tada...
(puts on the sunglasses, like Gidge & Dr. Stool (er... Stawl))
A most interesting test. There must be at least 10 excuses those who have guessed wrong could use, chief among them could have been the performance on #2 (oops... I missed two notes in the arpeggios
)
Another could be the encoded MP3, or the format itself (Lame 3.92, w/dbPower Amp front end).
Another might be some unseen failing on my part, other than performance.
Another could be the lack of adequate monitors/room to listen to the files (hmmm...)
Another could be not knowing what to listen for.
And last (but not least
) the undue influence of previous posters
File #1 was the RNP; File #2 was the DMP3
There was no subterfuge; I didn't purposely create a poor performance to mislead, or anything. The DMP3 performance was because my left hand started cramping up--could barely get thru it without flamming... had to really, REALLY squeeze to keep it going...
Meb, StevenLindsey & Middleman... you're right
(although Middleman started doubting his ears
)
chessrock was there, right off the bat too; but then blew it by covering his bases
(he managed to get back there... with his "that's what I was thinking" comment)
I think people imagined I was trying to make the RNP look bad by creating a slightly poorer performance in the second file--why, I don't know. This test really proves nothing, as some people have noted. IMO more substatial and important tests would involve using multiple stacked tracks in a mix.
I also believe some people thought #2 was more "whole" because the volume was slightly higher... NOT an inconsistency; it's the direct result of micing at the exact same distance. Both tracks' levels were set so that during setup, they peaked around -2db.
ozraves obviously has nothing but contempt for my playing ability
(maybe our friend jet-rocker is in the same ship
)
Sorry I couldn't say it was #2, Al.
--
If the results will make you reject, out of hand, any further tests done by me... I'll understand. I'm human, and I'm sure you could pick everything I've done apart somehow. Care was taken to reproduce everything exactly for each pre; but in the end, I couldn't make two performances EXACTLY alike to save my life.
Thanks for checking it out; it was fun. If you'd still like
a VTB1 vs. RNP (vocals; guitar amp; bass DI) that could be arranged.
Chad