Choosing the right plugins can be overwhelming due to the sheer number of options available. With each plugin boasting unique features and sound qualities, making an informed buying decision requires a thorough testing process. Blind tests are a powerful way to objectively compare plugins without being influenced by brand names or preconceived notions. In this article, we will explore the best practices for testing plugins, offering valuable tips and tricks to ensure you choose the right tools for your music production needs. Additionally, we'll introduce some free tools that can help you conduct these tests efficiently and effectively.
ABX and blind testing are the best techniques for objectively comparing audio plugins by removing biases that influence our perceptions.
ABX Testing: This involves comparing two audio samples (A and B) and testing a third sample (X) to determine whether it matches A or B. The tester is unaware of which sample is A or B during the test, ensuring judgment is based purely on what they hear.
Blind Testing: Similar to ABX testing, blind testing hides the identities of the audio samples, ensuring decisions are not influenced by brand names, price tags, or preconceived notions.
These methods eliminate several psychological biases:
Tools for ABX and Blind Testing
Several tools facilitate ABX and blind testing, making the process more accessible and efficient.
There is a free version (3 tracks limit) and a paid version.
Bertom's EQ Curve Analyzer is a powerful free tool designed to analyze the frequency response (magnitude and phase) of any plugin or hardware. This plugin is particularly useful for understanding the impact of EQs and other audio effects on your sound. For instance you can easily match EQ curves of hardware emulations with your favorite parametric EQ like Pro-Q 3.
Also it easily detects "hidden gain" a lot of plugins introduce in their default state. You can easily uncover things like that, making sure you won't be biased just because a plugin introduces clean gain in addition to it's original processing.
Features and Benefits:
EQ Curve Analyzer simplifies the process of frequency analysis, making it an invaluable tool for both learning and precise audio engineering.
Understanding a plugin's harmonic response helps you assess its impact on your sound. This can be done using a test tone generator or oscillator with a frequency analyzer.
Concept Overview:
How to Perform Harmonic Response Analysis:
TDR Prism is a modern frequency analyzer focused on human audio perception. It provides precise insights into the spectral properties of a signal and is highly configurable and user-friendly. The great thing about Prism is, that you can compare signal of several plugin instances. This makes it the perfect tool to compare the harmonic response of two or more plugins.
The free version of Voxengo Span is a very popular option among professionals. It is a real-time FFT spectrum analyzer plugin for professional audio production. It offers detailed visual analysis of the audio spectrum, making it a great tool to check for harmonic response and aliasing.
In audio production, the phenomenon known as "louder sounds better" can significantly bias our perception when comparing plugins. Our ears tend to favor louder sounds, making it difficult to objectively assess the true impact of a plugin on the audio signal. This is where gain matching plugins come into play.
Gain matching tools help maintain consistent volume levels when comparing processed and unprocessed audio signals, ensuring that loudness does not influence our judgment. By automatically matching the gain, these plugins allow for a fairer and more objective comparison.
Our favorite gain matching plugin is LetiMix GainMatch but there other notable tools like HoRNet CLMS or the free MAGC by MeldaProductions.
LetMix GainMatch is an gain matching plugin that ensures accurate level comparisons before and after processing, eliminating biases caused by volume differences.
Features:
GainMatch is a versatile tool that provides unbiased and accurate audio comparisons and it only costs you $19.
Overview: PluginDoctor by DDMF is the comprehensive tool for analyzing VST and AU plugins, filling a crucial gap in the market. Whether you're a developer testing your latest plugin or a power user seeking to understand the precise effects of a plugin, PluginDoctor is the go-to solution for in-depth analysis.
Why PluginDoctor is the Standard: PluginDoctor offers a unique combination of features and flexibility, making it the standard for plugin testing and analysis. Its double precision FFT engine, independent stereo channel analysis, and extensive range of testing modes provide unparalleled insight into plugin behavior.
Key Features:
Usage:
PluginDoctor's comprehensive feature set and user-friendly design make it the ultimate tool for anyone serious about plugin testing and audio analysis. The price is usually around $50 at the DDMF shop.
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