Audio Settings

Settings dialog: Advanced audio settings
Sophisticated control over processing and analysis

Spectrum Analysis

UI: Example of spectrum analyser
See audio spectrum analysis

Notes detection

UI: Dialogue of notes detection
Set markers, correlate notes in waveform sections

Export data functions

UI dialogue: Export detected notes
Export analysis results and notes as .csv

Dashboard (light)

Waveform Analyzer Pro - Dashboard Open Record Analyze Export Help Sessions Amplitude Time (s)
Old‑school, no‑frills UI — light mode.

Spectrogram (dark)

Waveform Analyzer Pro - Spectrogram Amplitude Time (s)
Blocky spectrogram — dark mode.

Request a demo

Interested in a guided walkthrough? Send us a note and we’ll get back to you with a sandbox build.

Research

Publications & Collaborations

Whitepapers

  • Adaptive Frequency Binning for Anomaly Detection (PDF)
  • Neural Embeddings for Non‑stationary Signals (PDF)
  • Cross‑domain Bioacoustic Feature Transfer (PDF)

Collaborations

We work with governmental and private research partners worldwide on acoustics and signal intelligence initiatives.

Press & Awards

Recognized by the experts

AudioTech Software Review — Issue 11/2017

“Among all tested solutions, Tympanum Labs’ Waveform Analyzer Pro stood out for its unmatched precision in identifying hidden patterns in complex audio streams. In direct comparison, it detected 37% more anomalies than the runner‑up. Verdict: Editors’ Choice 2017.”

Sound & Signal Journal (2018)

“A tool that points the way forward for how complex frequency patterns will be studied in the years ahead.”

Blog

Thought experiments & engineering notes

2017 • Engineering Note

What if aliens spoke in music?

Sometimes our developers entertain scenarios far beyond day‑to‑day acoustics and signal processing. Imagine—purely hypothetically—encountering an intelligent life form that communicates only through tones and melodies. With Waveform Analyzer Pro, you could systematically capture those frequencies, analyze and decompose their structures, and—with a few small formulas in Excel—bootstrap the beginnings of a vocabulary.

Of course, it’s theory. But it illustrates how universally flexible the software can be — from machines and wildlife to music and beyond.

— Dr. Eliza Warren, Lead Developer

Careers

Join the team

Signal Processing Engineer (PhD)

Design DSP pipelines and inference models for non‑stationary signals.

Data Scientist — Complex Frequency Analysis

Build features and embeddings for large‑scale acoustic datasets.

Research Engineer — Bioacoustic Applications

Prototype tools for animal communication and medical acoustics.

(Experimental) Communication Specialist — Non‑terrestrial Signals

Speculative role for unconventional signal scenarios. Just for fun. 😉

Contact

Get in touch

Tympanum Labs
Research Park, Palo Alto, CA

press@tympanumlabs.com
+1‑650‑555‑0147

Media inquiries

For press kits, logos, and product screenshots, email us with your outlet and deadline.