Audio Skeptics Society: Keen-Eared

[fHumble fHingaz]

Hi Everyone,

This is a test I've set up. The idea is to help me to analyse a process. Please have a listen to the following files & tell me your observations. They are of exactly the same song, but they are different. At this stage I won't say anymore than that.

Do you hear a difference?
What do you think it is?
What do you think has been done to make the difference?
Which file do you like better - Sample 1 or Sample 2?

You may find it helpful to download the files & compare them in your DAW doing blind tests. (right click on the file, select "Save Target As" etc)

As I said, I won't let on what is going on, but I think the results could be very helpful to us all.

Thanks,
fH fH

Please note: Sample 2 is the top one, Sample 1 is the bottom one.

[fHumble fHingaz]

D'oh! I just realised I should have put a 3rd option on the poll - "I can't tell the difference"... I tried to edit it, but it seems I can't change it, so just tell me in your reply, if that's how you feel.

[bholst]

It FEELS like maybe a little more low end on sample 1? Just seemed a little harder hitting to me. sample 2 felt just a tad cleaner to me, just a bit more clarity. Tough call. That's just what I'm hearing. Which one is better? dang dude, I like both for the very reasons that I pointed out. but they're just such subtle differences it could be my ears messing with me. Unfortunately, I had just checked out about 6-8 of those contest entries, so maybe I'm just tired. lol. I'm liking this excersise though for sure!!!! This is the kind of stuff I need to get into way more. Thank you!

-holster

[fHumble fHingaz]

It FEELS like maybe a little more low end on sample 1? Just seemed a little harder hitting to me. sample 2 felt just a tad cleaner to me, just a bit more clarity. Tough call. That's just what I'm hearing. Which one is better? dang dude, I like both for the very reasons that I pointed out. but they're just such subtle differences it could be my ears messing with me. Unfortunately, I had just checked out about 6-8 of those contest entries, so maybe I'm just tired. lol. I'm liking this excersise though for sure!!!! This is the kind of stuff I need to get into way more. Thank you!

-holster

Hey holster, thanks for your comments... much appreciated. Just a note to everyone...remember "Sample 2" is actually the first sample shown, "Sample 1" is the second. The way I have referred to the files in the poll refers to their actual file names, not the order in which they appear in the thread. (Just thought I'd clarify that point)

[rook2c4]

Sample2 seems to have more low band compression going on. Actually, too much for my taste. Although this does give it perhaps a more "modern" sound, compared to Sample1. Nevertheless, I prefer Sample1 because it sounds more dynamic and "open".

[fHumble fHingaz]

Sample2 seems to have more low band compression going on. Actually, too much for my taste. Although this does give it perhaps a more "modern" sound, compared to Sample1. Nevertheless, I prefer Sample1 because it sounds more dynamic and "open".

Thanks rook2C4... interesting... thanks for your observation... I'm obviously not going to give the game this early, but I will say this much: There were no actual compressors per se involved in what has created the difference between these 2 tracks...

[bozmillar]

oops. I voted for the wrong. You made the same screwup Brandon made in his last poll where sample 2 is the first sample. I guess I liked sample 1 better. At least the 1st time I listened I did. Then I listened again and felt the complete opposite. Sample 1 sounds slightly louder, and sample 2 sounds more defined. I may change my mind on this though.

[kakeux]

Hi,

I will start with your last question...I prefer sample 2 (named sample 1).

The differences I can hear:
sample 2 (named sample 1)
- punchier drums (kick -snare combination)
- the whole seems better "glued"
- Vocals in the bridge sound fuller (but maybe a tad louder)

Sample 1 (named sample 2) sounds more "detailed" and the instruments sound more detached...Maybe a better mix in terms of "hearing everything better", but I still prefer the sample 2 (named sample 1) because it's more lively.

Hope it helps!

Ma guessing to "From where/what comes the differences"....well the simple gess would be a different compressor used on the master bus, the harder guess is different compression on side and mid (stero image)...the really really impossible guess, you ran the thing to an outside analog path (could be too much thing) and you've ended up with this punchier version..

Voilà...

Cheers!

[fHumble fHingaz]

oops. I voted for the wrong. You made the same screwup Brandon made in his last poll where sample 2 is the first sample. I guess I liked sample 1 better. At least the 1st time I listened I did. Then I listened again and felt the complete opposite. Sample 1 sounds slightly louder, and sample 2 sounds more defined. I may change my mind on this though.

Cheers Boz! Yeah, I think it's because I uploaded Sample 1 first, it ended up showing second in the list...

I will start with your last question...I prefer sample 2 (named sample 1).

The differences I can hear:
sample 2 (named sample 1)
- punchier drums (kick -snare combination)
- the whole seems better "glued"
- Vocals in the bridge sound fuller (but maybe a tad louder)

Sample 1 (named sample 2) sounds more "detailed" and the instruments sound more detached...Maybe a better mix in terms of "hearing everything better", but I still prefer the sample 2 (named sample 1) because it's more lively.

Hope it helps!

Ma guessing to "From where/what comes the differences"....well the simple gess would be a different compressor used on the master bus, the harder guess is different compression on side and mid (stero image)...the really really impossible guess, you ran the thing to an outside analog path (could be too much thing) and you've ended up with this punchier version..

Cool, thanks for your comments kakeux! Just to repeat what I mentioned earlier, there were no compressors involved in the differences.

[kakeux]

I tried to never read previous post when I have to listen carefully and find out something (because I am easily influenced by others opinion)....So I didn't read the "no compressor" things..

Well well...the guessing game becomes really hard now....

Analog tape or a analog tape plugin involved?

This will be my last guess....because I can go on like this for month (without finding the correct one)..

[TM10]

Sample 1 sounds like it has more sub lows going on. Kick mainly. Has a big fat thud down there. Thats what stuck out to me.

As to which one I like better, I dunno. They both sound great. Sample 2 sounds more "natural" (I guess haha) to me, but I do like the big lows on 1. I personally would shoot for right in between 1 and 2.

My .02.

[TM10]

Oh and I think it might be some sort of harmonic exciter on the lowend? Maxxbass or something similar. Thats my guess.

[fHumble fHingaz]

Great guys!... this is most instructive for me... no more clues, but keep those opinions & guesses coming, & don't forget to vote in the poll.
Thanks fH fH

[cathomas]

Hey, as the first "new member" to respond, Id say that I like sample 1 a bit better. Its a bit clearer and punchier to my ear (and a bit louder)
I'm anxious to hear what the difference is if its not compression as that was my first guess

[fHumble fHingaz]

Hey, as the first "new member" to respond, Id say that I like sample 1 a bit better. Its a bit clearer and punchier to my ear (and a bit louder)
I'm anxious to hear what the difference is if its not compression as that was my first guess

Thanks Clint - Do you mean the first sample in the thread, or the one that is called "4 Points_Sample 1.mp3" ? Please note that "4 Points_Sample 2.mp3" is actually the second file in the , & "4 Points_Sample 1.mp3" is the second... yeah, confusing, I know!