PScope is an AudioUnit for MacOS X that emulates a Lissajous-pattern XY scope. By looking at the shape the stereo signal makes when plotted in this way, it can be determined whether one of the channels has reversed polarity, or whether the phase differences between left and right channels will cause a summed mono signal to have too much unwanted cancellation.
PScope uses OpenGL to offload graphics processing onto your hardware accelerated graphics card, giving it completely smooth response even when running along side a multitude of processor-hungry plug-ins like Waves LinMBs or Altiverbs. Even when the internal meters on your mixing application's channel strips begin to choke, PScope will continue to run as smoothly as an external analog scope would.
PScope is released free to the public as "email-ware." That is to say, if you like it, drop me an email or IM and let me know someone's using it. If you don't like it, drop me an email and tell me what it needs to be better.
"I really like your stereo phase scope, stereo displayed the way it used to be in a completely comprehendable format. Well done." - Scott Fraser, Sound Designer / Kronos Quartet
MacABX is a program for MacOS X that allows the user to do scientifically based double-blind testing between two audio clips. After loading a clip as "A" and a second clip as "B" the program will randomly choose either A or B to be the "X" clip. The user may then play A, B, or X repeatedly in order to decide whether X is A or X is B. By repeating this test 15-20 times, it can be determined whether the user can truly discern any difference between the two clips.
The most common use of MacABX is to determine what bitrate one might want to use when ripping CDs. Depending on hearing ability and sound playback equipment, some users may be satisfied with 128kbps mp3, whereas others may need 192kbps AAC or greater in order to become indistinguishable from the original CD. The advantage of using a utility like MacABX to make this determination, rather than just playing the different clips in iTunes, is that the user's preconceptions cannot factor into the results.
A secondary use for MacABX is for technical ear training. By practicing ABX trials between extremely similar clips every one or two days, the ability to hear subtle effects like EQ differences or low amounts of distortion can be developed. This is useful to anyone involved in sound recording or mixing.
MacABX is available free to the public as "email-ware." That is to say, if you like it, drop me an email or IM and let me know someone's using it. If you don't like it, drop me an email and tell me what it needs to be better.
Download MacABX v1.0
(MacABX requires MacOS X 10.3 or greater)
Visit Arny Krueger's PCABX site where you can find files to compare codecs and train your ears.