Alright… ran the same 3-track test again after updating to firmware 1.0.1.81.
Same songs, same sections, stock tuning. No EQ.
This is the after.
Kick Drum Test (Billie Jean – Michael Jackson)
First few seconds… just the kick.
Before, I thought I was hearing an “echo” or lingering effect.
After replaying it carefully post-update:
- Kick hits quick and rhythmic
- More like: boom…tsk, boom…tsk
- Less of that “dragging tail” feeling
And here’s the realization:
That “echo” was mostly the isolation of the kick in the mix. Not necessarily bad tuning. Everything else comes in cleanly after, and stays separated.
Bassline Test (Feel Good Inc. – Gorillaz)
This was already good before… still good, but now easier to notice why.
- Bassline feels steady and shaped (thum-da-thummm) Guitar comes in after, clearly separate. Nothing shifts or collapses when the mix gets busy
Big moment: I started hearing background vocals (Noodle) more clearly. That wasn’t obvious to me before
That tells me:
The space in the mix is easier to hear into
Vocal + Bass Test (Ex-Factor – Lauryn Hill)
This is where the update clicked for me. The bass feels more present in the mix, but Lauryn’s vocals stay front and center. Even adlibs remain clear and untouched.
That’s the key: the bass came forward, the vocals did NOT move back.
The Real Takeaway (AFTER UPDATE)
This update doesn’t dramatically change the sound.
It does something more subtle: it makes the bass feel more confident and intentional. Not just sitting there, but actually showing up in the mix without messing up anything else.
Translation
Before:
- Bass = good, but sometimes felt loose or inconsistent
After:
- Bass = more defined, more present, more predictable
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What Changed (in real terms)
- Kick drums → feel more rhythmic than lingering
- Basslines → feel clearer and easier to follow
- Sub-bass → clean layering, especially on tracks like James Blake
- Vocals → unchanged (still strong, still forward)
Final Ratings (AFTER UPDATE)
- Bass presence: 4 → 4.5 / 5
- Bass control: 3.5 → 4.5 / 5
- Separation: 4.5 → 5 / 5
- Vocal clarity: 5 / 5 (unchanged, which is a good sign)
- Overall refinement: 4.5 / 5
Summary:
Same sound… just a more confident low end.
Not a night-and-day update.
But across multiple tracks, it adds up.
Curious what others are hearing after the update 👀
