In the jargon of audio engineers, to "A/B" means to compare two different things to each other. For example, when you shop for stereo speakers, you make an "A/B" comparison when you use the store's button-selector to switch back and forth to find out if the $300 "A" speakers sound similar to the $700 "B" speakers. In the recording studio, you might test whether or not your recorded mix has the sonic quality you want by making an "A/B" comparison between your mix and your favorite CD.

The process of recording is so complex; how do you figure out what you need to do to get the sound you want? Should you change the format of recorder you're using? Change the mixer, mics or preamps? Alter the acoustics of your room? Try different wiring or instruments? Revisit other elements of production?

The A/B CD offers a tool to help you answer those questions.
The A/B CD takes the complete recording process and breaks it down to its individual components. Within each component, it compares the actual sounds of commonly used equipment and production choices like "analog vs. digital" to each other. The A/B CD allows you to hear and decide for yourself what things make a big difference and what things make little difference in a recording's sonic quality.

The A/B CD volume 1 is comprehensive. Because a recording is only as strong as its weakest link, volume 1 offers the listener numerous insights about the qualitative and quantitative inherent sonic influence of every link in the recording chain. Do the types of mics used make more of a difference than the type of recorder? Listen and decide for yourself what components of the recording chain make the biggest difference then listen and decide which types of those components make the most or little difference in the final outcome of the recording:

• The recording equipment (recorders, mixers, wires, compressors, tubes, solid state, microphones, etc.)
• The acoustics of the recording room
• The musician's instruments
• "Elements Of Production" such as the arrangement of a song and the execution of the arrangement.

Some topics of discussion addressed with The A/B CD:

• Can a home computer with stock -10db RCA audio inputs make a recording that rivals a professional modular digital multitrack recorder with +4db balanced inputs?
• Does a $3000 microphone sound much better than a $100 microphone?
• Can two different designs of recording gear with virtually identical written specifications sound that much different from each other?
• What components of recording make the biggest difference in the sonic quality of the finished product?
• Can a home recording studio sound "bigger" than a commercial studio with 16' ceilings and state of the art equipment?
• Should your band spend the extra money to record on 2" analog tape or save it and record on digital?
• Does a $100 guitar cable sound better than a $20 cable?

Some benefits available with The A/B CD:

• Complements written opinion regarding the sonic qualities of recording technologies
• Assists in audio production choices and equipment purchasing decisions
• Archives the sonic qualities of current multimedia technologies for future reference.
• Alleviates pre-conceived notions about recording.
• Provides a perfect accompaniment to any audio engineering course.

The A/B CD Specification:

• All of the comparisons were done under controlled and repeatable conditions
• Equipment comparisons were done more than once, using a totally different style of musical instrumentation
• Comparison consists of comparing something the listener would be familiar with to something the listener might not be familiar with - usually by using a benchmark or reference piece of equipment.
  
• The equipment is compared using sparse and complex multitrack arrangements
• The order of A/B comparison is sometimes reversed to allow for an objective listening. "B/A" identifications can be found at the bottom of page 15 of The A/B CD booklet.