Need help deciding if you want to rip your CD collection in 320 kbps or if you should go for 256 kbps instead to save space? Want to see for yourself if AAC really does sound better than MP3? Are you an audiophile who wants to test your “golden ears”? Perhaps you have no clue about audio file formats, but want to learn the differences?
Look no further.
Audio Exam is an app that allows you to compare two encodings of an audio file. Essentially, it is an ABX test with a slightly different format that makes it quicker and easier to compare files than a standard ABX test.
In an ABX test, you choose the two files A and B. You are then presented with random selection of A or B - this is X. You then decide if you think X is A or B. This is repeated several times over. If you got enough of them right, then you have proof you really can tell them apart.
In Audio Exam, on each trial, you are presented with a 5-second loop of each file. The program switches back and forth between the two. There are two possibilities - either the program is playing the file indicated, or they are switched. You pick ‘TRUE’ if you think the program is telling the truth, or ‘FALSE’ otherwise.
At the end of your run of trials, Audio Exam will tell you how many you got correct, as well as calculate the percent chance you were guessing (the p-value) and help you interpret it. This will help you make a decision.
USES
- Compare two different audio formats
- Compare two different bit rates of the same format
- Compare two versions of one song in the same encoding (you’ll want to volume-match them first)
- Possible mixing / mastering uses
FILE FORMATS SUPPORTED
.AAC
.AIFF, .AIF
.MP1
.MP2
.MP3
.MP4
.M4A (ALAC and AAC)
.WAV
