Yet another DAW comparison Test

[Matias228]

Ok here it comes:
I'm doing a listening test to determine if there is a audible difference between Protools 8, Logic 8 and Cubase 5. It's a A-B blind listening test, and also includes comparing the same files (compare a - a). This test is part of my final year dissertation, and I need testers with good ears.
This will only take you about 30 mins.

I won't anounce which track is which until the test is over, to prevent cheating.

The test has been done with three different source materials. I did not use any plugins. To eliminate pan law differences, I left all all pans untouched. I also didn't mess around with any of the faders.

I would very much apreciate if some people could take part in the listening test as I need a certain amount of people, to make the test valuable for my research paper. I will anounce the results, as well as offering the source material for download, so people can take that stuff to make their own listening tests or include their daws, when I have enough participants to make it a valid research.


http://ewanhails.wildechoes.org/mati...ummingtest.zip

http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/9/...er%20sheet.txt
(right click + save as)
the answer sheet text is only for people who don't have a office application to open excel sheets.

The zip file contains 27 audio files (24 bit 44.1kHz) and a instruction text as well as an answer sheet.

Thanks a lot for your time Matias

[space2012]

#1. the files 1-9 are useless, i wont listen annoing music.
music is pleasure, not annoing sounds. but there was a diference.

#2. file 10.wav the A & B diference is incredible.
the B has more attacks, and dynamic range,
the A sounds softened, but warmer.

i think i need to sleep becouse i hear file 11.wav A & B sound the same.
both non transparent. could be 10 A twice, or two softwares sound exactly the same.
only a 180° phase null test could tell that for shure.
but not right now.
making a quick listen before i go to bed, i hear theres clearly one verry diferent.

the test is too long, and a bit borring. its 02:09AM here.

thank God, the file 19.wav is another song.

19 A is more transparent.

anyway...
Sonar 32-Bit with 64-Bit engine is 100% transparent.
i know that Cubase/Nuendo for PC has strange "non transparent" highs.
but i dont remember hearing warmer.

the transparent file must be Protools or Logic,
but... i could be totally wrong.
maybe Cubase for Mac is diferent than Cubase for PC.
like ive heard with some plugin tests.
the transparent could be Cubase.
if the test were for PC i could know easy, im not a Mac user.

[Matias228]

Well, fill in the answer sheet and i will tell you if you are right or not!

[space2012]

Originally Posted by Matias228

Well, fill in the answer sheet and i will tell you if you are right or not!

thanks, but dont need that.
10B is similar as 19A.
its like; if you open your eyes, i can tellyou if you are right or wrong.

[Matias228]

But I actually need some replys for the listening test, for my research paper. So if you have a bit of time, you would do me a big favour!

[Matias228]

No one here who wants to take part in that listening test?

[space2012]

Originally Posted by Matias228

No one here who wants to take part in that listening test?

200MB download will discourage 50%,stike
files 1-9 will discourage the other 49.99%

but i get/understand the idea of having big files...

...what converters did you used ?
how was the signal chain in the bob marley song ?
cable brands & models?
clean power ?
etc...

[Matias228]

The Bob Marley and Nine Inch Nails stuff I can't tell you, cause I got the multitracks from the internet.
The Jazz stuff is a production of my own. It was tracked on a Amek desk (56 channel Galileo with Supertrue) into RADAR, using the Radar converters.
All the multitracks where imported as they were. At least for the Jazz bit it means that no processing was involved.
If files 1-9 are so annoying, I would be happy to get at least some response for 10-27.
I know NIN is nt everyones shoe, but I picked it cause I wanted to see how the DAWs dealt with heavy sound textures!

Thanks for the feedback thou!

[studioblogit]

I am interested in this test. I've been using Nuendo for a few years, but I always thought it lacked something. Before that I was using Sonar and I always liked the sound of Sonar quite a lot. Then I heard Logic 8, and I decided it sounded much better. So I've just moved from PC to Mac because I want to use Logic from now on, simply because I like the sound of it. Nuendo is much easier for editing audio but I care more about the sound of the audio engine, of which Logic's I prefer. I've heard Pro Tools in other studios and to me it just sounds 'recognisable' as it's the same sound playing on the radio most of the time. I'll listen to the test audio files and let you know what I think.

[Matias228]

Hey guys for all of you wondering what the results are, here are the links to the result xls and the crappy research paper for those intrested.

http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/9/...%20Results.xls
http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/9/...g%20engine.pdf

The paper is really crap, so don't bother to point that out, I know it already. Have Fun

[Disease Factory]

So which one sounded the best and why?

[space2012]

Originally Posted by Disease Factory

So which one sounded the best and why?

the best is personal taste & music style..

Logic sounds clean, 100% transparent & dynamic, exactly like Sonar 8PE with 64-bit engine activated.

Cubase/Nuendo mix buss sounds exactly like Protools mix buss,
the same analog mix buss emulation = less dynamic, a bit darker highs.

Sonar 8pe with 32-bit engine "64-Bit engine disabled" also has an analog mix buss emulation, but much more colored than Cubase or Protools mix buss analog emulation.

Mackie traktion 3 its on the clean side,
Magix Samplitude its on the analog emulation side.
Reaper its on the clean side.
etc...

[akaidai]

just wants to know when peoples claims that logic sounds the best-does it mean with apple internal sound card engine or depends on Motu or apogee or whatever 3rd party sound devices?thanx

[Matias228]

If you ask me, there is so little difference nowadays, that I always would suggest to go with the one thats most comfortable working on.
That will have a lot bigger impact on the sound then the summing stage!
And in my comparrison there was no one who clearly could tell the double positives, which just showed most of the tested person were guessing...

[craneshock]

very interesting but the link to the zip file fails, how can I download it?

[Matias228]

Originally Posted by craneshock

very interesting but the link to the zip file fails, how can I download it?

Hmmm it was hosted on a friends server, obviously he took it down now... Am not sure if I can find the files again... I'll check!