A quick unscientific test, which do you prefer when listening on headphones?

https://limewire.com/d/ZKJRn#0l4URhpSDl

 

Last edited: Dec 27, 2025

Love Potion #9

If there were two I'd pick the second one...less jumpy.

 

One sounds like headphones, while the other is supposed to emulate the sound of speakers in a room.

 

Last edited: Dec 26, 2025

Listening again with headphones I more vibed with the first one but the second while listening with speakers. Ha, interesting.

 

It's a headphone test and I've updated the OP. The software emulates the sound of speakers in a room while listening on headphones, and yeah it's kinda Interesting

 

Last edited: Dec 26, 2025

if one of them simulates speakers in a room, it is not "binaural", you should only classify it as such when it is actually 180 degrees.

however, i find it more pleasant to listen to a binaural mix on a regular 60 degree stereo speakers than the other way round. i.e. you 3D whatnot format downmix to 180 degrees, and if someone listens on speakers it´ll still work somehow.

it is a bit like recording stuff using back to back microphone placement and then listen to that on speakers.

 

I only have one working ear.

 

Oh yeah, it's probably the most enjoyable plugin I've ever bought ... https://apl-hud.com/

You should give the 14-day demo a try, even if it's just out of curiosity.

 

Last edited: Dec 29, 2025

Did you need to be online to register the plugin?

 

I can't remember exactly, I've demo'd and downloaded so much stuff over the past few weeks that it's all been a blur! The app needs iLok though, but the licences are all on my local machine. I do a lot of late evening listening on my headphones, so the app was totally worth it for me. I haven't done any production work yet, but it should be interesting as I already have many hours under my belt.

 

Last edited: Dec 30, 2025

Hello world - if you permit -...

- I'm using Applied Psychoacoustics Laboratory (APL) Virtuoso. Great HRTF sets.

- Simpler, but efficent: 2CAudio Precedence (available on AZ, 2CAudio Precedence v1.5.0).

- Or, also: NovoNotes 3DX (AZ, NovoNotes 3DX v1.10.0).

- Then, ToneBoosters Morphit's headphones is always running when tweaking a mix or an approx. of a master (AZ, ToneBoosters' bundles).

- Final: (tadaaa!) IRCAM SPAT Revolution, which is just totally insane:

http://shop.flux.audio/fr_FR/products/spat-revolution

(AZ: Flux Spat Revolution v1.1.0.48000)

Running it in IRCAM's dead room ("chambre sourde" aka "anéchoïque"/"anechoic") is fascinating as, by definition, there is no "room/ambiance" at all to start with. (The room is small, it takes much times to setup the gear for the tests.)
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Tracks for eargasms:

- Pink Floyd "The Dark Side Of The Moon" surround mix by James Guthrie:

http://www.discogs.com/master/1331918-Pink-Floyd-The-Dark-Side-Of-The-Moon-Blu-ray

- and Roxy Music "Avalon", surround mix by Rhett Davies:

http://www.discogs.com/release/709566-Roxy-Music-Avalon

(Both surround versions available on "the big torrent site".)

With headphones, through the tools above, it sounds very very close to the BIG setups owned by some clients/pals.
I've spent days on a friend's Marantz surround system, high end, centered on an AMP 10 (in white, sounds better ): JEEZ! Bob Clearmountain's stereo mix is a masterpiece, a reference, the "scene" is beautiful, precise, in front of you. We then switch to the surround version: Andy Newmark's snare drum is now "palpable" at 2m ( 2m41cm in fact ) smiling at you! You're in the center of the stage. (Mmm... rather 2/5th in it a bit more precisely.)

This is reproduced nicely through the headphones (a collection of differents ones) with the plugins.

NOTE : He's my doc too; sad for him, his wife doesn't like music. So for 3 months now, his Hi-Fi, arranged in the living room, is back in the boxes. One word: divorce! My little one, on the contrary, will make you visit the anechoic room if you come to Paris. Sometimes life is... tickling you (sorry doc...) :

=> http://www.ircam.fr/lircam/le-batiment

=>

The joke, there, is to sit a visitor on a rotating chair, and spinning him/her... Oups! Must be done before lunch...
As you can record live inside Sequoia the panning of the source in the Surround Editor - your chair motor linked to the mouse who draws it, creating automation curves -, your patient's head will explode as those of the funny aliens in Men in Black. POUM! =>

 

Last edited: Dec 31, 2025 at 12:58 PM