studies

This study examines the perceptual differences between music mixed with paid analogue-modelling plugins and free non-modelling plugins, within the context of typical music consumption. To explore this, a blind AB test was conducted and featured in a YouTube video, with uncompressed 24-bit, 44.1 kHz audio files additionally provided via a link in the pinned comment. 514 participants assessed two mix versions of a song. One version, the “analogue mix,” utilised 49 instances of paid analogue-modelling plugins from reputable manufacturers, while the other, the “digital mix,” was matched to the first using only free non-modelling plugins. The primary objective was to determine whether listeners could accurately identify the analogue mix and if there was a preference for it. Statistical analysis of survey responses revealed a significant tendency to misidentify the analogue mix (p < 0.004) and no statistically significant preference for the analogue mix (p > 0.58).