Requirements

PDF reader, Student, and DAW requirements (disk space approximated)

PDF reader information and requirements

  • Web browser PDF readers (and some brands of PDF readers) will not play the 16 bit, 44.1k WAV sounds embedded in our PDFs
  • We recommend the free Foxit PDF Reader available here:  https://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf-reader/ (Windows, Mac, iOS and Android)
  • Up to 1.3 gigabytes of disc space and PDF online connectivity
  • Your PDF can be stored on up to two of your personal devices, but is not to be uploaded to any cloud or library retrieval systems

Student requirements 

  • An understanding of engineering terms such as EQ, compression, Hz, dB, and limiter
  • An understanding of music theory terms such as 1/4 note, measure, chorus, major chord and minor chord
  • Headphones

DAW and student requirements for The Audio A/B Machine, Mixing + Mastering, and The A/B CD DAW file:

  • Up to 1 gigabyte of disc space per DAW file
  • Cubase 8 or Pro Tools 10
  • A 96 kHz DAW interface
  • A computer that can play 64 tracks of 96 kHz audio
  • A functional understanding of your DAW’s operation that includes recording, playback, and the ability to locate a project’s audio folder
  • The ability to download, install and operate plug-ins
  • Knowledge of the “bounce selection” process in Cubase (“consolidate tracks” in Pro Tools)
  • The Audio A/B Machine requires the free* audio analyzer plug-ins listed here:

Cubase

Izotope’s Ozone* (The free demo version works for this)
Voxengo’s “SPAN”
(Cubase includes “MultiScope”)

Pro Tools

Izotope’s Ozone* (The free demo version works for this)
Melda Production’s “M-Analyzer”
Blue Cat Audio’s “Oscilloscope Multi”

*The Ozone demo inserts silence but its meters used by The Audio A/B Machine stay visible. You can use other meter and oscilloscope plug-ins so long as they have the same functions and resolutions. The Audio A/B Machine “Advanced Comparisons” require an intermediate level of engineering experience or an educator’s supervision. The advanced comparisons may also require a multi-output interface, SPL meter, speaker and ear protection (when using the test tones), an external stereo recorder, and/or two mics that have passed the included matched mic test.

The Origins of Sound Qualities audio course – requirements page.

A/B affiliate program