The Sound Board

Via the Production Expert websites:



A|B Assist is a plug-in that provides customisable AB and XY testing, giving you an honest and objective even after listener fatigue or over-familiarity kicks in. Confidently pick the best, every time, with the science you need to affirm your choice.

Rapid A|B Referencing
A|B Assist makes referencing and testing within your DAW environment fast and convenient - receive two audio sources and switch easily between them for instant comparisons between your current production and any reference material.

X|Y Blind Comparison
Compare different mixes or processing chains with blind testing, hiding sources to allow impartial comparison tests. Pick the best, without bias from what is known about the signals. Easily include automated statistical measurement if required to back up your ears with a bit of science - vote to see if you can consistently identify a preferred version or mix, or even straw poll a number of different listeners. A|B Assist helps you work quicker and more accurately - versatile enough become an essential part of your mix or mastering process.

Nugen Audio AB Assist Compatibility
The Nugen Audio AB Assist Plug-in used to be only available in AAX for use with Pro Tools.
AB Assist will now support VST2, VST3, RTAS, AU and AAX plug-in formats.
Supports both 32 and 64 bit applications
Works with all the major DAWs like Pro Tools Logic, Ableton Live, and Studio One.
Minimum OS requirements are Mac OS 10.7 and Windows XP.
How To Get Nugen Audio AB Assist

Nugen Audio AB Assist is free and is exclusively available from any of the the Production Expert family of sites, Pro Tools Expert, Logic Pro Expert, Ableton Live Expert, Reason Expert and Studio One Expert.

http://www.pro-tools-expert.com/deals-s ... st-formats

Thanks Guy, could come in handy.

Sounds worth getting if you don't already have Magic AB?

Magic AB is meant to compare your current mix to other source material. At least in my use, I haven't come across any AB functionality in regards to plugins. If you have a trick up your sleeve, I'd be curious to know Jason. Edit - I'm guessing you're talking about bouncing different chains and importing into Magic AB to compare to a different chain? I do that on occasion, but find it to be slowing down workflow.

Also, HOFA Plugins have created "Blind Test" a while ago. I believe it solves the same problem a bit more elegantly (maybe to the slight detriment of the GUI) here: https://hofa-plugins.de/en/plugins/4u-blindtest/

It uses a rating system, gain compensation, and a "blind reshuffling" mode to force you to listen, much like the Nugen. They also offer a FREE version with limited amount of tracks for plugins to be compared. The useful feature here being that you can compare more than two at a time.

looks quite useful!

I like the ability to compare plugins, I've never really been sold on the MagicAB thing, or rather I have a pretty good idea of my target mix - usually. I have been meaning to at least test drive MagicAB... in my free time<G>!

I think the nicest bit with A/B Assist is the blind testing - I might be able to thin my herd!

daedalus wrote:Magic AB is meant to compare your current mix to other source material. At least in my use, I haven't come across any AB functionality in regards to plugins. If you have a trick up your sleeve, I'd be curious to know Jason.

No tricks, no, I had just misunderstood Magic AB's capabilities is all.

I assume at least one person here has tried Nugen A/B Assist? I'm not able to make it work, at least with Reaper. The Send plugin shows signs of life in its levels, the main plugin shows incoming audio on the A source (which I can hear), and both plugins show a connection. But yet nothing is actually being received on the B source in the main plugin. Levels are zero and it's silent when I listen to it.

I'm not actually sure how the audio data is sent between plugins but it doesn't seem to be working for me, either with VST2 or VST3. Not sure if I'm doing something wrong, or if it's a Reaper thing. It shows the two plugins connected, so it doesn't seem like it should be a inter-communication problem.