Noisebud Releases PER v1.6.10 - Free Blind Listening Test App for macOS and Windows
Noisebud has released PER v1.6.10, a free blind listening test application for macOS and Windows.
PER is designed to make it faster and easier to compare different mixes, masters, or processing chains without knowing which version is playing.
The workflow is intentionally simple: load the audio files, choose a LUFS target, and start listening. PER analyzes and normalizes the files before the test starts, then hides the file identities so the user can compare the versions using only the Listen buttons.
The goal is to make blind listening tests quick enough that they actually get used. Instead of building a DAW session, hiding tracks, renaming files, routing things around, or trying to avoid looking at the screen, PER is focused on getting the test running with as little setup as possible.
After each listen, the user rates the current version from 1 to 6. When the selected number of ratings per file has been completed, PER shows a ranked result with average scores and the original LUFS-I values.
PER can be used for comparing different masters of the same song, comparing mixes, letting band members vote on different versions independently, checking whether a louder version is actually preferred, or testing processing chains without knowing which one is which.
The latest version includes several updates:
- The version number is now shown directly in the interface.
- The previous 8-file limit has been removed.
- PER can now normalize ratings for a fairer result.
- Rating normalization can be turned off in Settings.
- A New button has been added to clear the current test and start over.
- A confirmation step has been added before moving to the next round.
- An Intel Mac build is now available.
PER also includes a project export function, making it possible to send the same blind listening test to someone else. Exported PER projects include the audio files, so they should only be shared when the user has the right to share the audio and trusts the recipient.
A video showing the first version of PER is available here. A few more features have been added since the video was made, but it still shows the basic idea and workflow:
Availability & Pricing
PER is free, but it requires that you follow Noisebud's Patreon campaign. You do not need to be a paying member to use it.
When PER starts, the user enters an email address in the application. PER then checks whether that email is connected to a Patreon account following Noisebud. If the user stops following the campaign, PER will eventually stop working.
