[62ohm]

Not sure if this has been posted before, but I found this blog with an app to train your listening skill.
 

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Welcome to How to Listen!

 

 
Overview
How to Listen is a desktop software application developed by the Harman International R&D group for the purpose of training and selecting listeners used in audio product research, development, and testing. The software consists of a number of training exercises where different kinds of timbral, spatial and dynamic distortions commonly found within the recording and audio chains are simulated and added to music. 
 
The listener’s task is to identify, classify or rate these distortions according to a number of well-defined perceptual attributes and scales. The software automatically adjusts the difficulty of each training task based on the listener’s performance. 
 
We are happy to offer a free beta version of this software to audio enthusiasts in the hope that they will use it to improve their critical listening skills and appreciation for high quality sound reproduction. Enjoy!
 
 
Features

1. Supports 2-channel stereo and multichannel wav files (up to 24 bit, 96 kHz)
2. includes Session and Practice Modes
3. Currently supports two training tasks (more will be added in the next release) that include the following:

Band Identification

1. 1. Peaks, Dips, Peaks & Dips, Low and High pass filters

Attribute Task

1. 1. Bright-Dull
   2. Full-Thin
   3. Coloration
   4. Reverberation
   5. Noisy/Noise-free
   6. Hum/Hum-free
   7. Left/Right Balance (stereo mode)
   8. Front/Rear Balance (surround mode)

 
More information about  How to Listen can be found here.
 
Download How to Listen You can download public release versions of How to Listen for Mac OS X and Windows OS computers below.  A copy of the user’s manual (PDF) can be downloaded separately here.  


Main features/fixes in version 2.04
1. Windows - The noise and hum attribute tests are now working.
2. Mac - The noise and hum attribute tests are now working.
3. Known Issues -  For Mac and Windows you may need to manually change the permissions to read/write in the Application Folder and Application Data and Support folders. (See the section "Manually Setting Folder Permissions"  on page 6 of the user manual ) After updating to version 2.04 from 2.03,  make sure you create a new username account when logging in the first time (see section "Update from an Older Version of How to Listen" on page 7 of the user manual.)
 
 
Download Links:
 
Windows: https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B97zTRsdcJTfNWEyNzhhOTctYTk2ZC00NDI2LWFlMmQtZmEyNjExNjE3MWI3&sort=name&layout=list&num=50 
Mac: https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B97zTRsdcJTfZTU3MGE3YjgtOWVmOS00ZTFjLThmNWItNjQ1YTZiMjY1ZTdj&sort=name&layout=list&num=50 
 
 
 
Source: http://harmanhowtolisten.blogspot.co.nz/

 

[bigshot]

Interesting. I'll check this out. Thanks!

 

[Modular]

Wow, do I really want to train myself to be more critical or should I enjoy my ignorant bliss?!

 

[62ohm]

Wow, do I really want to train myself to be more critical or should I enjoy my ignorant bliss?!

 
That is the question, isn't it? 

 

[Ra97oR]

It seems very easy up till about level 6, then you really start to have to listen instead of taking split second to get the right one. I like the brightness and band identification one most, relaxing and interesting or challenging but rewarding on the other end. 

 

[proton007]

What, no version for Linux?

 

[62ohm]

  What, no version for Linux?

 
Doesn't seem like it

 

[kraken2109]

Fun little tester.

 

[ahille1234]

Thank you for posting this. I've been looking for something like this for a while.