08/03/07

How sonically different are they?

Why did we do it.

Some people prefer the sound when you mix digital audio through an analog console. Some people prefer the sound when all mixing and processing are done in Pro Tools® with no analog gear whatsoever. So, we did an experiment to see how closely we could match some mixes done on a large-format analog console using Pro Tools and modeled console channel strip plug-ins, and have posted the resulting audio files for you to hear.


Watch the video.

We’d like to know how many people can hear differences between a mix done on an analog console, and one done completely in Pro Tools (without analog gear). Just choose any of the songs below to take a listen to both types of mixes cut together.

Listen to a Smooth Jazz Tune
“Down Broadway” by Chuck Loeb (www.chuckloeb.com), mixed by Erik Zobler
Downloadable audio files: Windows | Mac

Listen to a Hard Rock Tune
“Evergreen” by Dark New Day (www.darknewday.com), mixed by Mike Shipley
Downloadable audio files: Windows | Mac

Listen to an Alt Rock Tune
“Write Your Story” by Ken Andrews (www.kenandrews.com), mixed by Brian Malouf
Downloadable audio files: Windows | Mac

Learn more about the methods behind this mixing experiment.

Take the Mixing Challenge

Now that you’ve heard what each type of mix sounds like, see if you can correctly identify which mixes in the following audio challenges are done on an analog console and which are done in Pro Tools alone. Just choose a challenge to begin:

Smooth Jazz Loop Challenge

Smooth Jazz Continuous Challenge

Hard Rock Loop Challenge

Hard Rock Continuous Challenge

Alt Rock Loop Challenge

Alt Rock Continuous Challenge