MeterPlugs Perception AB is a powerful mixing and mastering plugin designed to eliminate the “loudness deception” that often plagues audio engineers. This innovative tool allows users to make accurate, level-matched comparisons between processed and unprocessed audio, ensuring that decisions are based on genuine improvements rather than perceived loudness differences. Perception AB works by inserting two instances of the plugin – one before the processing chain (Pre) and one after (Post). With a simple click, users can match levels and toggle between the Pre and Post audio, comparing the effects of their processing with full delay compensation. The plugin’s interface is clean and intuitive, featuring clickable Pre and Post panels instead of a traditional bypass button. Perception AB offers multiple loudness matching modes and is optimized for both mixing and mastering workflows. It supports various plugin formats, including VST, AU, and AAX, making it compatible with most digital audio workstations on both Windows and Mac platforms.
Pros:
• Automatic loudness matching eliminates bias in audio comparisons
• Zero-latency operation with full plugin delay compensation
• Bulk insertion and Shift-click functionality for efficient mixing workflows
• Supports external analog gear comparisons
• Lightweight on CPU resources
Cons:
• Relatively high price point compared to some alternatives
• Lack of custom instance labeling options
• Potential issues with tracks containing minimal audio content
Perception AB boasts an impressive array of features designed to streamline the mixing and mastering process. At its core, the plugin offers instant, automatic loudness matching between Pre and Post processing stages. This functionality allows engineers to make unbiased decisions about their audio processing, free from the influence of volume-related psychoacoustic effects. The plugin’s zero-latency operation is a significant improvement over its predecessor, eliminating waiting times for playback to start and ensuring seamless switching between Pre and Post audio. This feature is particularly crucial in professional environments where time efficiency is paramount.
Perception AB introduces a new “Bypass All” function, optimized for mixing scenarios. This powerful feature enables users to bypass their entire mix with a single click, providing a global perspective on processing decisions. The plugin also offers multiple loudness matching modes, catering to different mixing and mastering preferences.
The bulk insertion capability is a standout feature, allowing users to quickly add Perception AB to multiple tracks simultaneously. This is complemented by the Shift-click functionality, which enables control of multiple plugin instances from a single interface. These features combine to create a highly efficient workflow, especially in complex mixing situations.
Perception AB includes full plugin delay compensation, ensuring that comparisons remain time-aligned even when dealing with processing chains that introduce latency. This feature extends to external analog gear, making it possible to perform accurate A/B tests with outboard equipment.
The plugin offers two types of Post instances: Post Master and Post Channel. Post Master instances function similarly to the original Perception plugin, while Post Channel instances are tailored for mixing applications. This dual functionality makes Perception AB versatile across various audio production scenarios.
Perception AB’s user interface has been redesigned for improved clarity and ease of use. The removal of the traditional bypass button in favor of clickable Pre and Post panels streamlines the user experience. The plugin also features clear visual feedback, with controls greying out when analysis is incomplete, preventing user errors.
In terms of compatibility, Perception AB supports a wide range of plugin formats, including VST, AU, and AAX. This ensures that the plugin can be used across most popular digital audio workstations on both Windows and Mac operating systems.
When compared to similar plugins, Perception AB stands out for its comprehensive feature set and optimization for both mixing and mastering workflows. While tools like MetricAB focus primarily on comparing reference tracks, Perception AB excels at comparing dry and wet processing within a signal chain. Unlike simpler gain-matching plugins, Perception AB offers more advanced features such as automatic loudness matching, plugin delay compensation, and the ability to bypass entire processing chains. Compared to its predecessor, Perception v1, the AB version offers significant improvements in terms of latency, flexibility, and mixing-oriented features. However, it’s worth noting that Perception AB no longer includes the snapshot capability found in the original version. Other alternatives like TBProAudio’s ABLM2 or Hornet’s GainMatch offer similar functionality at lower price points but may lack some of the more advanced features and workflow optimizations found in Perception AB.
This plugin is best for:
• Professional mixing and mastering engineers seeking accurate, unbiased comparisons
• Audio producers working on complex projects with multiple processing chains
• Engineers who frequently work with both digital and analog gear
• Educators teaching critical listening skills in audio production
MeterPlugs Perception AB represents a significant advancement in the realm of audio comparison tools. Its ability to eliminate loudness deception through automatic level matching, combined with features like zero-latency operation and full plugin delay compensation, makes it an invaluable asset for serious audio professionals. The plugin’s dual optimization for both mixing and mastering workflows, along with its efficient bulk insertion and Shift-click functionality, sets it apart from many competitors. While the price point may be a consideration for some users, the time-saving potential and improved decision-making capabilities offered by Perception AB can easily justify the investment for many audio professionals. The plugin’s clean, intuitive interface and lightweight CPU usage further enhance its appeal. Despite minor limitations such as the lack of custom instance labeling, Perception AB stands as a powerful tool for anyone seeking to make more informed, unbiased decisions in their audio production process.