We thought it would be fun to have a blind mastering taste-test. 
 
In the test, you'll find an original pre-master, and 6 masters:
1 mastered by a prominent mastering house/engineer in NYC;
2 mastered by different intensity settings in LANDR; and
3 mastered by Cakewalk staff using various plug-in suites.
 
We're curious which one you think sounds best. Head to http://blog.cakewalk.com/landr-blind-taste-test/ and vote for your favorite of these 6 masters. We'll release the results in about two weeks and let you know which one you chose!

This is a great idea

I won't get a chance for a proper listen for a while but I hope people listen with open minds - as well as open ears

As with most things "music" there is rarely a right or wrong - just subjective taste

It will be really interesting to hear the differences (or not!?!?)

Will be doing this test soon.

Cool! I hope this does not tell me how bad my ears are
All the best.

Just submitted by choice and comments on each version.

 
I actually prefer the pre-master for its intimacy and its "in my livingroom" immediacy.
 
I recognize that this is a pop song and has to meet certain (current) criteria because of this, so I voted for one of the mastered tracks just the same.
 
The tracks aren't equal loudness-wise and I had to adjust the volume on each track to get a similar sound for comparison.

I like #3 the best.

This is a great idea and I'm very curious to see the "winner". They all have very different characteristics.

I like the pre master the best also. LOL. Of the mastered versions it's a toss up between 2 and 4 for me. They both retain to character of the pre master and although they are not as loud I prefer to hear the dynamics.

Tom Riggs
I like the pre master the best also. LOL. Of the mastered versions it's a toss up between 2 and 4 for me. They both retain to character of the pre master and although they are not as loud I prefer to hear the dynamics.

If we're unveiling our choices, I picked 4.  It was the most laid-back of the bunch, but had to be turned up to match the others.  The others were too much in my face in various ways.