Johannes Heel​

' MixRef '​

(AU Format) ​

Free Studio Reference Monitor Simulator​

​

MixRef is a free listening tool to reference a mix on different virtual speakers, using convolution-based speaker modelling.

There are 2 plugins : One plugin for use with monitor speakers and a different one for headphones, both with different functionality and speaker models.

The current version 0.8b is available for Apple Logic Pro (AudioUnit) and other programs using AU components. The VST version is included optionally, but not fully tested yet and may have limited functionality in the user interface. MAC OSX only at the moment.



*** This program is a beta version and distributed WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY and without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. ***


It seems that Johannes Heel is preparing a Dissertation, then I think it could be cool that some users who will to try his creations will give him some feedback about his Plug-Ins. This can also be helpful for improving the Plug-Ins furthermore...
Don't hesitate to express your opinions via the provided link (just click on it) :

"Please give me some feedback so I can improve the plug-in further, and also help me with my Dissertation ! (click here to start the survey)"



These Plug-Ins can be downloaded for FREE directly via the 'Official Johannes Heel Webpage' (orange button in the upper left corner of the page) :

Johannes Heel 'MixRef' (AU Plugins)

 

Can this realy replace the real Monitor Speakers? i don't think so, but i will give a try! thanks

 

Can I ask you what monitors you use to listen to ?

The concept is totally useless, because when you have crap speakers you will have crap sound even if you turn the
mode for best speakers available.
This is the main reason why this won't work or give you any result you can rely on.

It's simple logic that this can't work.
You can not simulate one monitors physics on other monitors/speakers.

I am sure you can make good monitors sound bad...lol...but not better...ha haa haaa...

 

@ LisaPower,

Well, these Plug-Ins are 'convolution-based speaker modelling'. So, if the 'convolutions' used are not too bad... it could certainly provide you 'good' results even if not comparable to real Monitor Speakers.
Can you really compare a low priced (in this case, FREE !) Plug-In with real Monitor Speakers that cost you, in some cases, more than 1000 $ per unit ! (to stay in an average range)

You can also apply this to the nowadays largely used 'Convolution Engines' that also rely on 'Impulse Responses' (IR) to emulate real Hardware Units like 'famous' Reverbs, Cabinets, Amps,...
A lot of them are, in my opinion, rather well done and very effective. But here also, can you compare them with, say, a real 'Marshall' or 'Mesa Boogie' Cabinet, that here also will cost you more or less 1000 $...

Don't hesitate a second ! and even more than a try...
It's certainly also the main reason why 'Johannes Heel' offers us his creation

 

@ Carface,

I'm absolutely not an 'expert' with Speaker Monitors, but you should certainly try this 'MixRef' Plug-In, or any another related one (with the same principle of 'convolution-based speaker modelling'), with the most 'flat' Speaker Monitors available, to mainly avoid the proper 'sonic coloration' that can perhaps apply certain models.

Not so sure... of course, and as you so well stated it, it depends also greatly on the Monitors/Speakers used to to render sonically this kind of 'Plug-Ins' themselves.

If you have a few time, just 'jump' to the following link and take a look at the full article (Overview, Key Features, The Science of VRM, Specifications,... through the different 'Tabs' available) of this 'VRM Box' (by Focusrite) that I discovered a few months ago... you'll, perhaps, be very surprised ! *yes*
Of course, you can't compare this 'VRM Box' with a 'FREE' (or low priced) less powerful Plug-In like this one offered us by 'Johannes Heel', but this 'VRM Box' is, in my opinion, not just amazing, but also a 'Big Step' toward the emulation of 'well-known' Speaker Monitors (often unaffordable for a large majority of us ! ).


'VRM Box' by Focusrite

 

I'm sure convolution is the technique that would bring you closest to the original, but...
...my point is simple and easy to understand...!
How do you expect to get the same sound of one physical device
into another device with different physical structure.
I mean they are totally different and there is no way you can make one speaker sound like another one.
And if you now go and use these as reference, you cut your self deeply and ignore real physics.

There is not much to know about speakers or monitors as the fact that they are build different,
and that this is the main reason why they sound different.

Some of the monitors you mention have frequencies responding lower then the ones you might wanna use...!
How do you expect your monitors to compensate those lower frequencies.
Imagine them..., or make them appear out of the blue...?

If you take a look at the specifications of each monitors at the manufacturers site,
you'll read how low they go..., as example !
The more they cost the lower they respond.
I know the Yamaha HS50 as example...! They start from around 54Hz up to 20000Hz.
The NS10's go lower to around 42Hz...!
If you now use monitors from the cheaper class, you'll never get these extra lows out of them !
So simple as that !!!

And believe me...!
Your speakers or monitors will always have their flavor to all sounds coming through.

If you get a chance and find some pair of those in this plugin, then do a test.
Run the same sound through the plugin set on the convoluted monitors and the real ones, ...then compare !!!

I just want you to save your time and your music before you gonna regret it..., not more !
We're here to help each other and I try...

I have Yamaha HS80 ! I have them because I didn't have the money for the Adams7 or AdamsAX8 now...!
I know the Yamahas are flat in all frequencies and have 8inch cones for a god bass response.
They have a hard but clean and Crystal clear sound and rather harsh for some people,
but I can mix with them and put my final music on any sound system and they match good.
I had always problems to do so until I got them.
I am sure the Adams are in the same range and hope to buy them to one day...

90% of all studios in the world have those monitors with the white cones...!
Those are all Yamahas...! That should give you a good answer how useful they are.
Most people use them only to adjust the mix to sound good on those,
to make sure it will sound good everywhere.

Now with the Yamaha HS80's I can produce and mix only with them, and don't need any other monitors.
I also don't need any reference systems anymore, but I did at the beginning
when I was not used to the Yamahas and didn't trust/believe how easy it is now.

Now I go and get my cash from Yamaha, ... for all the advertise I did for them...

Cheers...

 

Hi everyone,

I just stumbled across this thread and am pleased to see that you have an interesting discussion going on about the topic.

Maybe I can clear things up a bit when it comes to the purpose of the plug-in. It is mostly meant to give you a different perspective when mixing, rather than be a perfect simulation of another speaker. I totally agree that this would impossible to do 100%, because of the different physical properties and own 'sound' of your speaker or headphones.

It is also not meant to make your speakers sound better, rather opposite. The reason why for example the Yamaha NS-10 are so popular as a reference speaker is not because they sound good or they reproduce lows well, (they don't), but because they focus your attention to the midrange of the mix and reveal potential masking/level imbalances there, or show how the bass instruments translate etc.
So in summary, MixRef is meant for situations with no other set of speakers available, to occasionally check your mix on, listen for problems that stand out and compare other commercial tracks.

I am writing my dissertation at the moment on Referencing and the feasibility of speaker simulations, and could use some more mixing engineers/producers opinions on the subject.. so if you have a minute, please do this short survey on referencing:
Mix Referencing Survey

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate your responses and discussion regarding MixRef!

Johannes