In this week's Free Plug-in, we are featuring HOFA 4U+ BlindTest, which enables you to objectively compare plugins from inside your DAW.
What Is HOFA 4U+ BlindTest?
There's a joke that goes "that plugin you've been messing with for the last 10 minutes has been in bypass mode." It's funny because at one time or another we've all done that, thought we could hear the difference our adjustments were making only to find it was in bypass.
There are many ways our minds can convince us a plugin is different or better when it isn’t. The GUI can play a part, the volume difference, the fact we want to buy it or have already bought it can play a role in our reasoning.
Now HOFA has come up with their version of the blind test, hoping to give the listener as objective a test as is possible, even better there is a FREE version in all popular formats including VST, AU, AAX and RTAS. This is what HOFA say about their 4U Blindtest plugin;
We often get distracted by appearance or names: we think we hear differences that do not exist – simply beacuse of the connection between visual and auditory perceptions. Therefore, we unconsciously often compare the expectations we have of a product, rather than the actual sound character.
In order to avoid this problem, we have developed a reliable blind test, so you can concentrate on what is important: the sound!
Simply insert 4U+ BlindTest as the last plugin on every track that you want to compare. The track that is SOLO’d in 4U+ BlindTest will play. All other tracks are muted.
Click on “Shuffle” to anonymise the tracks and put them in a random order. Now you can switch between the signals to compare them objectively. Assign a rating from 0 to 5 and write down comments about your aural impression. The names of the tracks can then be revealed again.
You can use the shuffle mode multiple times. This way you an average, creating your personal sound study. The comments can be displayed together, so you can compare whether your aural impressions were the same every time.
All HOFA 4U+ BlindTest plugins are linked, so you only need to have one user interface opened.
HOFA are not the first to come up with this idea but this plugin is excellent and given there is a free version a really great find.
How Do I Get This Plug-in?
Use the button below to go to the HOFA website, click on the Download & Test button, not the BUY Now button.
The Download & Test button will take you to the download page for the HOFA-Plugins Manager.
You will need to provide an email address and then you will be offered links to download Online or online versions for either macOS or Windows. Choose the appropriate installer, and download and install the HOFA plugins Manager.
Once you have opened the HOFA-Plugins Manager, scroll down to the HOFA Freeware section at the bottom of the list and Select HOFA 4U+ BlindTest.
At the very bottom of the window select which versions of the plugin you want, VST, VST3, AU or Pro Tools and Click Install.
A Floating Window will pop up, click the Start button, Accept the License Agreement and the software will download.
The Installer will then ask for permission to install the software, approve and the software will be installed.
Note that although purchased software will need to be activated the free HOFA software does not need to be activated. Click the Done button and then you can use the software.
If you like it and you need to compare more than 3 tracks then you can buy the full version from the HOFA-Plugins Manager.
HOFA 4U+ BlindTest is available as VST/VST3/AU & AAX Plug-Ins for Windows & macOS. No iLok required.