RECORDING September 2022 - 56

-Review by Bill Stunt
MixCheAudified
cker Pro
Check your mixes in the real world
from the comfort of your studio
MixChecker Pro from Audified is a reference plugin that
lets you hear your mixes on a wide range of listening devices
in various environments. The extensively configurable plugin
even has an accompanying app that enables you to control it
remotely. With a smartphone in hand, you can get out of the
sweet spot for a more accurate real-world listening experience.
Device Advice
Kicking off the plugin, across the top you will find a series
of drop-down menus and options for presets, the manual, updates,
support and more. There are also multiple zoom options
for sizing the GUI (Graphical User Interface).
Immediately below the menu bar, there are 12 buttons. Each
is associated with a specific type of listening device. There
are 60 individual devices from 12 categories from which to
choose. They range from studio monitors to headphones and
earbuds. Other choices include tablets, computers, vehicles,
smartphones, etc. You can assign them to slots individually in
Edit mode or with conveniently grouped sets of devices.
The Mastering set encompasses a range of studio monitors,
high-end headphones, etc. The Solid Low End set references
things like sub-equipped PAs, DJ headphones and vehicle
sound systems. The On the Go set features headphones, earbuds
and handheld devices, while the Home Devices collection
offers a selection of television speakers, computer monitors and
smart speakers. You can customize the device order by dragging
and dropping the icons to the desired location. Also, the
MixChecker Pro allows you to create and save your own sets
of devices to suit your needs and workflow.
Multiple Choice
Each device type also offers multiple options. For instance,
there are eight studio monitors from which to choose, identified
by size and design era. There are several PA speaker setups,
and you can select simulations corresponding to the listeners'
position in the venue. The laptop speaker options include laptop
size and color indicators that suggest the manufacturer.
You can configure the stereo width, amount of distortion and
the volume of each device. Then, save all the above settings
with custom labels for easy recall.
56 RECORDING September 2022
Hey Now, What's
that Sound?
MixChecker Pro includes
noise loops that can be blended
with your mix to add environmental
verisimilitude. There are
various
exterior
sounds
captured
in streets, parks, subways,
etc. Interior environments include bars, malls and vehicles [Angry
parent, yelling at the kids to turn it down, not included].
The plugin has an Auto function that automatically scrolls at
a user-set pace through the loaded device set. Rounding out the
controls is a large Bypass button and a configurable Mono toggle.
Ear Buds on a Subway
Considering the plethora of audio-capable devices available,
checking your mix on multiple monitors and devices is essential.
Despite owning and using three sets of good studio monitors, my
car sound system sometimes gets the final say when a mix is done.
I've tweaked mixes after hearing them on my MacBook speakers.
Having a convenient way to extend the variety of reference devices
and the listening situation is a godsend. I have to say, hearing
what a mix might sound like on a pair of earbuds while riding on
a subway is pretty cool and more than a little useful.
This simulated device set is well chosen. The various Studio
Monitor choices correspond closely to typical near-field monitors,
both vintage and modern. As they should be, the PA
systems are big and bottom-heavy. The variety of headphone
simulations correspond to designs with which you are probably
familiar, and they all give you a different picture of your mix.
Remote
The inclusion of remote control is brilliant. Being able to
move out of the sweet spot and move around as you listen to a
mix through various devices can be revealing. After all, most
people aren't listening with their heads perfectly aligned in an
equal-sided triangle with their chosen listening device.
There is also an original, now light version of MixChecker,
offering a simplified feature set.
MixChecker Pro can help you in your quest to craft mixes
that sound great no matter on what they're played. That's pretty
much the goal, isn't it?
Price: $145 MixChecker Pro; $79 MixChecker
More From: audified.com (USA Contact: 11dmedia.com)
http://audified.com http://11dmedia.com
RECORDING September 2022

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