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Mastered For iTunes vs. Mastered For People
By Serge Smirnoff, On 4/18/12 7:36 AM
itunes 256 kbps aac itunes plus mastering
Not so far ago Apple announced the initiative aimed to form a kind of standard for mastering of audio content intended for distribution through iTunes Store. Mastering guidelines for audio engineers
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Vorbis 1.3.3 in 256 kbit/s section
By Serge Smirnoff, On 3/28/12 10:14 AM
vorbis vorbis 1.3.3
According to Xiph.Org new release of popular Vorbis audio codec was out on 2012.02.03. It contains only bug, doc and security fixes (no quality improvements). Previous version – 1.3.2 –
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Test files of iPhone 4 were replaced
By Serge Smirnoff, On 10/22/11 9:19 PM
iphone 4 test files
Extensive research experiments with Galaxy S revealed that accuracy of test files preparaton for analog audio devices must be higher than we used for iPhone 4. As a result comparison of players could
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What is SoundExpert

SoundExpert.How it works.SoundExpert (SE) provides audio quality ratings of sound equipment and technologies such as mp3, aac, wma ... encoders, portable players, sound cards, amplifiers ...

The ratings are based solely on results of blind listening tests when listeners don't know the particular device they test. So the values are completely unbiased and free from any marketing and advertising noise.

SoundExpert provides ratings thanks to visitors who take part in testing. The more number of participants - the more devices and technologies could be tested. The ratings are computed in real time while new grades are returned by visitors. The testing procedure is simple and short enough that anyone, including you, can participate. Just download a test file (≈3Mb), listen it (≈15s) and send back your judgment. Details are in test file. The more accurate grades - the more reliable ratings.

SoundExpert is independent non-commercial research project. It's in beta state because it uses new audio metric and corresponding listening test design which are not widely adopted by audio engineers. The key feature of this new method is possibility to hear sound artifacts which are normally beyond the threshold of human audibility. So, please, use these ratings with caution. Detailed but still easy to understand explanation of SE internal mechanics is in the article "SoundExpert. How it works".

The main idea behind this service is consumer control over sound quality measurements of various audio equipment on the market. SE, being a distributed human project, combines tiny efforts of audio gear users for carrying out this task.