Audified is a brand from the Czech Republic that initially developed plugins aimed at guitarists / bassists (even those who worked in the "home studio" field)
Some of you will remember software, such as ampLion e GK Amplification 2, products that we can include in the category "amp simulation".
For some years, the brand has been dedicating itself to the creation of classic plugins, dedicated to audio professionals; however today I will talk about a somewhat unusual plugin, when compared to the categories I have reviewed so far.
I'm talking about MixChecker, a plugin that emulates various listening systems, inherent to common devices (consumers), that the average user could use nowadays, and not only.
The product is available in the Standard version and in the Pro version.
This software was designed to make our species/mastering are, as far as possible, compatible with common playback devices (smartphone, hi-fi, tablets, laptop and the like) avoiding waste of time; in fact, it must be borne in mind that most users do not listen to music through optimal reproduction systems or audiophiles, which instead the audio professional does, as it should be!
This operation is certainly not easy and requires practice, experience and time available; let's try to understand if this plugin can give us a hand or not.
MixChecker (Standard version)
Let's start with the younger brother, to have a first approach that is not too complicated.
The interface is very simple to understand: there are 12 combinations of different devices, including non-"consumer" systems such as, for example, studio monitors (useful if it is not the emulation of monitors that we already have) and the classic cube monitor, which many professionals often use to make a further check, after having listened to their mixes on the main monitors, plus other device simulations, easily understood by the appropriate figures.
There is the possibility, for each simulation, to compensate the volume, using the appropriate control, which can be activated from the menu at the top right and, by subsequently clicking on setup volume; this thing comes in handy when we want to make quick comparisons, using multiple devices, without having excessive volume changes, when switching from one to the other.
Then there is the classic control mono, useful for checking the mix, precisely in mono, on which there is no need to dwell too much.
Instead, I would focus on the section compensation: in practice, I have the possibility of "adapting" my listening system to what I am simulating, in order to make a check as realistic as possible, albeit using a not too sophisticated approach; if I click on the headphones icon, I'm communicating to the plugin that my listening system is headphones, so MixChecker will adjust accordingly, trying to compensate for everything; the same goes if I'm using monitors from 5 " o 8 " (we can also not activate the compensation).
Clearly not all headphones have the same frequency response, as do studio monitors; not to mention the contribution that the room acoustics can make, so I invite you to take this possible compensation with the springs and experiment by doing many checks. Only in this way can you become familiar with this software.
Latency and CPU consumption
MixChecker falls broadly into the category of low CPU consumption plugins, and is a latency 0; I would say that I do not mind at all.
Such a tool, as we anticipated a little while ago, can be useful for doing the type of check, explained a little while ago and, taking advantage of the fact that it provides us with various simulations of devices, and therefore (also) of speakers.
We can also conceive it for creative use; maybe for the sound design, or, if we want to get the classic "radio effect" or similar.
MixChecker Pro
The big brother has additional features that allow us to have more control and versatility. Let's try to understand more.
Meanwhile, the main interface is resizable and, there is the possibility to choose between multiple listening situations or device models, for each simulation.
At first glance it would seem more customizable than its younger brother. For example, I can choose to simulate listening through a TV da 22 " o 37 ", simulate listening inside a vehicle, on the passenger side or on the driver side; to do this, click on the icon edit button set top left. In this menu we can insert all the simulations we deem necessary, and save our presets, customizing, if we want, the labels (custom label).
In addition to adjusting the volume of the single simulation, as seen previously, we can adjust the stereo image (basic stereo) and the distortion of the considered system (distortion); this last control was not placed there by chance, in fact it is well known that consumer-type devices will tend to distort more easily than professional ones.
La Pro version offers the noise section (can be deactivated), thanks to which we can add, or not, noises inherent to various environments, selectable from the appropriate menu, in such a way as to “complicate” the listening, simulating a more or less worst case.
For example, we can add the noise of a public road, a park, or even relative to the passenger compartment of a vehicle; in this way the simulation could become even more realistic.
Imagine listening to your favorite music in a public place, perhaps with headphones, with all the ensuing consequences. I hope I've got the idea for you.
With the key (see previous photo), you pass cyclically from one simulation to another, so, precisely, automatic and, the interval between one listening and another, is established by the control team. This is useful when we want to listen to a different simulation every few seconds (minimum 1 sec, up to a maximum of 12 sec), and focus more on the sound.
In addition to listening in mono, by clicking on channel mode, it is possible to invert the two channels (left and right), listen (from both speakers) only to the left channel, or to the right; things that can be useful to the most scrupulous people.
To complete the interface there is the dist key, with which we can activate or not, the distortion mentioned a few lines ago. We can also calibrate this plugin, from the point of view of levels, by going to the menu at the top right and clicking on set calibration (I'm going to adjust the dBFS as a function of the “analog” 0 dBU) effectively affecting the non-linearity of the system, and therefore, the distortion.
I can also control this plugin remotely, via app, or from another computer (via browser), always going to the menu at the top right, then clicking on remote control (consulting the manual you will find the whole procedure).
Latency and CPU consumption
Despite the various additional features, the PRO version still maintains a low CPU consumption and latency 0. I can only be satisfied.
MixChecker PRO can be useful to those who are more demanding, as far as checks are concerned, not to mention the fact that even the most creative ones can benefit from it, thanks to new features, such as ambient noises.
As usual we move on to the conclusions, based on what we have seen so far.
MixChecker
This product from the price list it costs $149 (at the moment $79). The amount involved is not exactly “affordable” and I realize that, for non-professionals, it could be a little over budget. However, considering the work that has gone into making this plugin, I'd say there's no need to freak out.
Taking into account the type of product (there are not many competitors) and the general quality, I definitely recommend it.
Using such a product, you certainly save time and, I can understand "on the fly" if my mix is taking, or not, a "bad turn".
However, it is advisable to also listen on your devices, for further comparison; maybe try to physically concretize one of the situations that the plugin simulates, to understand or not, how close or far we are from reality, and adjust accordingly.
In practice we need to calibrate this plugin according to our listening, and our needs.
MixChecker Pro
This price list product costs $199 (at the moment $145) and if the owners of MixChecker decide to upgrade to this version, they would benefit from a special price ($79).
The figure, as we expected, is higher in this case but is still in line with the speech made just now about the quality / price ratio.
If you are a professional who does not accept compromises, looking for more flexibility, without neglecting the creative part, this version will surely be for you.
I would like to have, in the Pro version, the compensation section, present instead in the standard version, so as to have a more complete product.
You can try these plugins for a limited time, make sure you have them installed iLok License Manager on your computer.
I have not had the opportunity to try, in a capillary way, all the other software of the brand but, at first glance, I had positive feelings. We will try to find out more about this brand, perhaps in a future article ...
Also for today we have finished, I give you an appointment at the next review.
Joseph Marrazzo
Links for further information on the technology used for the realization of this plugin, the list of emulated devices, and the listening situations (I suggest you also consult the manuals).
https://shop.audified.com/products/mixchecker https://shop.audified.com/products/mixchecker-pro https://shop.audified.com/pages/history
