A critically trained ear is really something that's only attained after years of real-world experience. However, if you want to get a jump start on developing your aural palette, or you'd just like to find out what state your own listening skills are in, Auricula Ear-Training Plugins offer a unique crash-course in audio analysis.

The Auricula quiz-style ear-training software operates as AU plugins. In a nutshell, you load them into a preexisting DAW session, and the programs non-destructive affect an audible change to your mix. You are then presented with a multiple choice matrix, and asked to determine what exactly the software just changed. Sure, this is a pedagogy of "teaching for the test," but because it makes use of session with which the quiz subject will already be familiar, there is a bit of a real-world angle to the proceedings.

The Auricula Ear Training Software comes in five different flavors with simply nonsensical names:

• Helix: EQ training using five filter types over a ten octave range
• Helix Pro: advanced EQ training narrows the examined frequncy band to 1/3 an octave
• Stapes: time delay (echo / reverb) training
• Malleus: gain training; learn to identify decibel change increments
• Incus: stereo field training; learn to identify phase problems, left- or right-heavy mixes, sum to mono issues, etc

The complete suite of Auricula training courses is available for a measly $8.99. Imagine: an education without a co-signer!