Abstract: A method and apparatus for quantitatively measuring sound from a phonographic-type record disc and using such measurements to analyze the sound characteristics and to thereby improve the sound recording. Selection of one or more sound samples to be taken from a phonographic-type record disc are made and electrical signals representative of these samples on the record disc are generated. These signals may be filtered in order to obtain individual frequency bands and decibel levels for each of the frequency bands is determined. Decibel levels for certain of or all frequencies or bands of frequencies for each sample may be averaged. In this way, it is possible to obtain signals representing decibel levels as a function of frequency for each discrete sample. The signals are used to present a profile of the decibel levels with respect to the frequency and for the selected time interval of each sample in order to thereby enable evaluation of the sound characteristics of that record disc.