NUGEN Audio, the minds behind such plugins as Halo Upmix and Paragon reverb have offered Production Expert readers a free copy of their A|B Assist audio comparison tool for a limited time. See and hear for yourself its trick that makes this free tool so very useful.

In Summary

A|B Assist avoids engineer bias and helps them to choose between two audio options objectively, with a twist. Best of all it’s now free to readers of Production Expert. For those who can’t decide between two options, read on…

Going Deeper

How To Decide Well

Humans are prone to suggestion. The issue of so-called “confirmation bias” is well-known in psychology, but also to developers of both audio software and hardware products. Research into negating its effects stems from the 1950s including that of Bell Labs, whose scientists first identified the need to anonymize sample audio for the purpose of unbiased listening tests. Later, researchers in the European and Japanese Hi-Fi industries also sought to solve the problem by developing unbiased listening tests. Essentially, the listener is more likely to choose audio that they expect for whatever reason to be ‘better’. Later, boxes such as the QSC ABX Comparator developed for these industries sought to present A and B options alongside a randomized “X” option.

The common factor in all of these processes is the means to do a ‘double-blind’ test, where not only the listener is unaware of the true identities of candidates, but also the person or device doing the switching. In the case of ‘cold’ computer logic, concepts such as Knowing or Caring can be considered redundant.

Certainly, those choosing something that they think should be the best option can sometimes be based upon existing experience or preconceptions, and audio engineers are as susceptible as any other to listening bias. It could even be argued that when faced with hundreds of options claiming Audio Superiority, making an objective decision can become more difficult still for those who trade on their good judgement. This can happen even with fresh ears, and in the real world, tired ears or those that have lost perspective may struggle to discern in a place full of opinions.

Mix engineers now have the luxury of reaching for any number of software tools (in standalone or audio plugin form) to achieve the holy grail of objective listening. These can bring true double-blind testing for single operators.

NUGEN Audio A|B Assist

NUGEN Audio A|B Assist brings a neat twist on the A-B-X machines of old. Two buttons (A and B) represent two audio streams. Instantiated across the the A stream’s track, the B stream is injected into A|B Assist from its own track using the Nugen Send component (this auto-installs from the A|B Assist installer). The two buttons can be used on their own, or in conjunction with an A|B Assist twist of its own.

What is so useful about A|B assist is its Test function which simply re-labels the two streams randomly as X and Y. The user can then select between X and Y and choose between them any number of times until they reach a level of certainty on their favourite. The Reveal button then reveals X and Y’s identities and shows the percentage and tally score for the A and B streams.

Worthy of mention is also A|B Assist’s Trim function. Most will be aware that the ear prefers louder signals; unlike using channel solo buttons, or Compare buttons in the DAW, the gain can be trimmed on the B stream to match its subjective level with the A stream as appropriate. This can further un-bias choices made.

Watch below as we explore these features and take A|B Assist for a spin…

A-B For Free

Any engineer might appreciate the need to choose objectively, however A|B Assist takes the concept further by ironing out added ‘loudness bias’ and pinning stats to the choices made… Replacing the “X” buttons of old, and tabulating both streams’ scores allows any audio content, including takes, mixes, alternative master versions, or audio plugins makes objective listening easier. When fatigue sets in there is A|B Assist; best of all it’s now free to our readers.

To get NUGEN Audio’s A|B Assist for free until 21st April 2023 click the button below.