Using Speaker Impulse Responses for Mix Portability

When mixing and/or mastering for distribution via mp3, I generally want the mix to be reasonably portable – sure it sounds good on the monitors, but how about an ancient boom box, car stereo, and the modern ipod litmus test?

It seems like people deal with this in a number of ways: keep an inventory of playback systems in the studio (doesn’t work for me – I’m going for a very light-weight and minimal gear setup these days); dash about, to various playback systems and listening environments (probably the most authentic – but the time lag between trying a new eq setting and hearing the results is brutal).

I’m still dashing – but I started using the following technique to mix for portability:

First, get an audio unit or vst (I’m on a Mac) that has relatively flexible support for handling impulse responses. I really like the following, it’s easy to use, it’s functionality is general, it sounds good, and it’s stable:

LAConvolver from Lernvall Audio 

 

Second, download this fantastic set of Speaker impulse responses:

Impulse Responses by Fokke van Saane

 

Put LAConvolver as the last plugin on your Mix buss, and start auditioning your mix with a number of captured speakers and environments (Car radio, Small boom box, Tube radio (?!), Intercom speaker (?!), and so on)!